International Course of Life Sciences (ICLS)
GRADUATE SCHOOL OF LIFE SCIENCES, TOHOKU UNIVERSITY
1. Introduction
The International Course of Life Sciences (ICLS) started in October 2015. This course allows international students, who are not familiar with the Japanese language, to earn credits by taking classes in English.
The International Course of Life Sciences (ICLS) started in October 2015. This course allows international students, who are not familiar with the Japanese language, to earn credits by taking classes in English.
2. Specializations
The Graduate School of Life Sciences has updated its three specializations as of April 2018, as detailed below.
Two current themes in the life sciences are a comprehensive and integrated understanding of biological phenomena and contributions to human welfare. Our specialties are in important areas that aim to encompass both of these themes and are in areas that promise new developments.
These specialties also respond to societal and industrial needs and to building sustainable societies. They can solve problems related to the global environment, food supply, etc., and will promote better health and medical care.
At the Tohoku University Graduate School of Life Sciences, we hope to act as a central hub focusing on basic research in the life sciences, welcoming a wide range of visiting students from overseas as well as Japanese students, and training researchers who are capable of working both at home and around the world.
The Graduate School of Life Sciences has updated its three specializations as of April 2018, as detailed below.
Two current themes in the life sciences are a comprehensive and integrated understanding of biological phenomena and contributions to human welfare. Our specialties are in important areas that aim to encompass both of these themes and are in areas that promise new developments.
These specialties also respond to societal and industrial needs and to building sustainable societies. They can solve problems related to the global environment, food supply, etc., and will promote better health and medical care.
At the Tohoku University Graduate School of Life Sciences, we hope to act as a central hub focusing on basic research in the life sciences, welcoming a wide range of visiting students from overseas as well as Japanese students, and training researchers who are capable of working both at home and around the world.
(1) Integrative Life Sciences:
Focusing on the brain; understanding the systems by which cell populations control biology
(2) Ecological Developmental Adaptability Life Sciences:
Understanding complex biological phenomena from cells and individual entities through to ecosystems
(3) Molecular and Chemical Life Sciences:
Understanding how molecules work inside biological beings
3. Curricula
As noted in the Introduction, the ICLS allows overseas students who are not proficient in the Japanese language to earn credits by taking classes in English.
Since it will not be possible to offer all classes in English, we recommend that you meet with your academic advisor early to discuss your study and research plans.
As noted in the Introduction, the ICLS allows overseas students who are not proficient in the Japanese language to earn credits by taking classes in English.
Since it will not be possible to offer all classes in English, we recommend that you meet with your academic advisor early to discuss your study and research plans.
→ The Life Sciences syllabus and curriculum can be found below.
Life Sciences Online Syllabus: https://www.lifesci.tohoku.ac.jp/en/curriculums/syllabus/
Life Sciences Online Syllabus: https://www.lifesci.tohoku.ac.jp/en/curriculums/syllabus/
4. Academic Degree
To earn an academic degree, students must complete the required coursework and successfully defend a thesis/dissertation.
The criteria for obtaining an academic degree from our Graduate School are as follows:
To earn an academic degree, students must complete the required coursework and successfully defend a thesis/dissertation.
The criteria for obtaining an academic degree from our Graduate School are as follows:
(1) Master’s Degree
- In principle, at least two years of study.
- Students must have attended the specified courses and earned at least 30 credits.
- Students must have received the necessary research guidance and have written and passed a master's thesis defense.
(2) Doctoral Degree
- In principle, at least three years of study.
- Students must have attended the designated courses and earned a minimum of 9 credits.
- Students must receive the necessary research guidance, write a dissertation, and successfully defend it.
Please note that publication in an academic journal is required prior to the dissertation defense. We recommend that students discuss the details of this with their academic advisor in advance.
5. Enrollment Periods and Fees5. Enrollment Periods and Fees
(1) Admission takes place on April 1 (spring semester) or October 1 (fall semester). Please see below for details on the enrollment process.
(2) ICLS Fees (at present)
Examination fee: 30,000 JPY
Admission fee: 282,000 JPY
Tuition: 267,900 JPY/6 months (535,800 JPY/year)
Insurance fees: Insurance details vary depending on enrollment period.
* Note: If the above amounts are revised, the new fees will take precedence and apply from the time of revision.
Examination fee: 30,000 JPY
Admission fee: 282,000 JPY
Tuition: 267,900 JPY/6 months (535,800 JPY/year)
Insurance fees: Insurance details vary depending on enrollment period.
* Note: If the above amounts are revised, the new fees will take precedence and apply from the time of revision.
Students may apply for scholarships and/or tuition waivers, but there is no guarantee that these requests will be granted.
We also estimate that there will be monthly costs of approximately 100,000-200,000 JPY for housing, utilities, food, transportation, etc., depending on each student's lifestyle.
Please make appropriate arrangements for the necessary expenses in advance, and also refer to the websites listed below.
We also estimate that there will be monthly costs of approximately 100,000-200,000 JPY for housing, utilities, food, transportation, etc., depending on each student's lifestyle.
Please make appropriate arrangements for the necessary expenses in advance, and also refer to the websites listed below.
- Tohoku University TU Support: http://sup.bureau.tohoku.ac.jp/index_en.html
(Information on preparing for and living in Japan) - Tohoku University Global Learning Center:
http://www.tohoku.ac.jp/en/admissions/financial_aid.html
(Scholarship and financial aid information) - Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO): https://www.jasso.go.jp/en/index.html
(1) Student Guide to Japan: https://www.studyinjapan.go.jp/en/
(2) Scholarships for International Students in Japan: https://www.jasso.go.jp/en/ryugaku/scholarship_j/index.html
* Some knowledge of Japanese will be necessary in many everyday situations after admission to Tohoku University. Even for students who have been admitted to the ICLS, we strongly recommend that you study Japanese if you have the opportunity.
6. Entrance Examination
Admission to the Graduate School of Life Sciences is possible after taking and passing an entrance examination. The procedure leading up to the entrance examination is as follows.
Admission to the Graduate School of Life Sciences is possible after taking and passing an entrance examination. The procedure leading up to the entrance examination is as follows.
(1) There is great variety and diversity among our faculty members. Please search for the professor who matches the particular type of research you wish to pursue. You can find information about the research labs (areas of study) and details about the research of individual faculty members on the following web pages. Please check to see if they match your interests.
Please note that only professors and associate professors can provide research advice.
Please note that only professors and associate professors can provide research advice.
Integrative Life Sciences: https://www.lifesci.tohoku.ac.jp/en/research/fields/field1/
- Neuroethology (Professor Tanimoto)
- Molecular Ethology (Professor Takeuchi)
- Brain Development (Professor Abe)
- Systems Neuroscience (Professor Tsutsui)
- Membrane Trafficking Mechanisms (Professor Fukuda)
- Developmental Dynamics (Professor Sugimoto)
- Organelle Pathophysiology (Professor Taguchi)
- Super-Network Brain Physiology (Professor K. Matsui)
- Germ Cell Development (Professor Y. Matsui)
- Cancer Biology (Professor N. Chiba)
- Developmental Neurobiology (Professor Ogura)
- Developmental Neuroscience (Professor Osumi)
- Molecular Oncology (Professor K. Tanaka)
Ecological Developmental Adaptability Life Sciences:
https://www.lifesci.tohoku.ac.jp/en/research/fields/field2/
https://www.lifesci.tohoku.ac.jp/en/research/fields/field2/
- Plant Development (Professor Kyozuka)
- Histogenetic Dynamics (Professor Kuranaga)
- Plant Sensory and Developmental Biology (Professor Higashitani)
- Organ Morphogenesis (Professor Tamura)
- Plant Cell Dynamics (Professor Minako Ueda)
- Aquatic Ecology (Professor Urabe)
- Functional Ecology (Professor Hikosaka)
- Ecological Integration (Professor Kondoh)
- Symbiosis Genomics (Professor S.Sato)
- Macroecology (Professor Kass)
- Plant Diversity and Evolution (Professor Maki)
- Conservation Biology (Professor S. Chiba)
- Marine Biodiversity (Professor Kumano, Professor Kondoh)
- Ecosystem Functions (Professor Tayasu)
- Systems Bioinformatics (Professor Kinoshita)
Molecular chemistry and biology: https://www.lifesci.tohoku.ac.jp/en/research/fields/field3/
- Analytical Bioorganic Chemistry (Professor Arimoto)
- Biostructural Chemistry (Professor Sasaki)
- Bioactive Molecules (Professor Ishikawa)
- Molecular and Cellular Biology (Professor Ohashi)
- Applied Biological Molecular Science (Professor Y. Tanaka)
- Microbial Genetics and Evolution (Professor Nagata)
- Plant Molecular Breeding (Professor Watanabe)
- Molecular Genetics and Physiology (Professor Higashitani)
- Evolutionary Genomics (Professor Makino)
- Molecular Analysis of Biological Functions (Professor S. Takahashi)
- Biofunctional Chemistry and Nanobiotechnology (Professor Mizukami)
- Structural Biology (Professor Inaba)
- Structural Mechanism Research and Development (Professor Yonekura, Professor Takahashi)
- Omics and Informatics (Visiting professor Hirakawa, Visiting professor Ikeda)
- Chemical Biology of Natural Product (Professor Minoru Ueda)
- Bioorganic Medicinal Chemistry (Professor Doi)
- Redox Biology (Professor Motohashi)
- Cellular Function (Professor Nakayama)
- RNA Physiology (Professor Wei)
(2) Contact the faculty member directly by email, noting the points below.
- Include "Admission" in the title of the email.
- In the email, include details about your current living situation, your academic background, what you would like to study, etc.
- Include "Admission" in the title of the email.
- In the email, include details about your current living situation, your academic background, what you would like to study, etc.
(3) If the faculty member gives you permission to take the entrance exam, please check the following web page (or contact the Academic Affairs Section) for details about the application guidelines, forms and etc.
Admissions Information: https://www.lifesci.tohoku.ac.jp/en/admission/schedule/
Admissions Information: https://www.lifesci.tohoku.ac.jp/en/admission/schedule/
(4) In general, the entrance examination is held in Japan in person or online. Please check this before applying. The examination will include review of submitted documents, examination of communication skills, English proficiency, oral presentations, interviews, etc.
7. Contact
For academic administrative inquiries, please contact the Academic Affairs Section of the Graduate School of Life Sciences Academic Affairs Section: lif-kyom@grp.tohoku
For academic administrative inquiries, please contact the Academic Affairs Section of the Graduate School of Life Sciences Academic Affairs Section: lif-kyom@grp.tohoku
８. Enrollment Procedures (for Spring Enrollment)
The enrollment procedures are divided into three stages during different periods.
- Step 1 in early March
- Step 2 in early April
- Step 3 (payment of tuition) end of May
The enrollment procedures are divided into three stages during different periods.
- Step 1 in early March
- Step 2 in early April
- Step 3 (payment of tuition) end of May
(1) Enrollment Procedures Step 1
1. Declaration
2. Admission Fee (282,000 JPY)
- Students who wish to apply for an Admission Fee Waiver or Admission Fee Deferral should submit the application documents to the Kawauchi Campus Student Support Division around mid-March and a separate document entitled "Notice of (Intended) Application for Admission Fee Waiver" to the Graduate School of Life Sciences Academic Affairs Section.
- Submitting Admission Fee Receipt (This step is not required for those applying for Admission Fee Waiver or Admission Fee Deferment)
1. Declaration
2. Admission Fee (282,000 JPY)
- Students who wish to apply for an Admission Fee Waiver or Admission Fee Deferral should submit the application documents to the Kawauchi Campus Student Support Division around mid-March and a separate document entitled "Notice of (Intended) Application for Admission Fee Waiver" to the Graduate School of Life Sciences Academic Affairs Section.
- Submitting Admission Fee Receipt (This step is not required for those applying for Admission Fee Waiver or Admission Fee Deferment)
(2) Enrollment Procedures Step 2
1. Submitting student records
2. Registering a bank account for tuition payment (a bank account in a Japanese bank is required)
3. Submitting the required certificates
4. Enrollment in student health insurance
5. Submitting a copy of your Residence Card and a Residence Certificate from the city hall (ward office).
1. Submitting student records
2. Registering a bank account for tuition payment (a bank account in a Japanese bank is required)
3. Submitting the required certificates
4. Enrollment in student health insurance
5. Submitting a copy of your Residence Card and a Residence Certificate from the city hall (ward office).
(3) Enrollment Procedures Step 3 (Payment of First Semester Tuition)
Students who wish to apply for a tuition waiver, tuition deferment, or tuition payment in monthly installments should submit their applications to the Kawauchi Campus Student Support Division around the beginning of April.
Students who wish to apply for a tuition waiver, tuition deferment, or tuition payment in monthly installments should submit their applications to the Kawauchi Campus Student Support Division around the beginning of April.
9. Entrance Ceremony, Orientation, New Student Exchange Meeting, etc.
These events are held in early April. All students are encouraged to attend orientation.
ICLS
GRADUATE SCHOOL OF LIFE SCIENCES,
TOHOKU UNIVERSITY
GRADUATE SCHOOL OF LIFE SCIENCES,
TOHOKU UNIVERSITY
