Master’s Program in Environmental Sciences,
Graduate School, University of Tsukuba
1. Outline of the Master’s Program in Environmental Sciences
The Master’s Program in Environmental Sciences was founded in 1977 to provide opportunities of advanced education for graduates as well as further education for professionals already in a career. Applicants come from a variety of undergraduate disciplines, and there is a broad representation from persons in natural, social, and human sciences.
About seventy faculty members offer a diversity of courses, which reflect the interdisciplinary nature of environmental science. The curriculum is adjusted according to the following ideas: integration of disciplines and practices based on environmental knowledge, strategic learning through a variety of exercises and project-oriented research, and completion of qualified talents and refreshed careers conducive to resolution of environmental issues.
Students first learn four required subjects to view human environments. Next they select one of the three fields: Environmental Analysis (geo- and bio-sciences), Environmental Re-Creation (environmental control and improvement), and Environmental Synthesis (environmental policy and planning). The elective subjects are categorized under each of these three fields. In addition to the above course works, students devote efforts to their own research under the guidance of academic advisors. Besides this individual research theme for their master’s thesis, participation in already prepared trans-disciplinary collaborative research projects for practical application is also available. The University of Tsukuba awards the Master’s Degree of Environmental Sciences to the graduates who acquire the prescribed credits and pass the final examination of the master’s thesis.
2. The Special Program for JDS
The Special Program for Japanese Grant Aid for Human Resource Development Scholarship (hereafter, JDS Program) is a two-year program and taught in English, which is integrated into the curriculum of the Master’s Program in Environmental Sciences. This Program welcomes international participants having interested in studying and making research on environmental policy and other relevant fields. Participants of the program will be in the course of the environmental policy and planning studies. Participants will be awarded the degree of Master’s of Science in Environmental Sciences.
(1) Outline of the JDS Program
| PROGRAM TITLE | Environmental Policy |
|
DURATION |
August 1, 2007 to July 31, 2009(The standard time to complete this program is two years, however, exceptional students may be able to complete the degree in less time.) |
|
LANGUAGE |
English |
|
TARGET GROUPS |
Officers and/or specialists of central/local governments and/or project managers of relevant organizations. |
|
EXPECTED RESULTS |
Capacity building for better environmental management, policy design and decision making:1. Appropriate survey techniques and data collection methods for screening and scoping of actual environmental problems2. State-of-the-art and basic methodologies and skills for analyzing the mechanism and systems of environmental problems,3. Better environmental management strategy, policy design, decision making, and public involvement, etc through a number of field studies of Japanese cases |
(2) Training Program Contents
Program participants are required to complete the compulsory courses and the elective courses of the curriculum. Totaling 30 credits are required to take from the following categories.
(a) Fundamental subjects (compulsory) (7 credits)
(b) Seminars and research (compulsory) (11 credits)
(c) Environmental study subjects (electives)
(d) Related subjects offered by other divisions (electives)
|
Category of Subjects |
Total Credit |
Subjects Title (Number of Credit) |
|
(1) Fundamental subjects (compulsory) |
7 credits from the following 4 subjects |
l JDS environmental science (2) l JDS circular environmental science (2) l JDS symbiosis environmental science (2) l Field and laboratory works on environmental sciences (1) |
|
(2) Seminars and Research paper (compulsory) |
11 credits from the following 3 subjects |
l Seminars in environmental sciences (2)
l Special seminars in environmental sciences (3) l Special research in environmental sciences (6) |
|
(3)Environmental study subjects (electives) |
The following subjects are offered by the Master’s Program in Environmental Sciences. l Environmental policy evaluation (2) l Circular environmental systems (2) l Conservation of tropical forests (2) l International environmental policy (2) l Watershed management (2) l Cultural ecology (2) l Natural areas planning (2) |
|
|
(4)Related subjects offered by other divisions and programs, etc. (electives) |
The following subjects are offered by the group training program: sustainable rural development. l Farming system (2) l Conservation of soil resources (2) l Agricultural & forestry technology & extension (2) l Rural development policy & planning (2)l Basic plant biotechnology (2)l Environmental remediation technology (2)l Appropriate use of genetic resources (2) l Conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity (1) l Ethics, legal and social implication on science and technology (1)
The following subjects are offered by the special program for JDS, Master’s Program in Area Studies. l International relations (2) l International politics (2) l International development (2) l International public policy in education (2) l Comparative international public policy (2) l Comparative public policy in foreign affairs (2) l Public policy for social development (2)
The following subjects are offered by the Graduate School of Systems and Information Engineering. l Urban and regional planning (2) l Environmental economic policy (2) l Urban and environmental politics (2) |
(3) Requirement for Application
(For details, please see “applicant’s guideline” of your country.)
(i) Eligibility requirements (The applicant must meet one of the following requirements)
1) The applicant who already holds a Bachelor’s degree.
2) The applicant who has completed 16 years of formal education or its equivalent outside
Japan.
3) The applicant regarded to be equivalent to Bachelor’s degree holders by the graduate school of theUniversity of
Tsukuba. Eligibility of applicants will be examined by the prescribed forms if necessary.
(ii) Furthermore, the applicant must:
1) Not be Japanese citizen.
2) Have more than five-year experience working for government or relevant organizations, etc.
3) Be willing to work as a specialist of environmental policy in the government or organization.
4) Be employed, and has a permission for applying to this JDS program by the current employer.
5) Be under 45 years of age.
6) Be in good heath, both physically and mentally, to undergo the training program.
7) Have excellent knowledge of English language.
(iii) AttentionProgram participants:
1) Are not allowed to change program subjects.
2) Are allowed to extend the program period.
3) Must return to their home country following the international travel schedule designated by JDS Program after finishing the program.
4) Are not allowed to engage in political activities or any form of employment.
3. Academic Calendar Reference (for JDS Program 2007-2009)(
These Calendars may be subject to modification and is not legally binding.)
Trimester II: September 2007-November 2007
|
Entrance Ceremony |
August 7th |
| Classes Begin | September 3rd |
| Foundation Day | October 1st |
| School Festival | TBA |
| Sport Day | TBA |
| Last Day of Classes | November 16th |
| Fall Break | November 27th to 30th |
Trimester III: December 2007-March 2008
|
Classes Begin |
December 3rd |
| Winter Break | December 25th to January 6th |
| Last Day of Classes | February 29th |
| Spring Break | March 8th to March 31st |
Trimester I: April 2008-June 2008
|
Classes Begin |
April 11th |
| Last Day of Classes | June 27th |
| Summer Break | July 1st to August 31st |
Trimester II: September 2008-November 2008
|
Classes Begin |
September 1st |
| Foundation Day | October 1st |
| School Festival | TBA |
| Sport Day | TBA |
| Last Day of Classes | November 16th |
Trimester III: December 2008-March 2009
|
Classes Begin |
December 3rd |
| Winter Break | December 25th to January 6th |
| Last Day of Classes | February 29th |
| Spring Break | March 8th to March 31st |
Trimester I: April 2009-June 2009
|
Classes Begin |
April 11th |
| Last Day of Classes | June 27th |
| Graduation Ceremony | July 25th |
4. Faculty of the 2007-2009 Academic Year:
(1) Environmental Analysis (geo- and bio-sciences)
|
Faculty |
Detailed Description of Research Field |
(2) Environmental Re-Creation (environmental control and improvement)
|
Faculty |
Detailed Description of Research Field |
(3) Environmental Synthesis (environmental policy and planning)
|
Faculty |
Detailed Description of Research Field |
Program URL: http://www.envr.tsukuba.ac.jp/
University Main Page: http://www.tsukuba.ac.jp/eng/edu_college.html
University Library Page: http://www.tulips.tsukuba.ac.jp/welcome.english.html
