HOKKAIDO UNIVERSITY

Graduate School of
Biomedical Scienceand Engineering
Guidebook for
the Master’s and Doctoral Programs

2024

HOKK AIDO UNIVERSIT Y

Graduate School of
Biomedical Science and Engineering

Guidebook for the Master’s and Doctoral Programs 2024

INDEX
Message from the Dean /Goals / Students we wish to enroll･･････････････････････ 1■ Organizational Chart ･･･････････････････････････････････････････ 2■ Features of the Graduate School ･････････････････････････ 3■ History of the School ･･･････････････････････････････････････････ 3■ Courses
Quantum Biomedical Scienceand Engineering Course ･･････････････････････････････････････ 5
Molecular Biomedical Scienceand Engineering Course ･･････････････････････････････････････ 7■ Application Guidelines for Prospective Studentsof the Master s and Doctoral Programs ･･･････････････ 9■ Educational Programs ･･･････････････････････････････････････ 11■ Messages from International & Graduated Students 12■ Campus Map / Access ･･････････････････････････････････････ 13■

Inquiries

Student Affairs Office,Graduate School of Biomedical Science and Engineering, Hokkaido University
Kita15, Nishi7, Kita-ku, Sapporo, 060-8638, Japan
TEL：+81-（0）11-706-5523/5526 FAX：+81-（0）11-706-8807
d-tanto@med.hokudai.ac.jp

Graduate School of Biomedical Science and Engineering, Hokkaido University

Please also see the video
introduction of the Graduate
School of Biomedical Scienceand Engineering.

Search

https://w w w.med.hokudai.ac.jp/en/bme
2 0 24.4.19

Goals of the Graduate School of
Biomedical Science and Engineering
The Graduate School of Biomedical Science and Engineering features a new disciplinary direction integrating thebiomedical science and engineering fields, aiming to apply the development of science and engineering to medical
science, under the four basic principles adhered to by Hokkaido University: Frontier Spirit, Global Perspectives,
All-round Education, and Practical Learning.
Biomedical Science and Engineering is a new field that aims to elucidate biological phenomena, overcome
diseases, and promote the health of humans by utilizing knowledge and technology obtained in science andengineering.

Our Educational Goals Include Training for the Following Professionals:■ Professionals who will contribute to the sustainable development of human society with high-level specialty knowledge and an

outstanding ethical perspective

Organizational Chart of
the Graduate Schoolof Biomedical Scienceand Engineering

Quantum Biomedical Scienceand Engineering Course(See pp. 5-6)
Particle Beams for Biomedical Scienceand Engineering■ Radiation Oncology■ Radiation Medical Physics

Graduate School of
Biomedical Science and Engineering
Dean of the Graduate School of
Biomedical Science and Engineering

Division of
Biomedical Scienceand Engineering■ Medical Applied Basic Physics■ Professionals who will accommodate advances and internationalization in developing medical technology and equipment with■ Medical Physics and Engineering

extensive knowledge and strong research abilities

To Achieve Our Educational Goals,
We Have Established the Following Two Courses:■ Quantum Biomedical Science and Engineering Course
offering an opportunity to acquire a thorough knowledge as needed to apply basic radiation physics developed from quantum
mechanics to medical science■

Molecular Biomedical Science and Engineering Course
offering an opportunity to acquire a thorough knowledge as needed to apply science and engineering to in vivo molecules inmedical science

In both courses, you can expect an innovative integrated education for the basic knowledge and skills in the fields of science andengineering as well as a basic education in medicine and medical ethics, systematically provided by all the members of the graduate
school faculty.

■ Clinical Medical Physics

Vice-dean
Faculty

Molecular Biomedical Scienceand Engineering Course (See pp. 7-8)

Committees

Biomedical Imaging
Administration Office■ Medical Image Analysis■ Integrated Molecular Imaging■ Biomarker Imaging Science

Our Ideas for What Kind of Students We Wish to Enroll

Biology for Biomedical Science andEngineering

We expect to enroll students who have strong interests in and curiosity about biomedical science andengineering as well as in the fields that form the basics of the courses (science, engineering, andmedicine) and who are equipped with the solid educational foundations required for studies here. The
students are also assumed to have aspirations to sincerely devote themselves to research by utilizing
the knowledge and skills they acquire here, and work to contribute to the sustainable development of
human society as specialists in biomedical science and engineering.

Message fromthe Dean

Dean of the Graduate School of
Biomedical Science and Engineering,
Hokkaido University

KUGE Yuji

01

Biomedical science and engineering is an academic discipline to elucidate life
phenomena, overcome diseases, and improve human health by utilizing theknowledge and technology of science and engineering in medicine. The
Graduate School of Biomedical Science and Engineering at Hokkaido
University was established on April 1, 2017 with the aim of developing
professionals capable of practicing biomedical science and engineering. The
graduate school is comprised of (1) the Quantum Biomedical Science andEngineering Course to develop professionals who can apply specialized
knowledge and skills of radiotherapy and particle beam therapy and related
medical equipment to medicine, and (2) the Molecular Biomedical Scienceand Engineering Course to develop professionals who can apply specialized
knowledge and skills of analysis and diagnostic imaging of in vivo molecularbehavior to medicine.

Graduate School of Biomedica l Science and Engineering

Radiation for Biomedical Scienceand Engineering■ Molecular Oncology■ Molecular andCellular Dynamics Research

Medical progress can only be achieved by combining not only the results ofmedical research but also the results of various studies in science,engineering and other fields with the development of science and technology.
Needless to say, radiology requires engineering research and thedevelopment of radiodiagnosis and radiotherapy equipment. Nuclear
medicine diagnostic imaging, including PET examinations, also requires
engineering research on diagnostic imaging equipment as well as many
physical and chemical studies such as nuclear physics/chemistry related tothe production of radionuclides and synthetic chemistry/pharmacy related tothe production of radiopharmaceuticals. Faculty members in a variety of
research fields, including not only medical fields specializing in radiology but
also science fields specializing in nuclear physics, molecular biology,
radiobiology and pharmaceutical science, and engineering fields specializing

in radiodiagnosis and radiotherapy equipment are involved in the educationaland research activities at this graduate school. I believe this is the best
environment for engaging in biomedical science and engineering education
and research, which is focused on utilizing the knowledge and skills ofscience and engineering in medicine to elucidate life phenomena, overcome
diseases, and improve human health.
I hope students who have studied biomedical science and engineering at thisgraduate school will play a leading role in Japan and the world as well as
contribute to society and medical care through research on cutting-edge
science and engineering applied to medicine, and development research of
new medical technology and equipment. We look forward to your continued
support and encouragement.

Graduate School of Biomedica l Science and Engineering

02

FEATURES OF

THE GRADUATE SCHOOLOF BIOMEDICAL SCIENCEAND
ENGINEERINGIn the Graduate School of Biomedical Science and Engineering, wehave established two courses to meet student interests and theneeds of their future careers: The Quantum Biomedical Scienceand Engineering Course to acquire the in-depth comprehensive
knowledge required to apply the basic radiation physics developed
through quantum mechanics to medical science, and the Molecular
Biomedical Science and Engineering Course to acquire thein-depth knowledge required to apply science and engineering toin vivo molecules in medical science. These courses are offeredwith unique curricula exclusive to our school.

Methods of Education
and Research
for Career Development
individualized research support through the collaboration of
the staff of the science, engineering, and medical faculties● Hokkaido University Hospital in-house training in subjects for

medical professionals and medical engineers who will play
active roles in medical settings as medical physicists

medical-related industry-academia-government
relevant knowledge, where it differs from standard
science, engineering, and biology. This includes thehistorical background to biomedical science andengineering, the importance of statistics grounded in
the diversity of life, medical economics, and medical
administration including the development of medical
equipment

diverse backgrounds to complete thelearning tasks systematically, ranging acrossmultiple subject areas● At the Graduate School of Biomedical Science andEngineering, courses are provided in English inprinciple if international students attend the courses.
Students can complete their programs only in English.

● World leading intensive lectures for education● Special selection for international students isin medical physics and radiation biology incooperation with internationally renowned
universities and other relevant organizations

August 14,

KITAGAWA Maho

● Subjects where students can acquire comprehensive● Productive course work for students with

Global Perspectives

Completed the Department of Biomarker Imaging Science of
Hokkaido University Graduate School of
Biomedical Science and Engineering in March 2022

Developing Skilled
Specialists witha Broad Comprehensive
Understanding

medicine, science, and engineering wherestudents will acquire the basic knowledge
and skills of these fields, in addition to abasic knowledge of medical science andmedical ethics

conducted online for those who have difficulty in visiting
Japan for an entrance exam. (See p.9)

October 1,

Developing
Specialized Personnel withHigh Ethical Standards● The subjects we offer will develop high ethical standards andprovide the ethical knowledge required, including the basics of
medical ethics, guidelines for clinical research and conflicts ofinterest, knowledge which is required for “research related tohuman beings” when conducting research and development of
medical technology and medical equipment

Attracted by the research content
My entry into the Graduate School of Biomedical
Science and Engineering was triggered when I visited
my current supervisor’s laboratory during my senioryear of college. She introduced me to her research on
the calculation of quantitative indicators from diagnostic
images to reflect the state and prognosis of diseases. It
had never before occurred to me to use numbers whenassessing images, which are normally assessedvisually, i.e., qualitatively, so I was fascinated andwanted to learn more about it.
Since entering the school, I have been conducting
research on the quantitative analysis of MRI images
and evaluation of such a system. In the master’s
degree program, I performed the quantitative evaluationof the MRI images of glioma and demonstrated thepossibility of predicting the presence ofprognosis-reflecting genes from MRI images showing
amide groups in tissues. In my current doctoral work, I
am evaluating the effects of nocturnal awakening on
the brain of healthy subjects using MRI.
I wish t o c ontribut e t o the de v elopment andadvancement of medical imaging technology based on
the knowledge of quantitative analysis of images that I
am learning at the school.

April
April 1,
1,

1876

1947

2008

2 01 2

2 017▶ Establishment of Sapporo
Agricultural College▶ Change of nameto Hokkaido University▶ “Program for Medical Physicist and Quality
Control Specialists” was established at theGraduate School of Medicine and
the Graduate School of Engineering▶ “Innovative Medical Physics Course”
established at the Graduate Schoolof Medicine and Graduate School of
Science, Hokkaido University▶ Establishment of the Graduate
School of Biomedical Scienceand Engineering, Hokkaido
University

April 1,

Hokkaido University Medical Hospital（1961）

April 1,

Real-time-image
Gated Proton Therapy

April 1,

1918

2004

2009

2 014

2 02 0▶ Establishment of Hokkaido
Imperial University▶ Changed to become Hokkaido University,
National University Corporation▶ Decision to build and establish
a Proton Beam Therapy Centerat the Hokkaido University
Hospital site

▶ Completion of construction of the
Hokkaido University Hospital Proton
Beam Therapy Center▶ Establishment of GI-CoRE (Global
Institution for Collaborative Research and
Education), a faculty organization under
the direct leadership of the president of
Hokkaido University▶ Internalized the Global Station for
Quantum Medical Science andEngineering of GI-CoRE into
the Global Center for Biomedical
Science and Engineering, Faculty of
Medicine▶ Establishment of an Endowed Chair andFunded Research Department for Real-time
Tumor-tracking with Molecular Imaging
Medicine in Hokkaido University Hospital

Sapporo Agricultural College（1876）03

3rd -year doctoral student,
Molecular Biomedical Scienceand Engineering Course of the Graduate Schoolof Biomedical Science and Engineering

conduct research and development of medical equipment,
including the quality control aspects, through actual innovative
development of medical equipment in collaboration withindustry● Lectures in interdisciplinary subjects for

Support System forInternational Students

Student● Customized opportunities for all students to be provided with● Subject curricula designed to train technical experts able toInterdisciplinary Subjects/ Course Work

History of the Graduate Schoolof Biomedical Science and Engineering

e from a
MessagGraduate School of Biomedica l Science and Engineering

Hokkaido University Hospital,
Proton Beam Therapy Center

Graduate School of Biomedica l Science and Engineering

04

Courses

Quantum Biomedical Scienceand Engineering Course
Students are expected to acquire a thorough knowledge of quantum
biomedical science and engineering, which is necessary to be able to apply
basic radiation physics knowledge developed from quantum mechanics to
medical science, as well as specialized knowledge and skills in radiation
therapy, particle therapy, and novel medical equipment related to these
therapies. The training in this course will enable students to conduct
international research, and play leading roles in the development of novel
medical equipment and technology related to radiation and particle therapies.

Particle Beams for Biomedical Science and Engineering

Radiation for Biomedical Science and Engineering
Medical Applied Basic Physics
In medical fields, such as radiation therapy and particle therapy, a deep understanding of natural science, especially physics,
can play an important role to solve problems and to develop new technologies. For example, the systematic study of nuclear
reaction probabilities (cross sections) is required to accurately estimate necessary amounts of medical radioactive isotopes (RI)
while minimizing unnecessary by-products.
We focus particularly on charged-particle
induced reactions using accelerators, andexperimentally measure production crosssections of such RI. We train specialists
to conduct research for the public from thephysics point of view and to obtain new
knowledge required for medical fields.

AIKAWA Masayuki,
Professor

Radiation Oncology

Metal foil used as target in experiments

SHIRATO Hiroki,
Professor

KOBASHI Keiji,
Lecturer

HASHIMOTO Takayuki,
Associate Professor

NISHIOKA Kentaro,
Assistant Professor

Highlighted Keywords

Radiotherapy is characterized by the possibility of preserving the original functions of the living body and by
maintaining the patient’s ability to function through the induction of the disappearance of neoplasms/tumors,
unlike surgery which treats cancer by the removal of organs/tissues from the body. X-ray radiotherapies andparticle beam therapies with charged particles achieve treatment by utilizing the physical characteristics ofthese rays by means of state-of-the-art scientific/engineering technology. The development of morepractically useful and effective devices and therapeutic techniques will be enabled if we view and discuss thefrontier technology of engineering and science on the basis of a deep understanding of human bodystructure/function and medical/physiological viewpoints, focusing for example on dose concentration for the
purpose of tumor control, dose reduction to normal tissues/organs to minimize adverse reactions and how todeal with body and organ movements that result from respiration, cardiac beating, peristalsis, etc. This
laboratory aims to cultivate talented students who arecapable of contributing to improvements in disease curerates and quality of life (QOL) for patients with cancer andother diseases through research on technologies dealing withthe motion of organs during radiotherapy, research onparticle beam therapies and the development of new medical
technology, as well as cultivating globally active researchersand educators on these topics.

Associate Professor

YOKOKAWA Kohei,
Assistant Professor

05

Medical Physics and Engineering

ISHIKAWA Masayori, NAKAMOTO Takahiro,
Assistant Professor

Professor

Following recent improvement in the outcome of treatment, thanks to advances in medical/scientific/engineering
technology, the need to radiotherapy has been increasing remarkably. Among others, particle beam therapy, which applies
accelerators to healthcare, is receiving much expectation as a means of minimizing the patient’s physical stress throughachieving dose concentration on the target cancer. Recently, the use of image guiding technology has made it possible toprovide treatment in a way tailored to the patient’s motions during treatment, morphological changes of the tumor,
bioreactions and other factors. This laboratory is aimed at utilization of the technology of science/engineering (radiation
physics, quantum beam applied engineering, image engineering, etc.) to healthcare. Specifically, in collaboration with the
Hokkaido University Hospital Proton Beam Therapy Center, this laboratory will engage in development of irradiation
technology/devices capable of reducing adverse events andimproving therapeutic efficacy, development of image guiding
technology incorporating detailed information about patient’s
motions and tumor’s morphological changes, development of dose
calculation/optimization techniques for realization of high precision
treatment, and comprehensive education/research through links of
medicine, science and engineering (verification of therapeutic
efficacy, taking into account also the cellular level reactions, etc.).
Through these activities, this laboratory will cultivate researchers of
medical physics and engineers for medical device development.

particle therapy, real-time tumor-tracking technique, image guidance technique

Graduate School of Biomedica l Science and Engineering

Although medical physics is an indispensable element for radiotherapy, it seems to be less mature in
Japan than in other countries. In the United States, leading the world in terms of radiotherapy, eachfacility providing radiotherapy has medical physicists, who is in charge of quality control of radiotherapy
and development of new radiotherapy techniques. In Japan, there is no sufficient environment for suchactive roles of medical physicists. Radiation measurement is a core technology not only for radiotherapy,
but also diagnostic radiology and nuclear medicine. Expertise
education on these topics is an element indispensable forcultivation of researchers in the field of medical physics andengineers engaged in development of radiotherapy devices.
This laboratory will cultivate researchers and engineers
capable of contributing to healthcare through development ofclinically useful technologies, in collaboration with the
Hokkaido University Hospital.
Radiation therapy system,
real-time tumor monitoring system

Highlighted Keywords

Hokkaido University Hospital Proton Beam Therapy Center

Highlighted Keywords

radioisotope, nuclear reaction, activation cross section

innovative radiation therapy, medical physics for radiation therapy, image-guided, real-time tumor monitoring system

Radiation Medical Physics

TAKAO Seishin,

Highlighted Keywords

Cross section of 169 Tm(d, 2n) 169 Yb

dosimetry, radiation treatment planning devices, research and development of new algorithm, quality assurance technology

Clinical Medical Physics

SUZUKI Ryusuke,
Assistant Professor

TAMURA Masaya,
Assistant Professor

KANEHIRA Takahiro,

New discovery for the next generation can be achieved if problems with clinical practice are viewed as
research seeds and attempts are made to find solution to such problems through utilization of theknowledge/skills of science and engineering. To this end, students will carry out research in areas closer
to a hospital, and confirm the ideas arisingfrom such research through experiments,
simulation, etc. at our laboratory, towards
the goal of acquiring research capabilities
leading to future radiotherapy anddevelopment of medical devices. During
the course of such activities, students
acquire the capabilities needed for medical
physicists. In this way, talents capable ofcontributing to the society will be cultivated.
Radiation therapy device and medical physics staff,
Hokkaido University Hospital

Assistant Professor

Highlighted Keywords

clinical medical physics, intensity modulated radiation therapy, proton therapy, real-time tumor tracking radiation therapy,
radiation treatment planning

Graduate School of Biomedica l Science and Engineering

06

Courses

Molecular Biomedical Scienceand Engineering Course
Students are expected to acquire a thorough knowledge of molecularbiomedical science and engineering, necessary to apply science andengineering to in vivo molecules in medical science, as well as havespecialized knowledge and skills in molecular imaging diagnostics,
molecular biology, and radiation biology. The training in this course will
enable students to conduct international research, and play leading roles
in international research and development projects of new molecular
image diagnostic equipment and drugs, oncolytic virotherapy, andradiation sensitizers.

Biomedical Imaging

Biomedical Imaging
Biomarker Imaging Science

Kenneth Sutherland,
Associate Professor

Assistant Professor

Medical Image Analysis
This laboratory involves research on computerized processingof images yielded from nuclear medicine tests (PET, SPECT(Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography)), CT, MRI
and so on aimed at precisely collecting medical informationfrom such visual data. Regarding tumor images, research ismade on estimation of tumor malignancy and volume,
estimation of the periphery of lesions, estimation of appropriate
range of irradiation, correction of artifacts on images arisingfrom respiratory motions and cardiac beats, and so on.
Regarding images of myocardium and brain, compartment
model analysis is carried out on serial dynamic images
following a dose of contrast material or radioisotope for the
purpose of quantitative evaluation of ischemic lesions andquantitative analysis of tissue blood flow, oxygen consumption,etc. Artificial Intelligence technology with deep learning is also
adopted for analyzing medical image data. Talents capable ofdeveloping programs for achievement of these goals will becultivated.

KATOH Chietsugu,
Professor

Molecular Oncology

Discussion about quantitative analysis for blood flow andoxygen consumption in tissue

YASUDA Motoaki,

Integrated Molecular Imaging

MIZUNO Yuki,

Professor

Assistant Professor

Tr a c to g r a m

Non-invasive quantitative images with MRI

Biology for Biomedical Science and Engineering

medical image analysis, nuclear medicine examination, compartment model analysis, deep learning

KUGE Yuji,

An MRI examination

biomarker imaging science, high precision imaging diagnostics, CT, MRI

Highlighted Keywords

Specially Appointed
Associate Professor

Highlighted Keywords

Significant efforts have been/ are being paid to achieve"Personalized Medicine". Non- or less invasive imaging techniquessuch as MRI and CT are extensively used in selection of treatment
methods, treatment planning and prediction/assessment ofresponses to treatment. This laboratory is carrying out researches
that target at the development of high resolution and precision
imaging diagnostics — which (i) pose little burden on patients, (ii)enable noninvasive detection of early subtle changes of the living
body, and (iii) reflect not only morphological information but also
the information on physiological changes of the body atcellular/molecular level. Education on normal radiologic anatomy
and diagnostic radiology making use of these imaging techniques
will also be provided.

For realization of diagnostic molecular imaging, it is indispensable to develop a probe (molecular
probe) for conversion of molecular information of the living body into measurable signals. This
laboratory is aimed at developing clinically applicable molecular imaging technology throughresearch of new molecular probes, i.e., through exploration of functional molecules, designing ofprobes, development of probe synthesis technology and synthesis devices, and translational
research for clinical application.
Recently, this laboratory is actively
conducting research on linking
diagnostic molecular imaging
technology to accurate treatment,that is, precision medicine andtheranostics. In addition, throughthese research and developmenta c tivities, this unit will guidestudents to acquire necessary
knowledge/skills systematically sothat they can contribute toProf. Kuge and Assistant Prof. Mizuno in front of PET・SPECT・CT for animal
healthcare and society.
researches.

Highlighted Keywords

Correct understanding of the mechanism for carcinogenesis at themolecular level is necessary for sufficient control of cancer, theleading cause of death among Japanese people. Suchunderstanding is indispensable for development of new cancer
diagnosis/treatment methods. In recent years, thorough analysis of
RNA including non-coding RNA has been advanced after the endof genome project, and the diverse relationships between
carcinogenesis and RNA have been revealed increasingly. At thislaboratory, new mechanisms for carcinogenesis are explored on
the basis of molecular biological analysis covering RNA, viruses,
etc., and systematical education/research, ranging from basics toapplied one, will be provided concerning development of newcancer diagnosis/treatment methods making use of the findings
from such exploration.

Molecular biological analysis of RNA andRNA-binding protein in cancer cells

molecular biological analysis, development of new methods of diagnosis and therapies to deal with cancer

Molecular and Cellular Dynamics Research

ONODERA Yasuhito,
Associate Professor

Radiation therapy is commonly used for treatment of cancer as one of the three major treatment modalities. However, as the underlying
mechanisms for malignant properties of cancer cells are diverse and variable, the radiation effects and its molecular mechanisms ontumor and surrounding normal tissues still remain elusive. We have been
investigating mechanisms inducing/suppressing the cell death in cancer
cells, and the resulting unfavorable effects in tumors, which take place
under the environmental stresses induced by therapy including radiation
and also by cancer cells themselves. We especially focus on the roles of
the three-dimensional cell/tissue structures, extracellular microenvironment,
cell-cell communication and cellular metabolism, using the experimental
techniques of biochemistry, molecular biology, cell biology and synthetic
biology. Through the research and education program, we train students tobe world-leading scientists and educators with great expertise in cancer
research and experimental techniques.
Cancer research using cell and animal models

Highlighted Keywords07

molecular imaging diagnostics, molecular probe design, molecular probe synthesis technology, theranostics

Graduate School of Biomedica l Science and Engineering

Highlighted Keywords

cancer invasion and metastasis, vesicle trafficking, extracellular microenvironment,
cell-cell interaction, cellular metabolism, radiation biology, synthetic biology

Graduate School of Biomedica l Science and Engineering

08Application Guidelines for Prospective Students of the Master s
and Doctoral Programs in the Division of Biomedical Science and Engineering

Overview of the Program

Master’s Program■

Doctoral Program

Standard length: two years■

Long-Term Study: Working students may take up to four years,
paying tuition for two years only.
■

Completion requirements■

study in the graduate school for at least two years
having earned at least 30 assigned credits
having received the required research instruction, master's thesis
accepted, and passing an examination■

Standard length: three years
Long-Term Study: Working students may take up to six years,
paying tuition for three years only.

Completion requirements
study in the graduate school for at least three years
having earned at least 10 assigned credits
having received the required research instruction, doctoral
thesis accepted, and passing an examination（at least one basic
research paper as the first author accepted or published in an
English-language journal）

Degree awarded

Master’s degree（in Biomedical Science and Engineering）■

Degree awarded

Doctor（in Biomedical Science and Engineering）

Notes（Master’s and Doctoral Programs）■

Scholarship information■

The graduate school does not have its own scholarship program. If you
wish to apply for Japanese Government Scholarship for Overseas
Research Students, inform the graduate school accordingly. For more
information on the system, refer to the website below:
Japanese Government Scholarship for Overseas Research Students(Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology website)

Educational programs
In addition to the regular curriculum, the graduate school provides the
Medical Physics Educational Program (including the Rare/PediatricCancer Biomedical Science and Engineering Program) and the Medical
Device Development Program (only master’s program). A diploma is
granted to those who have completed the programs (See p.11).

● Examination fee*: 30,000 Yen● Admission fee*: 282,000 Yen● Tuition fee: 535,800 Yen（per year）

Fees

There may be cases where the admission
and tuition fees are changed.
*If you are expected to complete the master course of our graduate school andare going to apply for this doctoral program after master course completion or
if you are a government-financed international student (person receiving
MEXT Scholarship grants), you are exempted from this fee but must include astatement to this effect when submitting the application.

http://www.mext.go.jp/a_menu/koutou/ryugaku/06032818.htm【 Examination Process Flowchart 】＊ Finding a faculty member who hosts international students

1) Using Details of Laboratories and List of Faculty on the Graduate School of Biomedical Science and Engineering website for reference to search fora desired faculty member.
(A mismatch between the research of the faculty member and the desired research of the student sometimes occurs. Check the website and papers
written by the faculty member carefully.)

Applicants

Refer to the details of researchstudies performed by faculty
members on pages 5 to 8

RequestApplication
Guidebook

Qualification
Review
as needed（

Appliecation（（

Refer tothe application
guidebook（

Refer tothe application
guidebook

Entrance
Examination

Successful
ApplicantsAnnouncement

2) Contact the graduate school
Send your Curriculum Vitae and previous studies as well as details of your desired research, study plan and faculty member to the Student Affairs Office of
the Graduate School of Biomedical Science and Engineering by e-mail ( d-tanto@med.hokudai.ac.jp ).
Please visit the website below to get the form of Curriculum Vitae.

URL: https://www.med.hokudai.ac.jp/en/bme/international-students/index.html① August Examination

Mid-May

Mid-June

Mid-July

Late Aug.

Mid-Sept.

② January Examination

Mid-Oct.

Early Nov.

Early Dec.

Late Jan.

Late Feb.

③ International Applicants

Early May

Late May

Early June

Late June - Early July

Late July

Special Selection for09

Graduate School of Biomedica l Science and Engineering

Note: For further details, please make sure to check the application guidelines on the website below:
https://www.med.hokudai.ac.jp/en/bme/admissions/index.html

Graduate School of Biomedica l Science and Engineering

10Message from an International Student

Educational Programs

Number of International Students

Medical Physics Educational Program■(Data as of March 1, 2024)

What is a Medical Physicist?

A medical physicist is a medical professional who contributes to medical care by ensuring that medical care involving
radiation is properly performed. In radiotherapy, medical physicists optimize treatment plans and conduct quality control
and verification of the actual medical application working with physicians, clinical radiological technologists andradiotherapy quality control specialists. Medical physicists also confirm the accuracy of the position and the amount ofradiation doses administered to the patient body, ensuring that they are within the clinically required range, and that thetreatment is performed as prescribed by the physicians. They also engage in medical physics research and development
related to radiotherapy. For matters related to diagnosis and nuclear medicine, they work with physicians to ensure themaintenance of a clear balance between effectiveness and safety of diagnoses and conduct quality control andverification of the diagnostic apparatus and images, working with the clinical radiological technologists. They also engage
in medical physics research related to diagnostic radiology.
1,463 medical physicists (as of December 20,2023) and 84 therapeutic medical physicists (as of October 10,2023) havebeen certified in Japan by the Japanese Board for Medical Physicist Qualification. They are actively working in various
fields including education, research, clinical settings and industry.
■

Medical Device Development(Master's program only)
ProgramThis program aims to train scientists who will be engaged inresearch and development mainly on diagnostic andtherapeutic equipment using radiation. In addition tocompulsory subjects covering the basics of medical device
development and research, students also have to complete
fundamental subjects on the characteristics and functions of
the human body, the effects of radiation on the human body,programming techniques, as well as applied subjects involving
medical device design and the handling of medical images andinformation. A “Certificate of Completion of the Medical Device
Development Program” will be awarded to successful students.
Please contact the academic affairs section of the graduate
school (d-tanto@med.hokudai.ac.jp) for detailed information
about the program.

Distribution by Country/Region
Area

LIN Longxin【China】

Choose world-class education and research environment,choose to be a great researcher

Staff of the Medical Physics
Educational Program

SUZUKI Ryusuke

About the ProgramThis program has been accredited as a medical physics education course that meets lecture/clinical standards
complying with the education curriculum guidelines set by the Japanese Board for Medical Physicist Qualification(JBMP). Those who have completed this course are given preferential treatment in gaining certification as a medical
physicist. For example, the required number of years of experience in medical physics for those who have completed amaster's degree is reduced from three to two years.
The program includes the Master’s Program, the Combined Master’s and Doctoral Program and the Doctoral Program.
The medical physicist examination is conducted in Japanese.
For more information about the curriculum, please refer to this page（https://www.med.hokudai.ac.jp/en/bme/medical-physicists.html）on our website. For further information about medical
physicist examinations and accreditation as a medical physicist, please refer to the website of the JBMP
（https://www.jbmp.org/english/）.

11

1st-year Doctoral Student
Molecular Biomedical Scienceand Engineering Course,
Department of Integrated
Molecular Imaging,in Clinical Medical（ Specialized（
Physics / Medical Physicist

about
the curriculum

websiteof the JBMP

Message fr
om a Certi
fied Medical

I am enrolled in the master’s program of the Graduate School of
Biomedical Science and Engineering at Hokkaido University, which its
beautiful campus and world-class education and research environment.
With the progress of medicine, more precise diagnosis and therapy arenecessary. I am conducting research in nuclear medicine, which offers
solutions to more precise medicine. This rapidly growing field combines
medical imaging, molecular biology, and radiation physics to diagnose
and treat diseases. Our research team has designed various kinds ofnuclear pharmaceuticals that are applied to diagnosis and therapy. I willcontinue this pharmaceutical research to contribute to the developmentof nuclear medicine.
I chose this Graduate School because the curriculum not only provides
a comprehensive understanding of nuclear medicine, but also
multidisciplinary skills and knowledge covering medicine, physicalscience, and engineering.
There are also many opportunities to communicate with scientists fromaround the world. I can truly recommend our Graduate School as itprovides a supportive and dynamic environment in which to pursue
one’s education and research goals.

Country/Region

NumberAsia
6 students(75%)

China

5

Thailand1

Africa2 student (25%)

Nigeria

1

Ghana

1

TOTAL

8

International Student Numbers by Graduate Program（ ）:number of female students included

Master's Program

Doctoral Program

2（ 1）

6（ 1）

Methods of Financial Support
Japanese government2

Self-Supported

6

TOTAL

8

Messages from the Former / Graduated Students
Physicist

To Those Aspiring to Become Medical Physicists
I learned about the profession of “medical physicist”
during an undergraduate lecture and later entered
the Graduate School of Biomedical Science andEngineering, which offers a Medical Physics
Educational Program. The master's program
equipped me with the necessary knowledge as a
medical physicist, and with the support of thosearound me, I passed the certification examination
for medical physicists. I decided to enter the
doctoral program as a way of gaining practical
medical physicist experience and delve deeper into
my radiation therapy research. I was trained inclinical radiotherapy planning, and this experienceis very useful for applying to my current position asa medical physicist. I am very glad that I could
study further. In my doctoral research, I proposedand evaluated a new parameter that predicts thedoses to organ at risk based on patient geometric
information, and published the results of myresearch in an academic paper. This research can
improve the quality and efficiency of radiation
therapy planning.
I hope to contribute to the development ofradiotherapy in the future by utilizing what I havelearned at the Graduate School of Biomedical
Science and Engineering.

Graduate School of Biomedica l Science and Engineering

National Institutes for Quantum
Science and Technology

postdoctoral researcher,
Global Center for Biomedical
Science and Engineering,
Hokkaido University

March 2023 graduate ofDoctoral program

March 2022 graduate of Doctoral
ProgramKASAMATSU Koki

Aspiring to Integrate Research in Science,
Engineering, and Medicine

Keiyukai Sapporo Hospital
March 2024 graduate of Doctoral
Program

SAITO Yuki

While studying physics at another university, I learned about
medical physicists and decided to study particle therapy. The hugeaccelerator used for cancer treatment I encountered in physics
experiments was very impressive and motivated me to enter
Hokkaido University, which has a proton therapy system, tocontinue research and eventually apply my knowledge of scienceand engineering in the field of medicine. I researched mathematicalformulas to express and evaluate the effect of irradiation time on
the therapeutic effect of proton therapy on cancer. Since my studies
involved physics, medicine, and biology, the environment at theschool allowed me access to varied cross-disciplinary information,
which was very useful to advance my research. Since discovering
the fascination of this field at the school, I have been working as a
researcher and continue to study heavy particle therapy using
accelerators. If you are considering higher education, you may findthe research possibilities at this school very rewarding. I hope theaccount of my experience may be helpful.

NISHIOKA Soichiro

Attractiveness of Fusion of Different Fields
I received my master’s and doctoral degrees from the Graduate
School of Biomedical Science and Engineering. Here I studied themechanisms of cancer cell resistance to radiation at the molecularlevel. It was fulfilling to make discoveries that lead to further
discoveries. I wish to remain at the university and contribute toadvances in medicine through cell biological research.
The strength of this graduate school is that experts in the diverse
fields from both biological and physical sciences collaborate tosolve medical problems, and opinions can also be exchanged withthose engaged in both basic and applied clinical research.
Professors at the Graduate School of Biomedical Science andEngineering are enthusiastic about both education and research,and support students to cultivate expertise in their field, learn toconduct research, and obtain communication skills while working
hard in a favorable environment. If you are interested, please feel
free to visit the laboratory and see the research content, feel theatmosphere, and get to know the personalities of the members.

Graduate School of Biomedica l Science and Engineering

12Elm Tu
nnel

Main lecture room

School of Veterinary Medicine
Graduate School of Infectious Diseases（ Northeast Research Bldg., 5F ）Sapporo Agricultural
College's Farm No. 2 Faculty of Medicine,(Important Cultural Property)
Hokkaido University HospitalChild Care Center Poplar

Academic
Alpine Hall

Enyu Gakusha Community Hall

Tennis Courts

SportsTraining CenterNorth 18 Gate
Institute for
the Advancementof Higher Education

BaseballField
Hockey /Handball Field

Admission Center

Martial Arts Facility
Hirota Kendo
Facility
Gym
Indoor Pool

Graduate Schoolof International Media,
Communication,
Multimedia Education Building
and Tourism Studies Center for Advanced Tourism Studies
IndoorCenter for
The Open University
Sports Facility
Language Learning of Japan Hokkaido Study Center
Miyakozoyayoi
Health Care Center
Monument
Welfare Facilities
Hokkaido University(Hokubu Shokudo)
School of Medicine
North
Monument to
Library Centennial Hall
Yuei Dormitory
Central Instituteof Isotope Science
Frontier Research
Graduate Schoolin Applied Sciencesof Chemical Sciences
Building
and Engineering
Institute forStudent Communication
Genetic Medicine
StationNishi 5-chome-dori Avenue

Clubs andSocieties Bldg.

Baseball
Field

Kita 18-jo

Kanjo Gate

Athletics
Track

Monument to Tracesof Dormitory

e
enu
r Av
opla
ei P
is
e
H

Soccer /Rugby Field

Main entrance ofGraduate School of
Biomedical Science andEngineering

Graduate Schoolof Engineering Center
for Advanced Researchof Energy and Materials

10

Experimental Farm No. 1(Wide Area Evacuation Site)2

Graduate Schoolof Information Scienceand Technology
Research Center
for Integrated Quantum Electronics

Ishiy
ama

School of Engineering

Pop

)
452
oute
et(R
Stre

Flowering Tree
Garden5

1

Proton Beam
School of Therapy Center
Dental Medicine

Faculty of Medicine,Northeast Research Bldg.

2

Faculty of Health Sciences,
A Bldg.

5

Faculty of Dental Medicine,
C Bldg.

8

Faculty of Engineering,
Q Bldg. / N Bldg.

3

Central Institute of Isotope Science,
South Bldg.

6

Faculty of Medicine,
Central Research Bldg.

9

Faculty of Science,
Main Bldg.

（Radiation Medical Physics）

Radiation Oncology（ / Clinical Medical Physics （（Medical Applied Basic Physics）

Dental Clinical Divisionof Hokkaido University Hospital

Hokkaido University
Hospital
School of Medicine
Graduate School of Biomedical
Restaurant
Science and EngineeringRoyal
Research and Education
Center for Brain Science

7

1

6

9

Patients-onlyparking

Front Office for Human
North 13 Gate
Ginkgo Avenue
Resource Education
and Development
Center for Environmentaland Health Science
Ono Pond Education and Research
School ofCenter for MathematicalPharmaceutical Graduate School
and Data Scienceof Health Sciences
Faculty House
Sciences
Trillium
Seicomart Hokkaido Daigaku Store

4

4
Monument to First Artificial Japanese Archery Facility
Information Initiative
Snow Crystal
Center (North Building) Kodomo No Sono
Child Care Center
Chuo Shokudo Archeological3
Research Center
Nitobe Avenue
HU
Graduate School
Information Initiative
shop
of Life Science
Center (South Building)School of Education
Graduate School
Schoolof Chemical Sciences
Tennisof Scienceand Engineering
CourtsThe Hokkaido
School of
Faculty of Advanced
University
Graduate School
Humanities
Life Science
Museumof Environmental Science /and Human Sciences
Faculty of Environmental
Humanities and Social Sciences
Slavic-EurasianMonument toEarth Science
Classroom Building
Center for Experimental Research Center
Wheat Research
Research in Social Sciences
Hokkaido University
School of Law
Elm Grove
Centennial Hall
Public Policy School of Library
Graduate School
School Economics
FormerSchooland Businessof Global Food
Furukawa
Administration
Hokkaido Universityof Agriculture Library
Resources
Hall
BureauAlumni Association ELM
The Old School
Monument to the Hokudai Marche Bust of
Hull Elm DonatedShosukeSatoof Entomology
Imperial Visit
Cafe
and
Labo
by Mrs. Nitobe
School of Agriculture
Monument to
Bust ofPreparatory Courses
Main Gate
Dr. William S. Clark
Central Lawn Center forSouth Gate
Information Center
Ainu & Indigenous
The Elm Forest
StudiesMonument in Honor
of Nitobe Inazo

Hokkaido University Hospital,
Central Clinical Bldg.

（Integrated Molecular Imaging）

Physics and Engineering（ Medical（/ Medical Image Analysis

SubwayKita juni jo Statione

Field Science Center
for Northern Biosphere

venu

lar A

Agri-Food
Center8

SubwayKita juhachi jo Station

Keiteki-Ryo（Biomarker Imaging Science）

ni River

Sakushukoto

JR

Ha
ko
da
te
Li n
e

Monument toSoen Dormitory

Clark Memorial Hall
Hokkaido
University
Archives

Conference Hall

Hokkaido
University Co-op

Career Center

Subway Namboku LineInternational
House Kita 8

7（Molecular Oncology）

HU
shop

［ Access to the Sapporo Campus ］

S ubwaubway
y

For Asahikawa /ChitoseJR
Sapporo Station◇The names for graduate schools located in the same building as the faculty are omitted◇ ( ) indicates other facility

0100

Kita 12-jo Sta.
（Namboku Line）……10-min. walkKita 18-jo Sta.
（Namboku Line）……10-min. walkKita 13-jo Higashi Sta.
……15-min. walk
（Toho Line）

SubwaySapporo Station

For Hokudaibotanical garden

KKAIDO UNYHOI V E RSIT

200

300
m

10
Related Facilities

13

Graduate School of Biomedica l Science and Engineeringand（ Molecular
Cellular Dynamics Research （Kita 8-jo

Tomoni Child Care Center※When both graduate school and undergraduate
facilities are in the same building, the map onlyshows undergraduate.

Hokkaido University Hospital,
Proton Beam Therapy Center

Student Affairs Office,Graduate School of Biomedical
Science and Engineering＊Enter the main entrance andturn right at the first corner.

J
JR
R（ Ra
R ailway
ilw ay ）■ From JR Sapporo Sta. : 20-min. walk

Graduate School of Biomedica l Science and Engineering

Bu s■ From the Kitaguchi of the JR

Sapporo Sta.
Any of Chuo Buses 01・03・04 of theTonden line
Get off at the Hokudai Byoin Mae
stop: 3-min walk

New Chitose Airport to JR Sapporo Station■ 40-min. by JR■ 80-min. by bus

14