Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences
University of Tsukuba

Master’s Program in

Environmental Sciences

Enrollment capacity: 84 persons; 2-year program; Degree: Master’s in Environmental Science

2

Thesis Research
In this Program, every student becomes an expert in conducting thesis research and writing a master’s
thesis by forming her/his own committee, consisting of one academic supervisor and two or more
sub-supervisors who help refine research topic/scope. In the middle of the second year, all students present
their research progress in the interim presentation, in which other faculty members attend and help refine
their researches. The master’s theses are expected to make original/significant contributions toenvironmental sciences. Some of the past theses have been published in academic journals and books.

3

Admission
Admission is based on the submission of necessary documents (e.g., authentic English test score) and theresult of entrance examination that is offered by the Program. A few different types of examination areavailable to meet applicants’ diverse backgrounds. The detailed schedule for these examinations andapplication processes is available on the following website at http://www2.envr.tsukuba.ac.jp/eng/masters-

Message from Program Chair

program-admission. For all inquiries regarding entrance examination, please contact our office atadmission@envr.tsukuba.ac.jp.

Takeo Hama

We welcome students who are willing to expand their potential tobe global leaders by exploring into the multidisciplinary world of

1st Yearenvironmental sciences in both classroom/laboratory and field

1 Semester

Our Vision in Curriculum
The Master’s Program in Environmental Sciences is the oldest graduate school in environmental studies inJapan. Since its establishment in 1977, it has offered truly multidisciplinary curriculum choices to more than
3,000 students from twenty some countries. It has aimed to foster skills and knowledge for the students to

Courses1

Researchsettings.

st• Program guidance• Select academic
supervisor

Compulsory core
courses (3 credits):• Introduction to Env.
Sciences• Exercises in Env.
Sciences• Field and Laboratory
Practices

2nd Year
2 Semesternd

1 Semesterst

Outcome2 Semesternd• Progress researchpresentation

Proceed with individual research for master’s thesis
Field survey and Internships / Laboratories• Final thesis presentationand oral defense• Master’s thesis submission

In total 30 credits ormore (40 advisable)

Thesis seminars in Env. Sciences (3 credits x 3 semesters)

Seminar in Env. Sciences (1.5 credits x 4 semesters)

Elective courses (12 or more credits)

become outstanding global environmental leaders/practitioners. Our graduates now contribute theirskills/knowledge to governments, research/education institutions, NGOs, consulting companies, and other* An academic year is divided into two semesters: Spring (April-July) and Fall (October-February).
* Early completion schedule is also available.

corporations.
One of three core courses in this Program aims to foster multidisciplinary and global visions by introducing
wide-ranging environmental science topics that are approached from ecology, hydrology, chemistry,
economics, ethics, policies, health, disaster prevention/mitigation/adaptation, and meteorology, among
others. Another core course is based on field and laboratory practices that are accompanied with an
in-class exercise course to enhance knowledge/skill acquisition in fields and laboratories. In addition, theProgram offers more than 70 elective courses to meet diverse academic interests among students. Our
acclaimed signature courses on international internships have offered hands-on seminars about ten
countries in Africa, Asia, Europe, and North America.

1

Master’s Program in Environmental Sciences

Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Tsukuba

2Doctoral Programin Sustainable
Environmental Studies

Enrollment capacity: 12 persons; 3-year program; Degree: Doctor in Environmental Studies

2

Multidisciplinary Research Initiatives
The Program hosts a number of innovative research projects. Depending on academic fields, students joincollaborative research projects with national research institutions outside the campus, including the
National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST). Our faculty members also leadsome large research projects that are funded by the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) and theJapan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) as well as various other corporations.

3

Admission
To enroll in this program, a master’s degree is required. Admission is based on the submission of necessary
documents and entrance examination, which is offered by faculty members of the Program. For moredetailed information about application and admission, please visit our website at http://www2.envr.tsukuba.ac.jp/

Message from Program Chair

eng/doctoral-program-admission. For all inquiries regarding entrance examination, please contact our

Maki Tsujimura

office at admission@envr.tsukuba.ac.jp.

We welcome those who strive to be future innovators and help ourcivilizations achieve sustainable paths for development and theenvironment.

1

4Career Path
Many of our graduates have become faculty members
or researchers at universities and research institutions
in Bangladesh, China, Indonesia, Japan, Vietnam

Our Vision in Curriculum

and Tunisia. Others work for national and municipal
governments and private corporations like NTT

The Doctoral Program in Sustainable Environmental Studies aims to foster professionals and global

Data and Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing.

academic leaders in wide-ranging disciplines that are related to environment studies. Students can refine
professional skills that are essential in undertaking scientific studies or making policy/planning. They canalso enhance practical skills for conducting field surveys or laboratory experiments. Throughout theProgram, students are encouraged to connect their research interests to wider social and environmental

1st Year

Every doctoral student in this Program forms her/his own advisory committee that guides research and• Decide supervisor and TAC*
members• Begin thesis research

ensures its publishable outcome as well as dissertation. The committee should consist of one academic

Researchneeds for sustainability.

three presentations on research progress, which are evaluated by two or more faculty members other thanadvisory committee members in the Program.

Coursessupervisor and two or more sub-supervisors. In addition, a doctoral student is expected to make at least

2nd Year

3rd Year

OutcomePreliminary thesis defense (TAC)

Doctoral defense (TAC)
Thesis submission
Publications

Work on publication and conference presentations• Program guidance• Decide AC and EC* members

In total 7 credits or
moreSpecial Exercise of Sustainable Environmental Studies I, II, III ( under the supervision of AC and EC*)
Forum courses on Sustainable Environmental Studies I, II, III / Internships* TAC= Thesis Advisory Committee; AC= Advisory Committee; EC= Evaluation Committee* Early completion schedule is also available.

3

Doctoral Program in Sustainable Environmental Studies

Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Tsukuba

4

Certificate Program:Sustainability Science,
Technology, and Policy(SUSTEP)

1

Majors(1) Environmental Hydrology and Disaster Prevention in Climate Change: With its focus on hydrology
and environmental disaster prevention/ mitigation/adaptation, this major fosters experts in the conservation

The Sustainability Science, Technology, and Policy (SUSTEP) certificate program is designed to foster global
leaders with both specific scientific expertise and broader knowledge/insights in natural science, social science,
humanity, and diplomacy/leadership. This program is collaboratively managed by the Master’s Program in
Environmental Sciences and the Doctoral Program in Sustainable Environmental Studies. It welcomes all
graduate students and offers them a unique set of expert training courses with concentration areas called“majors.” A SUSTEP certificate will be conferred upon the completion of required credits and theses. The lattershould be conducive to the SUSTEP concept.

2

Toward Global LeadershipStudents in this certificate program are encouraged
to place expert knowledge within multidisciplinary

and restoration of the watershed environment from climate change ramifications. Students can acquireand global/local contexts by taking some common

advanced scientific and technical knowledge for alleviating human impacts on the watershed environment

courses in addition to major courses. They also

as well as optimizing local people’s safety and security.

have opportunities to participate in international(2) Ecosystems and Biodiversity Conservation and Remediation: This major examines air/waterpollution, deforestation, and natural disasters from the perspectives of ecology, soil science, microbiology,
and analytical chemistry. Students can learn how microorganisms, plants, animals, and ecosystems havedeveloped survival abilities through their defense mechanisms and remediated the environment.
Researches in these areas can lead to innovative measures/dis- coveries for mitigating complicatedenvironmental problems.

seminars and discuss global leadership on specificissues with guest experts from renowned research
institutions and universities around the world. Herestudents in different majors come together anddiscuss/share their concerns and interests. These
opportunities can lead to research innovation andglobal leadership visions.

(3) Integrated Resource and Waste Management: This major offers advanced knowledge about
available technologies and management systems that control and reduce waste generation. Its courses
cover topics such as environmental information monitoring, environmental remediation technologies,
environmental risk management, e-waste management, and human health risk from toxic waste.
(4) Environmental Policy and Planning: This major has the following four objectives: (a) to identify
socio-economic and ecological factors; (b) to illustrate the mechanism of political trade-offs forconservation; (c) to propose adaptable options; and (d) to compose convincing ideas in planning.

5

Certificate Program: Sustainability Science, Technology, and Policy (SUSTEP)

Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Tsukuba

6

Internships and Seminars

International Seminars and Workshops• Annual JDS International Symposium on Environmental Policy
and Practice (2010-)

for Global Leaders• Environmental Diplomatic Leader Annual Symposium (completed)• “Meet the Leader” Special Seminars (completed)• Ministry of Foreign Affair (MOFA) Special Lectures (completed)

International Symposium• Special Lecture on Global Environmental Issues andJapanese Diplomacy (completed)

Available Short-term Training• Short-term Education Courses on Environmental Sciences• Short-term Research Training• English Academic Writing Seminar
Delft University of Technology / Netherlands

EDL Annual Symposium (completed)

Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München / Germany

CanadaFranceMongolia
University of Geosciences / China

Tunisia

China

University of Tsukuba / Japan
Fudan University / China
National Taiwan Normal University / Taiwan
National Cheng Kung University / Taiwan

BhutanVNU-University of Science / Vietnam

Vietnam
Kenya

Singapore
Bogor Agricultural University / Indonesia

Short-term Training

Ho Chi Minh University of Technology / Vietnam

Indonesia

Federal University of Para / Brazil

Gadjah Mada University / Indonesia

SUSTEP Consortium Universities
International Internship Destinations

7

Internships and Seminars for Global Leaders

Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Tsukuba

8Faculty Members and Supervisable Research Topics
Faculty Name

Program1

Supervisable research topics

Faculty Name

Program1

ADACHI Yasuhisa

M/D

Environmental colloid and interface engineering, flocculation and coagulation, colloid
and interface in ecosystem, colloid facilitate transportation, water treatment, bio-colloid

NASAHARA Kenlo

M/D

Remote sensing, ecology, watershed management, disaster management

NISHIMOTO Haruo

M/D

Policy of natural disaster prevention, strategy for natural disaster prevention

ASANUMA Jun

M

Hydrometeorology, surface hydrology, arid hydroclimate, and water resource
management

NOHARA Keiko

M/D

FUJII Sayaka

M

City planning/architectural planning

Environmental chemicals, molecular toxicology, arsenic, cancer, epigenetics,
mutation

FUJIKAWA Masaki

M/DHistory of dwelling environments in East Asia, preservation and renovation of
traditionally built environments

NOMOTO Shinya

M/D

Organic geochemistry, geoorganic reaction chemistry, natural product chemistry,
peptide chemistry

M/D

Bacterial cell-cell communication and bacterial biofilm, applied microbiology

M

Environmental monitoring and modeling, lake environment management,sustainable development, sediments, water quality

NOMURA Nobuhiko

FUKUSHIMA Takehiko

OHSAWA Yoshiaki

M

Urban planning, regional science, socio-economic planning

HAMA Takeo

M/D

Aquatic ecology, ocean biogeochemistry, phytoplankton, ocean acidification,
dissolved organic matter

ONDA Yuichi

M

HIGANO Yoshiro

M/D

Comprehensive evaluation of environmental policy and technology, regional
environmental systems analysis, evaluation of mitigation measures against the
global warming

Geography, natural disaster science, forest science, transfer of Fukushima
derived Cs-137 in the environment, soil erosion studies using fallout radionuclides,
hillslope hydrology, water resources and forest management

SASAI Takahiro2

M/D

Terrestrial carbon and nitrogen cycle, ecosystem modelling, remote sensing,global warming, climate change

HIROTA Mitsuru

M/D

Carbon cycle and greenhouse gases dynamics in terrestrial ecosystem, response
to environmental change in alpine ecosystem, terrestrial ecosystem ecology, plant
ecology, carbon dynamics, biodiversity, ecosystem function

HOTTA Norifumi

M/D

ISODA Hiroko
KAIDA Naoko

92

SATOH Shinobu

Supervisable research topics

M

Plant physiology, injury responses, root functions, plant hormones, cell wall

2

SHIMADA Akihiko

M/DEvolutionary analysis of microbial metabolisms and their applications forbioremediation

Forest engineering, watershed conservation, erosion control engineering, foresthydrology, sediment dynamics in mountain catchment, mechanics of debris flow

SHINKAI Yasuhiro2

M/D

Environmental pharmaceutical science, toxicology, environmental chemicals,
stress response, environmental biology, chemical biology

M/D

Food science, cell biology, food and medicinal plant, anti-aging, prevention of life
style related disease, bio-resource, environmental risk assessment

SUEKI Keisuke

M

Inorganic chemistry, nuclear and radiochemistry

SUGATA Seiji

M/D

M/D

Environmental economics and policy studies, socio-economic valuation of naturaland environmental resources, pro-environmental behavior analysis, sustainableconsumption and lifestyle, environmental cooperation and ODA

Urban and regional air pollution, global warming, material transport in theatmosphere, observation data analysis, numerical simulation

SUGITA Michiaki

M

Hydrology, boundary layer meteorology, agricultural meteorology, evapotranspiration,ecohydrology, GIS

TAMURA Kenji

M

Soil science, environmental education

TANAKA Hiroshi

M

Weather and oceanic physics and hydrology, weather and climate, weather
forecasting, atmospheric dynamics, general circulation of the atmosphere

KAJIYAMA Mikio

M

Synthetic study on material sciences, synthesis and properties of hybrid polymers

KAMIJO Takashi

M

Forest and grassland ecology, silviculture, forests, vegetation, biodiversity, theforestry, nature protection

KAWACHI Atsushi2

M/D

Environmental hydraulics, eco-hydrology, wetland conservation, groundwatersalinization, GIS

TOYOFUKU Masanori2

M/D

Bacterial interactions and biofilms

KAWADA Kiyokazu2

M

Environmental agriculture and ecology, ecological diversity, natural resource
conservation, geography, vegetation sciences, plant ecology, diversity

TSUJIMURA Maki

M/D

Hydrology, water environment, water resources, groundwater, groundwatercontamination

KOIKE Eiko

M/D

Environmental pollutants, biological effect, environmental medicine, toxicology,
immunology

UEDA Hiroaki

M/D

Climatology and meteorology, climate dynamics, ocean dynamics, paleo-climate
modeling, air-sea-land interaction, climate system

KUMAGAI Yoshito

M/D

Environmental biology, toxicology, epidemiology and preventive medicine,oxidative stress

UENO Kenichi

M

Atmospheric science, natural geography, land-atmosphere interaction,precipitation
system in Asian monsoon, snow cover and mountain weather

KUSAKA Hiroyuki

M/DUrban climate, Meteorology and climatology in local area, climate projection inregional-scale

UTSUMI Motoo

M/D

Aquatic biogeochemistry and engineering, aquatic eco-engineering, biologicalwater treatment, microbial ecology, biogeochemistry, C, N and P cycling

M/D

Pigment cell research (Melanogenesis and melanoma research) molecular biology

M/D

Fundamental mechanism and design of new-developed waste (water) treatment
and recycling technologies, wastewater treatment, biogranulation, N and P
recovery and removal, heavy metals immobilization, biosolids

VILLAREAL Myra2

LEI Zhongfang

WATANABE Kazuo

M/D

Plant genetic resources, genetics, plant breeding, biodiplomacy, environmental
ethics, sustainable rural development with biodiversity

MASUDA Misa

M/D

Natural resource conservation, natural resource policy, rural development
particularly in developing countries

MATSUI Kenichi

M/DEnvironmental history/law/ethics, human/historical geography, water andbiodiversity policies, indigenous/traditional knowledge, agricultural/water policies,
water ethics, sustainable tourism

MATSUMOTO Hiroshi

M/D

Modes of action of agrochemicals and allelochemicals, responses of plants tophotooxidative stress

MATSUSHITA Bunkei

M

Remote sensing, environmental dynamic analysis, water environment monitoring,land use/cover change, modeling

MIYAMOTO Kuniaki

M/D

Watershed engineering, water control science, natural disaster science, disasterprevention, flooding, flush flood/debris flow, volcanic disaster

MIZUNO Hideaki

M/DRisk management of natural disaster

MIZUNOYA Takeshi

M/D

Environmental evaluation by simulation analysis, environmental economic policy,
comprehensive environmental evaluation, expanded input-output modeling,
environmental technology evaluation, integrated watershed management

MURAKAMI Akinobu

M/D

Landscape planning, urban and rural planning, urban heat island, urbanizationand environmental change, planning history

NAGASHIMA Tatsuya

M/DRegional air pollution, global warming, stratospheric ozone, air pollution,transport of atmospheric constituents, atmospheric chemistry-climate interaction,
atmospheric chemistry modeling

Faculty Members and Supervisable Research Topics

WATANABE Mamoru

M/DLife history of butterflies and odonates, conservation ecology

WATANABE Shun

M

Architectural planning, environmental design, CAD, GIS, CG

YABAR Helmut

M/D

Environmental engineering and management, integrated resource management,
environmental policy and tchnology innovation, scenario design towards asustainable Asia, waste management systems

YAMAJI Keiko

M/D

Environmental chemical ecology, root endophytes, secondary metabolites,
chemical ecology, environmental stress, plant defense

YAMAMOTO Sachiko2

M/DArchitectural and regional planning

YOKOI Tomoyuki2

M/D

Evolutionary ecology of plants-insects interactions, pollination service, pollination,
invasive species, bee, satoyama, behavior

YOSHINO Kunihiko

M/DEnvironmental impact assessment, ecosystem service study, watershed land-use
planning, rural environmental planning, food security, agricultural engineering

ZHANG Zhenya

M/D

Bioresource process engineering, biomass conversion, bioenergy production,organic waste recycling, functional food material development

1 Programs that faculty members can supervise.
M=Supervise master's students
M/D=Supervise master's and doctoral students
2 Available as sub-supervisors

Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Tsukuba

10Current Doctoral Students
Ms Miki Toda, doctoral student, conducts
field research in the Peruvian Amazon. Her
research aims to assess the contribution of
medicinal plants to local livelihood andhealth.

Graduates’ Career Paths
Bangladesh• Bangladesh Bank
• Ministry of Forest and Environment• Ministry of Public Administration• Bangladesh University of Agriculture

China
Mr Satoshi Tagata, doctoral student,
undertakes hydrological monitoring at
Miyakejima volcano, which erupted in 2000.
His research aims to clarify the runoff
process on the new fine-tephra mantled
slope.

• Beijing Foreign Enterprise Human Resources Service Co., Ltd.
• Chinese Academy of Sciences• Chinese University of Geosciences• Chongqing Municipal Administration Commission• Highchem Co., Ltd.
• Lidyarich Financial Group• Qsinghua University• Tianjin University• Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing Co., Ltd.

Indonesia• Bogor Agricultural University

Japan
Mr Nguyen Hong Son, doctoral student, conducts
research about the involvement of multiple
stakeholders in solving water pollution in theindustrial areas of Vietnam.

Our Graduates
Dr Yudi Setiawan studied land use change inJava, Indonesia (2013). His study received
ISPRS best paper award in 2011. He is apost-doctoral researcher at Nihon University.
Picture description: Conducting interviews
to validate scientific data.

Dr Anis Chekirbane studied the interaction
between groundwater and saline surface
water in an alluvial coastal aquifer in Tunisia.
He is an Assistant Professor at the Water
Researches and Technologies Center, Borj
Cedria Technopark, Tunisia. He is involved insome research projects dealing withgroundwater resources in Tunisia and he isteaching “Groundwater Hydraulics” in the
University of Bizerte, Tunisia.
Picture description: Measuring the waterlevel in a well in Siliana watershed, Tunisia.

Contact
Program Office of Environmental Sciences
Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences
University of Tsukuba
1-1-1 Tennnodai Tsukuba Ibaraki JAPAN, 305-8572
sustep@envr.tsukuba.ac.jp
Program website : http://www2.envr.tsukuba.ac.jp/eng/
SUSTEP website : http://www.envr.tsukuba.ac.jp/~sustep/• IC Net Ltd.
• Hitachi Systems Ltd.
• SystemEXE, Inc.
• Swing Corporation• Chevron Japan Ltd.
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs• Ministry of Environment• National Institute of Agro-Environmental Sciences• National Institute of Advanced Science and Technology• Riken• Japan Atomic Energy Agency• University of Tsukuba• Gifu University• Kita Kyushu City
• Forest Research Institute of Hokkaido• Forestry and Forest Products Research InstituteMongolia• Mongolian Agency for Standardization and Metrology• Adventist Development and Relief Agency• Mongolian Academy Sciences• Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology• Ministry of Nature, Environment, and Green Development

Tunisia• Water Researches and Technologies Center,
Borj Cedria Technopark

Vietnam• Cityneon Vietnam Company Ltd.
• Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment• Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development• Hanoi University of Agriculture• Vietnamese Academy of Agriculture Sciences• Institute of Meteorology Hydrology and Environment• Centre for Agriculture and Forestry Planning and Designation• Hue University of Agriculture and Forestry

JAPAN

TSUKUBA

NARITATOKYO

March 2015