Hirosaki University
Graduate School ofAgriculture andLife ScienceOverview
The graduate school consists of five programs: Biology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Applied Biosciences, Agriculture and Horticulture, and Agricultural and EnvironmentalEngineering. These programs offer interdisciplinary andinternationally-oriented educational and research opportunities, and also it aims to raise highly competent humanresources like follows:
Specialists who can contribute to the development andgrowth of their communities
Highly skilled engineers with the ability to work in locations throughout the world
Researchers who can engage in the exploration of cutting-edge issues.
In general, two years of study are required to obtain a masterʼ s degree. After then, Students who desire to obtain adoctorate degree can proceed to the doctoral program of
the United Graduate School of Agricultural Sciences, Iwate
University (UGAS). Hirosaki University is a member of theunited graduate school dedicated to doctoral courses in agricultural sciences.

Contact
3 Bunkyo-cho, Hirosaki, Aomori 036‑8561, JAPAN
Phone: +81-172‑36‑2111 (Hirosaki University)
Fax: +81-172‑39‑3750 (Graduate School of Agriculture and Life Science)
E-mail: jm3748@hirosaki-u.ac.jp
Department: http://nature.cc.hirosaki-u.ac.jp/english
Faculty members: http://nature.cc.hirosaki-u.ac.jp/english/staﬄist/

Biology

Basic Biology
Understanding how the common and diversified rules inliving organisms evolve.
This program will help students deepen their understandingof life through the study of metabolics, environmentalresponses, reproduction, heredity traits, births, behaviors,
and the evolution of living organisms. Students will research
the different phenomena that occur in animals, plants, fungi,algae, and bacteria at the cellular, individual, and collectivelevels.

Ecology, Evolution, andEnvironmental Biology
Considering biological evolution and conservation from theperspectives of ecological and environmental sciences.
Through fieldwork, students will learn how humans andother creatures live together harmoniously. Students will
also study how to preserve the environments of living creatures as well as understand the diversity of animals, theiradaptation strategies, and their evolution mechanisms.

Biochemistry andMolecular Biology

Basic Life Science
In this program, students who are curious about the biological functions of living organisms (from microbes to mammals) can learn about such functions at the cellular, genetic, molecular, and atomic levels. In general, there are various
functions of a cell (the fundamental unit of a body) andmany discoveries have been made regarding biological phenomena and mechanisms. However, we still have a limited
understanding of their processes. Therefore, this program
will provide students with the state-of-the-art knowledge
and technology necessary for revealing how the cellularmechanisms are highly regulated and properly maintained.

Applied Life Science
This program focuses on the development of new biotechnologies through the exploitation and investigation of usefulbiological functions. Natural bioprocesses have provided us
with benefits such as food, medicine, materials, and energies. In the applied life science program, students who areinterested in revealing cellular mechanisms as well as theiruses can learn about the application of biological products
and functions. In addition, they can acquire essential knowledge for understanding biochemical reactions and cellularmechanisms.

Applied Biosciences

This graduate program is designed to nurture skilled specialists and develop food resources through multidisciplinary approach in plant breeding, microbiology, soil andpest management, food functionality and food safety.

Food Development
Development of food resources using advanced biotechnology.
RESEARCH AREA: Plant Breeding, Environmental Plant Science, Microbial Genetics, Molecular Nutrition Food functionality, Food Safety, Food Physical Chemistry etc.

Production Environment
Research for creating a safe production environment thatsustains biological resources through cross-interactions between crops, soil and various insects and microorganisms.
RESEARCH AREA: Agrology, Plant Pathology, Insect Physiology, etc.

Agriculture and Horticulture

Agriculture and Horticulture
This program focuses on creating new value for the field ofAgriculture and Horticulture.
This purpose of this program is to provide students withstrong, multifaceted, comprehensive, and practical knowledge of a wide variety of food productions, ranging fromfruits, farm-produced food, vegetables, herbs, and farm animals to farming machines and equipment.
Students also focus on both the theory and practicality ofagriculture and food, which are two aspects that are greatly
connected to the future of our world and humanity.

Agricultural Economics
A solution to the problem of agriculture and food can moveregions and the world.
This program focuses on various issues related to the management, economics, and marketing of food and agriculture
from the viewpoints of natural science and social science.
Students also acquire theoretical and practical knowledge
about how to improve farming, agricultural, and livestock
product marketing. In addition, from the economical problems of agriculture and food, students determine the best
approach toward agricultural and regional vitalization in thefuture.

Agricultural andEnvironmental Engineering

The program is designed to help graduate students become
highly skilled experts with independent problem-solving
skills and the highly specialized knowledge and skills
necessary for the management of production infrastructure,
the maintenance of a living environment for local residents,
and development of planning methods, all with the aim ofprotecting and conserving the natural environment. All
programs therefore require that students take courses on
research methodology and presentation skills. Required
courses also include research, hands-on exercises, andseminars customized for each academic discipline, as wellas courses on water, soil, infrastructure, and theenvironment that are specifically designed for this Course.

Research fields of this program include:
Environmental Water Use Engineering
Irrigation, Drainage and Hydraulic Engineering
Irrigation, Drainage Water Use Engineering
Agricultural Land Engineering
Agricultural Land Physics
Agricultural Land Conservation
Agricultural Information Engineering
Agricultural Facilities Engineering
Rural Energy Engineering
Rural Planning
Watershed-based Erosion Control Engineering