Features and Purposes of the Program

The purposes of the Graduate School of Health and Environmental Sciences are to teach and research academic theories and their applications, provide deep knowledge and research skills, and contribute to cultural development. To achieve these purposes, the Graduate School offers MA programs in Natural Sciences and Environment, Nutritional and Health Sciences, and Environmental Management, and doctoral programs in Environmental Sciences and Nutritional and Health Sciences.
With the environment and health as the two key underlying themes, the Doctoral Program for Health and Environmental Sciences strives to deliver high-quality education and research from the perspectives of natural sciences, and to help students develop broad perspectives and advanced expertise in related fields.

Diploma Policy

The Graduate School of Health and Environmental Sciences confers a doctoral degree on students who have

• (1) gained the required credits; acquired the latest knowledge in health and environmental sciences, a field of study that aims to achieve a health-promoting, environmentally-sustainable society, and the necessary knowledge and skills to (a) pursue research or an advanced professional career in health and environmental sciences, and (b) integrate expertise from a variety of disciplines; and
• (2) enrolled at FWU for the specified number of years, successfully defended their dissertation or research paper on a particular topic, and passed the final examination.

Curriculum Policy

Based on its purposes and diploma policy statements, the Graduate School of Health and Environmental Sciences provides an educational program designed to develop more advanced expertise related to the creation of a health-promoting, environmentally-sustainable society as well as problem-solving skills and a holistic perspective. To achieve these purposes, the doctoral program curriculum offers Seminar for MA Thesis and Major Subjects in addition to the Fundamental Subject.

• (1) Core Fundamental Subjects are provided to prepare students for a future career as an independent researcher in any chosen field. These courses also develop problem-solving skills and ethical values.
• (2) Major Subjects include
  (a) Seminar course (Graduate Special Seminar in Human Environmental Sciences) —Designed to broaden horizons, this course requires students to research a topic outside their own field and present the findings.
  (b) Career development course (Graduate Special Practice in Profession)—Designed for students to be effective in their future career roles in Japan and overseas, this course provides an opportunity to gain practical experience at universities, public organizations, or private companies.
  (c) Practical training course (Graduate Special Practice in Human Environmental Sciences)—In this course, students serve as a thesis supervisor or assist with laboratory experiments.
• (3) Individually-tailored research training is provided through collaborative teaching involving a primary and secondary supervisor whose expertise align with the student’s research field.
• (4) The research implementation skills needed to become an independent researcher are developed through participation in latest research. Students improve their academic writing and presentation skills in the process of undertaking a research project.
• (5) A guideline for rigorous and fair grading for graduate schools is established and the criteria set out in the guideline applied consistently to ensure proper grading.
• (6) Dissertations are evaluated strictly in accordance with the Assessment Criteria for Doctoral Dissertations of the Graduate School of Health and Environmental Sciences to ensure that degree award decisions are made properly and fairly.

Admission Policy

Through the integration of various disciplines, including family and consumer sciences, science and engineering, and social sciences, the Graduate School of Health and Environmental Sciences contributes to the development of health and environmental sciences, a field of study that aims to achieve a health-promoting, environmentally-sustainable society from the perspectives of health science, environmental science, and natural science that provide its foundation. To achieve its objective, the graduate school offers doctoral programs in Environmental Sciences and Nutritional and Health Sciences, and provides education with the mission to produce graduates with advanced research skills, expertise, and abundant creativity. Students of the Doctoral Program for Health and Environmental Sciences are expected to take advantage of the small-group teaching that provides opportunities for close interactions with teachers and independently organize experiments, practical training, and fieldwork, while actively sharing the knowledge and skills gained for the benefit of society.
Based on the above, the program seeks students with the following attributes and attitudes:

• (1) A strong background in the fields of health and environment, an ambition for self-improvement, and strong motivation to conduct creative and independent research and analyses.
• (2) A high standard of research ethics and an attitude characterized by enthusiasm and self-direction.
• (3) Extensive knowledge in natural sciences, such as chemistry and biology.
• (4) Motivation and strong practical skills to drive the creation of a health-promoting, environmentally-friendly society by sharing research findings with the public.

Admission of working adults

(1) Acceptance of working adults
There is growing momentum for university graduates working at companies, educational institutions, government ministries and agencies, and various other organizations to pursue graduate studies to further their knowledge and skills as part of life-long learning. To actively support working adults who desire to return to education, various scheduling accommodations are offered, including the Special Provision for Working Adults described below.

(2) Special Provision for Working Adults
The special provision for learning arrangements allows working teachers, public servants, company employees, organization and facility staff, and individuals with legitimate and extenuating circumstances, such as childbirth and elderly care, to take classes in the evening, on Saturdays, or during summer or winter breaks.

Program extension policy

To encourage motivated working adults to pursue graduate studies, the program extension policy grants students an extension of time to complete their program beyond the standard timeframe, based on a request for extension and a proposed schedule submitted by the student at the time of enrollment. The program extension policy applies also to individuals with legitimate and extenuating circumstances, such as childbirth and elderly care.
By taking advantage of this policy, students can be granted an extension up to a maximum of four years for the master’s programs and six years for the doctoral programs to earn the required credits for their degree without additional tuition or fees.