Doctor’s Program for Health and Environmental Sciences
The Doctoral Program for Health and Environmental Sciences was launched in April 2017 with the goal of developing educators and researchers with advanced specialized skills and holistic competencies by building up their expertise and research skills in health and environmental sciences, along with scholarship and grounding in a broad range of disciplines, including basic sciences such as natural science. More specifically, the doctoral program is designed to develop (a) academics who aspire to create and globally promote an innovative interdisciplinary area of study, and pass on to future generations the new knowledge and technologies generated and accumulated, and (b) technical experts with advanced research skills who can contribute directly to society by seeking solutions to complex problems and challenges using the expertise and skills acquired in this program.
Admission Policy
Each specialization has its own admission policy as stated below.
Environmental Sciences Subjects
Health and environmental sciences are an interdisciplinary field focusing on the scientific study of the environment in which humans live. This specialization teaches and researches complex and diverse phenomena related to the subject to develop the next generation of experts in this field. It also explains the physiological, psychological, and behavioral characteristics of people in relation to their living environments and considers the interplay between humans and the environment.
Specifically, the program explores theories and conducts experiments from the perspectives of material and life sciences on topics relating to structures and processes of the natural world, including molecules, cells, and organisms, the energies binding these structures, and material recycling. Students are also given the opportunity to
(a) plan and design cities and homes,
(b) analyze human psychology, physiology, and behavior patterns and design living spaces based on the findings,
(c) evaluate and design urban spaces in line with universal design principles, and
(d) collect and analyze data regarding the impact of environmental changes on human behavior.
The program seeks students with an especially keen interest in the field of natural science, an ambition for self-improvement, and strong intellectual curiosity and creativity. Other desired attributes include a keen interest in real-world issues relating to living environments and humans, and motivation to share research findings for the benefit of society by developing concrete design proposals.
Nutrition and Health Science Subjects
This specialization covers topics related to food and health, with the scope ranging from basic research to applied development to clinical practices. Students will acquire the ability to analyze and devise solutions to such challenges as promoting healthy eating habits, preventing lifestyle-related diseases by identifying their causes, and confronting food safety issues. This program develops highly-skilled food and nutrition professionals, such as clinical dietitians, research and development practitioners at food companies, and academics working for educational institutions.
The food science and nutrition science aspects of various food and diet-related issues, including health, food quality, preferences, functions, safety, metabolism, and disease-implications, are explored by applying the knowledge of such disciplines as nutrition science, biochemistry, molecular cell biology, and epidemiology. Students are expected to have motivation and drive to undertake experiments, surveys and other research activities.
The program welcomes applications from students with an especially keen interest in the relationship between food and health and the study of this topic, and the willingness to share with the public the studies aimed at finding the causes and solutions to problems and the outcomes of such studies for the benefit of society.
＜Standard criteria for admission＞
?General admission, admission of working adults, international exchange student admission
Admission is based on a comprehensive evaluation of the applicant’s written examination scores (English language proficiency), interview performance, and application materials. The written examinations assess the applicant’s language skills and articulateness essential for conducting research. The interview assesses the applicant’s passion for research in their chosen field, the validity of their research proposal, and academic aptitude and skills, communication skills, and articulateness required to undertake research in their chosen field.
Degree Requirements
Doctoral degrees are awarded to students who have
(a) enrolled in the program for a minimum of three years,
(b) completed a minimum of 16 credits, including 2 credits of core courses, 2 credits of specialized courses, and 12 credits of Seminar Subjects, and
(c) successfully defended their dissertation prepared under proper supervision and passed the final examination.
Students who demonstrate exceptional achievements can be awarded a degree with a minimum enrollment period of two years.
