Target Priority Area: Agriculture/ Rural Development Component: Rice Production and Agriculture Development Support Tsukuba University https://www.tsukuba.ac.jp/english/ Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences http://www.life.tsukuba.ac.jp/en/index.html 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8577, JAPAN Degrees/Credits and years you need to graduate English Exam Math Exam Number of Acceptance Application Document (i) Master in Environmental Sciences 30 Credits 2 years Not required for Ghanaian students Required 3 students per batch JDS application documents Features of University The University of Tsukuba was established in October 1973 as the first comprehensive national university in post-wwii Japan to showcase the central government s nation-wide university reform policy. Soon after its foundation in the 1970s, the University of Tsukuba became one of the nation s leading research and educational institutions. As of May 2014, the total number of undergraduate students is 9,798, and the total number of graduate students, 6,661. These represent almost 100 countries of origin. The University also has led nation s research activities. It has established nearly 30 research centers, and it has also established research collaboration with 3 national institutions, 17 government cooperative institutions, and 8 corporate research organizations. The fundamental philosophy of the University has emphasized openness, endeavoring spirit for new education/ research systems, and competency in university self-governance. It also has constantly strived for bettering its reform, innovation, and social accountability. In the last five years or so, the University has placed stronger emphasis on internationalization and competitiveness in global society by increasing a number of all-english degree programs, certificate programs, and international education/research collaboration for both Japanese and international students. Graduate School It is important to foster human resources who are capable of approaching agricultural development with a value-chain perspective by combining knowledge about breeding, integrated pest management, and soil sciences with the vision and
long-term insight for sustainability. The Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences at the University of Tsukuba will offer JDS fellows from Ghana educational guidance by renowned experts. It also will set aside a group of experts in agricultural economics and policies, disaster management, and infrastructure development for the fellows to approach this proposed development issue from multiple angles so that some innovative solution that suits the conditions of Ghana can be engendered in the process. The Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences consists of four major academic fields: agricultural sciences, biology, earth sciences, and interdisciplinary studies. It offers both basic and advanced courses. It also offers four programs in English, which provide advanced knowledge and technologies that pertain to agriculture and rural development. Graduate Program What is very distinctive about Master s Program of the University is that we offer compulsory seminar and fieldwork courses that encompass very wide-ranging topics about environmental sciences. The education process is uniquely heightened by a set of field activities, in which students learn how to examine some specific case in the field within this interconnected contest. With this basic education, students then focus on specific topics that are relevant to their research interest by taking elective courses. Sustainability Science, Technology, and Policy (SUSTEP) Program will be available for students with the aim to foster global leaders who facilitate the process of solving, mitigating, or adapting to various social and environmental problems in local, national or international setting. The graduate school has numerous opportunities for students to take part in international internships to more than 6 countries in Asia and Africa and domestic internships to more than ten destinations. Students will also have rare opportunities to meet and interact with distinguished leaders and experts from Japan and other countries in seminars or other academic meetings. Students can establish an international network that can benefit their future career development. Our educational activities for the JDS special program have focused and will focus on four major areas: (1) academic seminar, (2) field survey in Ghana, (3) internship trips in Japan, and (4) the improvement of the educational environment. In addition, Ghanaian graduates from our Program will participate in short-term internship at a private agricultural organization. Each year the Executive Committee of the Master s Program in Environmental Sciences appoints special committee members for this special program.
Curriculum as of May, 2014 The basic requirement for course work is to take 30 credits or more, including 18 compulsory courses. Most of the compulsory courses are directly relevant to thesis completion, which is also required to complete the degree. Compulsory Courses (18 credits) (a) Specialized foundation courses: Introduction to Environmental Sciences (1 credit) Exercises in Environmental Sciences (Seminar) (1 credit) Field and Laboratory Practices in Environmental Sciences (1 credit) (b) Specialized courses (15 credits from below): Seminar in Environmental Sciences 1S, 1F, 2S, 2F (1.5 credits for each) Thesis Seminar in Environmental Sciences 1F or 1S (3.0 credits) Thesis Seminar in Environmental Sciences 2S, 2F (3.0 credits for each) Elective Courses (12 credits from below) (1) Applied Environmental Ethics; (2) Climate System Study I,II; (3) Cultural Ecology; (4) Ecological Soil Resources; (5) Environmental Analytical Chemistry; (6) Environmental Field Appraisal; (7)Environmental Health Perspective; (8) Environmental Law; (9) Environmental Microbiology; (10) Environmental Policy Appraisal; (11) Environmental Science Practicum I,II,III; (12) Exercises in Environmental Sciences; (13) Field and Laboratory Practices in Environmental Sciences; (14) Integrated Water Science and Technology; (15) International Field Appraisal I, II; (16) Introduction to Environmental Disaster Prevention; (17) Introduction to Environmental Ethics; (18) Introduction to Environmental Policy; (19) Introduction to Environmental Sciences; (20) Introduction to Waste Management; (21) Introduction to Water Environment; (22) Landscape Planning; (23) Policy and Planning for Forest Conservation; (24) Prevention and Mitigation of Sediment Disaster; (25) Simulation of Environmental Policy; (26) Soil and Water Environmental Colloid Science; (27) Solid Waste Management Systems Planning; (28) Spatial Information Engineering in Environmental Science; (29) Terrestrial Ecology; (30) Utilization and Recycling of Bio-resources; (31) Vegetation Science *In alphabetical order by course title. Other Education Programs in English in the Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences (1) Bio-diplomacy Course (2) International Collaborative Expert Education Program for Sustainable Agricultural and Rural Development (3) Sustainable Science, Technology, and Policy Program (4) Professional Training Program in International Agricultural Research
Academic Schedule 2014-15 (Reference) The standard term for completion of the master's program is two years or four semesters. Followings are the academic schedule applied to JDS Fellows: ENTRANCE (October) FIRST YEAR Pre-admission guidance (curriculum, campus life, etc.) Domestic internship for all JDS fellows (September) Fall semester (October-March): Officially register academic supervisor and research topic Register and take compulsory and elective courses in English Presentation on one s research background at individual laboratory seminars Attend the annual JDS International Seminar (November-December) Participate in other JDS domestic internships/academic conferences If necessary, conduct field surveys under the guidance of one s supervisor SECOND YEAR Spring semester (April-September): New budget year JDS special program guidance for all JDS fellows Continue to take courses that are relevant to JDS fellow s research interests Presentation and thesis study on the research topic at individual laboratory seminars Join international internship (August) Participate in domestic internship for all JDS fellows (September) Fall semester (October-March): If necessary take additional elective courses Present research progress for all students and faculty members at Interim Oral Presentation (October) Present at annual JDS international seminar (November or December) Engage in thesis writing under the guidance of one s own supervisory committee
THIRD YEAR Spring semester (April-September): Completion of Special Research in Environmental Sciences Submission of thesis draft and thesis application (May) Final Presentation (June) Oral defense of the thesis (June-July) GRADUATION (August) List of Faculty Professor ASANUMA Jun* HIGANO Yoshiro* ADACHI Yasuhisa* ISODA Hiroko UEDA Hiroaki* FUKUSHIMA Takehiko* FUJIKAWA Masaki* OHSAWA Yoshiaki* MASUDA Misa* ONDA Yuichi* KUMAGAI Yoshito* SATOH Shinobu* SUGITA Michiaki* TANAKA Hiroshi* MATSUZAKI Ichiyo* ZHANG Zhen Ya* MATSUMOTO Hiroshi* TSUJIMURA Maki* NISHIMOTO Haruo* NOMOTO Shinya* HAMA Takeo* NOMURA Nobuhiko* MIYAMOTO Kuniaki* YOSHINO Kunihiko* WAKASUGI Naomi* WATANABE Kazuo* WATANABE Mamoru KAMIJO Takashi* SUEKI Keisuke* TAMURA Kenji* Associate Professor UENO Kenichi* UTSUMI Motoo* KAJIYAMA Mikio* KUSAKA Hiroyuki* NASAHARA Kenlo* HIROTA Mitsuru* HOTTA Norifumi* LEI Zhongfang* MATSUI Kenichi* HAN Junkyu MATSUSHITA Bunkei* MIZUNO Hideaki* MIZUNOYA Takeshi* MORITA Nobuaki* MURAKAMI Akinobu* YAMAJI Keiko* YABAR Helmut* WATANABE Shun* FUJII Sayaka Assistant Professor KAIDA Naoko KAWADA Kiyokazu KAWACHI Atsushi SHINKAI Yasuhiro SASAI Takahiro YAMAMOTO Sachiko YOKOI Tomoyuki TOYOFUKU Masanori Lecturer SHIMADA Akihiko Cooperative Professor OHARA Toshimasa NOHARA Keiko Cooperative Associate Professor SUGATA Seiji KOIKE Eiko NAGASHIMA Tatsuya *Potential supervisors for JDS fellows
Facilities Library Student Dormitories Mon.-Fri.(8:30-24:00) Sat. Sun.(9:00-20:00) Holiday (9:00-20:00) There are 60 student residence buildings, which can accommodate 4,000 persons. All regular students, including JDS fellows, can find a room. New students normally receive priority. As of April 2014, one-third of the residents in student housing are international students. These housing complexes are conveniently located within campus. The Campus Cafeteria Cafeteria open (9:30-19:00) Shop open (8:00-22:00) Gymnasium and Sports Facilities Includes a swimming pool, track fields and gymnasium Number of International Students and Students from Ghana International students 127 out of 606 Student from Ghana 1 Student support system * The International Student Center is one of the largest international student support facilities among national universities in Japan. It offers consultation for international students and a good range of courses on Japanese language and culture. JDS fellows will receive a faculty member, chosen through thorough matching process, who will supervise them during their studies at Tsukuba University. Bilingual staff is available at the office for support.
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