Welcome to Master’s Program in Environmental Sciences and Doctoral Program in Environmental Studies

Master’s Program in Environmental Sciences and Doctoral Program in Environmental Studies evolved with a vision to create innovative, talented researchers through quality education and provided with effective international governance knowledge. The amalgamation of world class faculty, infrastructure and opportunities for various field surveys, symposiums, and workshops provide the best platform for these activities. The Master’s and Doctoral programs are designed to be completed within two and three years respectively. During this period students are required to earn credit points through course work and their research activity in order to graduate.

 

Research Outline (excerpted)

Please also refer to Faculty & Research for details.

EnvSci-Summary_12 EnvSci-Summary_13
Kamae Lab Matsui Lab Environmental Psychology and Decision Making watershed management lab
EnvSci-Summary_01 EnvSci-Summary_02 EnvSci-Summary_03
Aquatic Ecology Lab Nomura Laboratory: Biofilms and Cell-cell communication Bio-Resource Process Engineering Lab – Wastewater Treatment and Biomass Conservation Bio-Resource Process Engineering Lab – Movie
EnvSci-Summary_07 EnvSci-Summary_04
Laboratory of Conservation Ecology Environmental Remote Sensing Food Functionality Lab Food Functionality Lab -movie
EnvSci-Summary_10 Sugita
Paleoclimate Modeling Sugita Lab Sugita Lab -movie1 Sugita Lab -movie2
EnvSci-Summary_05 Higano EnvSci-Summary_11 EnvSci-Summary_09
Interdisciplinary Study on Environmental Transfer of
Radionuclides from the Fukushima Daiichi NPP Accident		 Socio-Environmental System Laboratory Environmental Remote Sensing Terrestrial Ecosystem Ecology

Download a PDF file of slides above here.

 

Student life in University of Tsukuba

Academic Advisor. After enrollment, an academic advisor is assigned to each student, and the students will pursue their studies and research under his/her guidance. Please make sure you keep in regular contact with your supervisor and update them about the course of your research so that any difficulties or problems with your academic studies or student life may be solved as soon as possible.

Tutor. Newly arrived international students are assisted in their academic and daily life in Tsukuba by Japanese students who are assigned as personal tutors for a period of one year. For more information on the tutorial system, please refer to this page: http://www.intersc.tsukuba.ac.jp/02current/orientation.htm. Tutors are available to assist you in your daily and academic life but are not responsible for any academic or societal obligations you may have. This includes the correct and on time submission of any academic documents.

Libraries. The University Library provides about 2.5 million, books and about 23,000 periodicals at the Central Library. For more information, refer to “The University of Tsukuba Library System” guide or ask the library staff. In the Central Library, volunteer staff will help you with any issues in both Japanese and English. Please feel free to ask them. The library holds orientations for new students. Please see the information desk at the library for further details.

Extracurricular Activities. There are various kinds of sports, cultural, and artistic clubs and circles at the University of Tsukuba. Foreign students are especially encouraged to participate in these activities. For detailed information regarding these clubs and circles, as well as contact information, please contact the Student Support Section, Division of Student Affairs, 3rd Floor, Student Plaza at Tel 029-853- 2247/2248. If and when a student group or club is planning to hold a meeting or gathering on campus, a “Students’ Meeting Application Form” should be submitted to the appropriate office in the Academic Service Office at least 5 days (excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays) in advance of the planned meeting or gathering. The application must then receive approval. Please see the following link for information on Extracurricular Activity Groups: http://www.tsukuba.ac.jp/english/campuslife/circles.html

TISA (Tsukuba International Students’ Association). TISA tries to cater to the needs of international students and promotes understanding and exchange among them as well as between international and Japanese students. Through various activities such as the university festival, tennis competitions, bazaars, discussions, disco parties, etc., TISA attempts to help students understand other cultures and customs. Also, in cooperation with the university staff and local residents, TISA holds bazaars in May and October at the ISC. Tableware, clothes, and other used goods are sold at low prices. Refer to the bulletin boards at the appropriate time of year.

A.P.I.C. (the Association for Promoting International Communication). A.P.I.C. brings Japanese students interested in overseas countries or studying abroad and international students together for discussion and activities. In addition to helping newly enrolled international students move into their residences, A.P.I.C. members also organize parties, sporting events, and cultural exchanges for Japanese and international students.

Activities for International Students. Various activities are organized at the university for new and continuing international students. Please check the ISC office notice board and program notice boards for further information. International students have set up different social organizations in the past and current members continue to organize meetings and excursions for their compatriots. Please see: http://www.intersc.tsukuba.ac.jp/02current/links.htm

Short-term Field Trips. The ISC Office organizes field trips every year. These trips are designed to promote an understanding of Japanese history and culture among international students by visiting to places of historic interest and factories in various districts. Students are entitled to go on one trip per year, but in the case that the number of applicants exceeds the number of available places offered, participants will be drawn randomly. Details will be posted on the bulletin boards. Please check the following link for more information about field trips: http://www.intersc.tsukuba.ac.jp/02current/fieldtrips.htm

Short-term Homestay and local Exchange. Short-term Homestay programs, mostly for one night, with Japanese families in and around Tsukuba City are available from December to January. The programs offer a good chance to interact with a Japanese family. Information regarding the application procedures is posted on the bulletin boards. Also, local groups organize a variety of exchange meetings, parties, bazaars, events, and homestay programs, etc. to facilitate cross-cultural communication and understanding. Information is available on the bulletin boards at the ISC Office.

 

Potential Financial Supports for International Students

There are various sources of financial aid available to students from within the university and from other outside organizations. Students who are undergoing financial difficulties should first inform their academic supervisor or the program office of their circumstances.

Tuition Exemption. Fees for the university are divided into entrance and tuition fees. The entrance fee is a one off payment made when the student enters the University of Tsukuba. Tuition fees are payable twice a year for the duration of student enrollment. Please see http://www.tsukuba.ac.jp/english/admission/tuition.html for details. Full or half exemption of tuition is awarded as part of the University financial assistance program for outstanding students who show excellent academic performance and who are unable to pay tuition for financial reasons. Please see http://www.tsukuba.ac.jp/english/campuslife/exemption.html

Entrance Fee ¥282,000 (to be paid once upon entering the university)
Tuition fees 267,900 yen
First Half of Academic Year
(April – September)		 267,900 yen
Second Half of Academic Year
(October – March)

 

Scholarships. For detailed information about scholarships, please refer to the scholarships page on the International Center website. This page also has information on scholarships.

Teaching Assistance (TA). Students of the master’s program are hired as teaching assistants for training sessions, seminars, and lectures that held by the Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences in order to assist academic staff and to provide students with further financial assistance.

Part-time Work. It is permissible for students to undertake part time employment providing that it does not interfere with their academic commitments. In addition, International students face restrictions on the type of job and the number of hours they are allowed to work each week. Please ask at the ISC office for further details.There are four part-time job categories available to international students:Private teacher (kateikyoshi), Cram school instructor (jukukyoshi), Foreign language instructor (gogaku kyoshi), and Other/general (sonota/ippan). Job openings are posted on the bulletin boards in each Academic Service Office. Jobs that available for foreign students are also posted on the bulletin board at the ISC Office. Interested students should contact their Academic Service Office (Student Support) or the International Student Center. Jobs are occasionally advertised on some of the international mailing list such as TAIRA. Please note that international students who wish to engage in employment (not required in the case of teaching assistant, research assistant or tutor) must first receive “Permission to Engage in Activity Other Than That Permitted Under the Status of Residence Previously Granted” from the Regional Immigration Bureau (please refer to this page for more information. http://www.intersc.tsukuba.ac.jp/02current/visas.htm).

 

Emergency Funds for Tsukuba Life

Various organizations within the university offer financially challenged students’ access to interest free emergency loans, which must be repaid within a certain period of time.

Student Emergency Funds. University students are eligible to receive an emergency loan of up to 30,00 yen, repayable within one month, for emergencies such as unexpected accidents, sickness, delayed remittances etc. For more details, please contact the Division of Student Affairs.

Shihokai Emergency Loans. The Shihokai (Association for Student Support in University of Tsukuba) provides loans to registered students of up to 250,000 yen (interest free), repayable within one year, for victims of accidents or natural disasters (a joint guarantor is required). Please contact the Shihokai (located in the University Hall, University of Tsukuba on 029-852-8572).

Student Emergency Aid Fund. The Japan Educational Exchange and Services (JEES), a non-profit organization, has established an emergency fund for foreign (regular) students to allow them to borrow up to 200,000 yen (interest free), repayable within a short period. For further details, please contact the International Exchange Office, Japan Educational Exchanges and Services (JEES), 4-5-29 Komaba, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153-8503, Tel 03-5454-5274.

Loan of a Lump Sum Provided by the Support Association for International Students. The University of Tsukuba Support Association for International Students provides a temporary aid fund to those students who, due to special and unforeseen circumstances, need funds for their daily living expenses. This fund is available to foreign students who become ill, are injured, or are in other need of short-term funds. Students are able to borrow up to 100,000 yen interest free and must pay back the borrowed amount within six months. For further details, please contact the office of the University of Tsukuba Support Association for International Students at the ISC.