Application Guidelines for
Five-year Doctor’s Course
October 2022

Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology

OKAYAMA UNIVERSITY

Objectives and Descriptions of the Division of Earth and Planetary Materials Science(five-year doctor’s course)
Objectives
Understanding the origin, evolution and dynamics of the Earth and other planets over a broad time span fromthe formation of the solar system to the present, from the standpoint of materials science, is a fundamental goal of
Earth and planetary science. The objective of this division is to train talented young researchers with high abilities
to conduct scientific researches and education toward this goal, so that they will potentially become the next
generation of leaders in the international Earth and planetary science community. To that end, the educational
environments of the division, unlike many conventional Japanese-style graduate schools, have been created to caterfor the education of graduate students who have strong desire to pursue a career in scientific research.
Descriptions
This division has adopted a doctoral degree program that has a maximum period of five consecutive years after
enrollment and does not require a prior Master’s degree. In this way, students will be able to study with a clear goalof obtaining a doctoral degree at the start of the program. For those who have demonstrated exceedingly highabilities and performance, it is possible to earn a doctoral degree in a minimum of three years after completing an
undergraduate program. Students who had an educational background in a field other than earth sciences may findthe five-year period beneficial and sufficient to systematically build up the necessary knowledge and skills in earthmaterials science.
In order to complete the program and receive a doctoral degree, the students must pass a qualifying examination(proposal defense) that will be held within the period before two and a half years after enrollment, as well as a final
oral examination (final defense) near the end of the program, in addition to completing required course work. Those
who failed to pass the proposal defense will be advised to withdraw from the program. Each of these examinations
will be held by an examination committee that includes leading researchers from overseas, in addition to faculty
members from the division; and the evaluations will be based on internationally recognized standard.
In this division, graduate students with diverse nationalities will be supervised and taught in English, and will
benefit from a unique international atmosphere of research and education that allows them to interact closely withthe world-class faculty and other researchers. The Institute for Planetary Materials, which is hosting the division,
has been designated as a joint-use and collaborative research center in the field of Earth and planetary materials
science by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, and is constantly the host forcollaborative researchers both from Japan and worldwide. Graduate students will thus be able to conduct theirresearch under the guidance of front-line researchers, and develop hands-on scientific communication skills andhigh research skills in his/her field of specialty. Administrative staffs fluent in English communications are available
to assist international students in various ways with their study in Japan.
By providing such an international research and educational environment, the division endeavors to educate thenext generation of independent, world-class researchers and to contribute to the advancement of knowledge.

Policies for Graduate Education（Diploma Policy, Admission Policy, Curriculum Policy）
Please refer to the following website about the Policies for Graduate Education
https://www.gnst.okayama-u.ac.jp/en/about_us/admission_policy/1

Ⅰ. Admission Quota
October 2022Admission
Division name

Quota

Division of Earth and Planetary Materials Science

A few

Ⅱ. Application Guidelines
1. Eligibility for Application
Applicants must fall into one of the following categories by September 2022 to be eligible for application:(1) Applicants who have graduated from a university accredited by the School Education Law.
(2) Applicants who have received a bachelor's degree pursuant to Article 104 Paragraph 7 of the School
Education Law (Law No. 26, 1947) (see Note 1).
(3) Applicants who have completed a 16-year curriculum of education in a foreign country (see Note 2).
(4) Applicants who have completed a 16-year curriculum of education of a foreign country in Japan via
correspondence education offered by schools in that country.
(5) Applicants who have completed a curriculum of education from a foreign university in Japan, which
conforms to that country’s educational system (limited to those equivalent to a 16-year curriculum inthat country) and has been designated by the Minister of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports,
Science and Technology (MEXT) of Japan.
(6) Applicants who have received a bachelor's degree from a foreign university or other foreign school(limited to those received an evaluation on their comprehensive situation of education and research
activities etc. by a person who received certification from the foreign government or the related agencies
or the equivalent which meets other criteria established by the Minister of MEXT) by completing thecourse of three or more years (including completing the course of the foreign university in Japan via
correspondence education, and completing the course of educational facility positioned in the foreignschool education system which meets other criteria established by the Minister of MEXT).
(7) Applicants who have completed a postsecondary course in a specialized training college designatedby the Minister of MEXT (limited to courses that are four years or longer and also meet other criteria
established by the Minister of MEXT) after the date of designation.
(8) Applicants designated by the Minister of MEXT (See MEXT decree No. 5, 1953).
(9) Applicants who are enrolled in another graduate school pursuant to the provisions of the School
Education Law Article 102 Paragraph 2, and are judged to have appropriate academic ability to receive
graduate school education (see Note 3).
(10) Applicants who are judged to have academic ability equivalent to or exceeding that of a university
graduate through individual qualification examination, and have reached the age of 22 (see Note 4).
(11) Applicants who have attended university for three or more years, and are judged to have acquired
sufficient credits with excellent academic records from a graduate school (see Note 5).
(12) Applicants who have completed a 15-year curriculum of education in a foreign country, and are judged
to have acquired sufficient credits with excellent academic records from a graduate school (see Notes
5 and 6).

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(13) Applicants who have completed a 15-year curriculum of education of a foreign country in Japan via
correspondence education offered by schools in that country, and are judged to have acquired sufficientcredits with excellent academic records from a graduate school (see Note 5).
(14) Applicants who have completed a curriculum of education from a foreign university in Japan that
conforms with that country’s educational system (limited to those equivalent to a 15-year curriculumin that country) and are judged to have acquired sufficient credits with excellent academic records froma graduate school (see Note 5).
(Note 1) “1. Eligibility for Application (2)” refers to the following:① Applicants who can submit a certificate of bachelor’s degree (or proof of acceptance of application
for the certificate of bachelor’s degree) issued by the National Institution for Academic Degrees
and Quality Enhancement of Higher Education (NIAD-QE).
② Applicants who are enrolled in an advanced course accredited by NIAD-QE according to Article
6 Paragraph 1 of the Degree Regulations (Notification No. 9 of Ministry of Education, Science
and Culture, 1953), and can provide proof from the president of the Junior College or TechnicalCollege, where the course is established, for the expectation of the applicant’s graduation andapplication for a bachelor's degree.
(Note 2) Applicants corresponding to “1. Eligibility for Application (3)” refers to those who have completed a
16-year of curriculum of regular school education in a foreign country. Applicants, who have skipped
grade(s), but have completed the 16th year of the curriculum in a country where 16 years are normallyrequired before graduation from a university, are regarded equivalent to the above even if under the ageof 22 .
(Note 3) Applicants corresponding to “1. Eligibility for Application (9)” refers to those who wish to transferfrom another graduate program currently enrolled via early admission, and can submit “⑫ Certificate
of Period of Enrollment in Another Graduate Program” in“(5) Documents Required for Application”
of “4. Application Procedures”.
(Note 4) Applicants corresponding to “1. Eligibility for Application (10)” refers to those who are judged to beeligible for application after qualification evaluation on the basis of application documents, an academic
proficiency test (oral). When the academic ability of the applicants can be ascertained from thesubmitted documents, the academic proficiency test may be waived.
(Note 5) Applicants “judged to have acquired sufficient credits with excellent academic records from a graduate
school”, referred to in “1. Eligibility for Application” (11-14), are prescribed separately.
(Note 6) Applicants who have “completed a 15-year curriculum of education in a foreign country”, referred toin “1. Eligibility for Application” (12), include those who have completed university education after
skipping grade(s) in a country where it normally takes 15 years of education before graduation from a
university.

32. Review of eligibility
For applicants corresponding to “1. Eligibility for Application” (10) to (14), a preliminary review of
eligibility will be conducted. Submit the following documents during the period indicated below to: theGraduate School Section, Academic Affairs Division, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology,
Okayama University.
Submission period for eligibility review
October 2022 enrollment (first recruitment)

May 6, 2022 – May 9, 2022

October 2022 enrollment (second recruitment)

June 30, 2022 – July 1, 2022

Documents to be submitted for eligibility review
Documents required for application
eligibility review

Summary① Form of eligibility for application

Use the provided form [Qualification Review (1)].

(see note 1)② Record of academic performance

Use the provided form [Qualification Review (2)].

(see note 1)

Please briefly describe the scientific findings of yourpast research related to your desired major.
Attach a reprint or photocopy of published papers, anda summary or abstract of meeting presentations.

③ Certificate of research participation

Use the provided form [Qualification Review (3)].

(see note 1)

This should be filled by your affiliated institution.

④ Statement of purpose

Use the provided form [Qualification Review (4)].

(see note 1)⑤ Academic transcript

Submit a transcript issued by the president or dean of
the most recent university from which you graduated.

⑥ Graduation certificate

Submit a certificate issued by the president or dean of
the most recent university from which you graduated.

(Note 1) Forms ①, ②, ③ and ④ are attached to the end of the application form.
(Note 2) Documents must be submitted in ORIGINAL. For documents ⑤ and ⑥, a copy of the original
document verified by the issuer is acceptable.
(Note3) The result of the Admission Eligibility Screening will be notified through your prospective

supervisor.
Enrollment

Date of notification of screening result

October 2022 enrollment (first recruitment)

May 25, 2022

October 2022 enrollment (second recruitment)

July 20, 2022

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3. For applicants with disabilities
Applicants with disabilities, requiring special support during the entrance examination or graduate study,
may consult us before application submission during the period shown below. Please try to make contact earlyin order to allow enough time for the necessary arrangement to be made and for informing you the outcome.
End ofOctober 2022 enrollment (first recruitment)

May 9, 2022

October 2022 enrollment (second recruitment)

July 1, 2022

consultation
periodMethod ofconsultation

Request a copy of “Pre-consultation Document for Application”, and submit alongwith a medical certificate (and a copy of disability certificate if available) for
consultation.
Graduate School Section, Academic Affairs Division,
Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology,

Inquiries

Okayama University
3-1-1, Tsushimanaka, Kita-ku, Okayama, 700-8530, Japan
Phone: 086-251-8810

4. Application Procedure(1) Submission methods
Applicants should submit the “Documents Required for Application” in (5) during the “Submission Period
for Application” described in (2). Please either deliver the documents to the office (open between 8:30 am
and 5:00 pm), or send via “registered express mail” , with “Application Enclosed for the Division of Earthand Planetary Materials Science, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University,”marked in red on the envelope, ensuring that it arrives before the end of the submission period. Perspective
applicants should contact the supervisor he/she wishes to work with in advance to discuss research projects.
Those who are interested in organic geochemistry should contact faculty in the Department of Analytical
Planetary Chemistry.
(2) Submission period for application
October 2022 enrollment (first recruitment)

May 26, 2022 – June 6, 2022

October 2022 enrollment (second recruitment)

August 1, 2022 – August 2, 2022

(3) Submit to:
Graduate School Section, Academic Affairs Division,
Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology,
Okayama University
3-1-1，Tsushimanaka, Kita-ku, Okayama, 700-8530, Japan
Phone: 086-251-8810

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(4) Remarks① No revisions of the applications are allowed after submission.
② Applications will not be returned for any reason after submission.
③ Applications that are incomplete or do not have sufficient application fee payment accompanied will
not be accepted.
④ In case any of the application materials are found fraudulent, the admission may be revoked evenafter enrollment.
⑤ Certificates with applicant’s former name (e.g., maiden name) are acceptable. In this case, pleaseattach a document prepared by the applicant in person, indicating your present and former names,
and the date the change took place.
(5) Documents required for application
Documents required for
application① Application for admission,

Remarks
The applicant should fill out, in person, the provided forms.

Curriculum vitae,

Submit two portrait photos, sized 4 cm (height) x 3 cm (width), taken within

Admission ticket for

the last three months. It must show the front-facing view of the upper bodyexamination,

without a hat. Write your name on the back of the photographs. Glue them

Photographson the “Applications for admission” and “admission ticket for

examination”.
② Entrance examination fee

30,000yen (handling fees will be charged separately)
Please refer to “Paying for Entrance Examination Fees” below and pay
the entrance examination fee by 17:00 (Japan time) on the last day of theapplication period on “Payment for Entrance Examination Fee website".
In addition, please be sure to choose "Credit Card" for payment method.
Other payment methods cannot use from overseas.
After confirming the payment of the entrance examination fee, print"Certificate of Entrance Examination Fee Payment" and attach it to theprescribed section of the prescribed form.
“Paying for Entrance Examination Fees”
https://www.gnst.okayama-u.ac.jp/en/admission/gnst_dtest_youkoutop_en“Payment for Entrance Examination Fee website”
https://e-apply.jp/n/okayama-payment-eng
If you could not pay by the payment method above, contact Graduate
School Section, Academic Affairs Division, Graduate School of Natural
Sciences.
【continue to next page】

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② Entrance examination fee(continued from previous page)

Refund of Entrance Examination Fee

The entrance examination fee paid is not refundable for any reason,
except in the following cases:
A. Entrance examination fee was paid, but application was not made(application documents were not submitted or not accepted.)
B. Entrance examination fee was accidentally transferred twice.
C. Those applicants who are Japanese-government sponsored students
need not pay the entrance examination fee, in principle. However, inthe case in which the period of their scholarship ends by September
30, 2022, the payment of the entrance examination fee is required.
When the extension of the scholarship period is approved, the entrance
examination fee will be refunded.
D. Those to whom the entrance examination fee exemption described
below is applicable paid the entrance examination fee and completed
the prescribed application procedures because the acquisition ofcertificates within the application period was difficult.
Entrance examination fee exemption
Okayama University offers entrance examination fee exemption for
those who fell under the Disaster Relief Law after April 2021 to reduce
financial burden and secure an opportunity for advancement.

③ Undergraduate academictranscript(see note)④ Graduate school academictranscript(see note)⑤ Certificate of (expected)
graduation(see note)⑥ Certificate of (expected)
completion of graduate
program⑦ Thesis, etc.

(see note)

Submit a certificate issued by the president or dean of the university you
attended.
Submit a certificate issued by the president or dean of the graduate
school (for applicants who have attended graduate school).
Submit a certificate issued by the president or dean of the university
from which you graduated or expect to graduate.
Submit a certificate issued by the president or dean of the graduate
school (for applicants who have attended graduate school).
For applicants who have attended graduate school, submit one of thefollowings:
・Abstract of Master thesis (about 2,000 words on A4 paper, format not
specified) for those who have obtained a Master’s degree・Progress report (about 2,000 words on A4 paper, format not specified)and other materials such as meeting presentation materials (ifavailable), for those who expect to complete a Master program, but
do not have a Master thesis.

7⑧ Research plan

On A4 paper, format not specified.

⑨ Summary of past research

On A4 paper, format not specified.

⑩ Certificate of research

Only for applicants corresponding to “1. Applicant Eligibility” (3) or (4).

participation⑪ Certificate of bachelor's

Submit a certificate using the provided form.
Only for applicants corresponding to “1. Applicant Eligibility” (2).

degree or proof of

For those who expect to receive a bachelor’s degree, submit a certificate

acceptance of applicationof expected graduation for the advanced course enrolled and a proof forfor the certificate of

the expectation of the applicant’s application for a bachelor's degreebachelor’s degree

issued by the president of the Junior College or Technical College (Format
unspecified)⑫ Certificate of the period of
attendance in graduate

Only for applicants corresponding to “1. Applicant Eligibility” (9).

school in another course⑬ Sheet of address

Fill in all necessary information.

(Note1) Applicants who were judged to be qualified for application at the “review of eligibility” stage do notneed to submit items ③ to ⑥. Applicants who graduated or expect to graduate from Okayama
University do not need to submit items ③ to ⑥.
(Note2) Documents ①, ③, ④, ⑤, ⑥, ⑩, ⑪ and ⑫ must be submitted in ORIGINAL. For documents③, ④, ⑤ and ⑥, a copy of the original document verified by the issuer is acceptable.
(6) About the use of personal information
The application documents and personal information contained will be used for the purpose of admission
selection. The name and examination number of successful applicants will also be used in the tuition
management system. For enrolled students, the personal information from the application documents (e.g.
name, sex, date of birth, present address, university graduated) will be registered in the student information
system. When requests for applications for admission fee exemption, admission fee deferral and tuition
exemption, and application for the Japan Student Services Organization scholarships were made, the scoresof the entrance examination and academic transcripts submitted may be used to help judge the academic
ability of the applicants.

5. Delivery of admission ticket for the examination
Admission tickets for examination will be sent to your prospective supervisor around date stated below.
Please receive it from your prospective supervisor.
October 2022 enrollment (first recruitment)

June 9, 2022

October 2022 enrollment (second recruitment)

August 9, 2022

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6. Selection Method
The selection for admission will be conducted based upon comprehensive review of the submitted
documents and the oral examination result. Depending on the review outcome of the documents submitted,
applicants may be exempted from oral examination.
Oral examination will be conducted on the following date. Notification of the location will be sent out laterby the director of the Division of Earth and Planetary Materials Science.
October 2022 enrollment (first recruitment)

June 13, 2022, 9:30am

October 2022 enrollment (second recruitment)

August 22, 2022, 9:30am

Note 1. The schedule of oral examination is subject to change. Applicant will be notified if this happens.
Note 2. If no information about the date, time, or place of the oral examination has been received by June
10 for June 13 selection, August 17 for August 22 selection, please inquire to the office in charge.
(p. 10).

7. Announcement of selection results
The announcement of selection results will be posted as follows. The examination numbers of successful
applicants will be posted on the bulletin board. Documentations for admission will be mailed out to thesuccessful applicants on the same day. The examination numbers of successful applicants will subsequently beposted on the web site (https://www.gnst.okayama-u.ac.jp/ja/admission/). Telephone inquiries
regarding the selection results are not accepted.
Entrance examination

Date

Posting location

October 2022 enrollment(first recruitment)

June 24, 2022,

Bulletin board in front of the administrative office,10:00 am

Graduate School Section, Academic Affairs Division(1st floor, faculty of engineering Bldg. 1),

October 2022 enrollment(second recruitment)

September 7,

Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology,

2022, 10:00 am

Okayama University

8. Enrollment procedures(1) Method of enrollment procedures
Successful applicants will be accepted into the graduate school after having completed the enrollment
procedures. Details will be separately informed to successful applicants later.
(2) Period of enrollment procedures
The period for enrollment procedures has been scheduled as follows. However, successful applicants will
be informed about details later.
October 2022 enrollment

September 16, 2022 – September 20, 2022

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9. Others(1) Expected admission fee and tuition
admission fee￥282,000
tuition fee￥267,900 (semester) ￥535,800 (annual)
If the fees are revised at enrollment or during your graduate program, the revised fees will apply from thedate of revision.
Additional expenses such as Personal Accident Insurance for Students Pursuing Education and Research
are also necessary.
(2) Scholarship and Research Assistantship
Graduate students who are outstanding and in need of financial support can apply for scholarships and/or
research assistantship offered by the university and the Institute for Planetary Materials.
(3) Okayama University has established the “Security Export Control Regulations of Okayama University”
under the Security Export Control System based on the “Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade Act (FEFTA)”,and conducts strict screening when accepting foreign students.
If you are subjected to this regulation or FEFTA, you may not be accepted or your desired research
activities may be restricted.
For details concerning the Security Export Control System in Japan, please refer to the following website.
URL； https://www.meti.go.jp/policy/anpo/englishpage.html(4) For inquiries about your application, contact the following office:Graduate School Section, Academic Affairs Division,
Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology,
Okayama University
3-1-1，Tsushimanaka, Kita-ku, Okayama, 700-8530, Japan
Phone: 086-251-8810
E-mail: agf8576@adm.okayama-u.ac.jp10Guide to Divisions （As of April 1, 2022）
１．Department of Analytical Planetary Chemistry
Research Areas

Analytical Planetary Chemistry

Subjects

Instructors

Fundamental Earth and Planetary Chemistry

MAKISHIMA Akio, Professor

Chemical Geodynamics

KOBAYASHI Katsura, Professor

Chronology of Earth and Planetary Materials

KOBAYASHI Katsura, Professor

Origin of Solar System Materials

KUNIHIRO Takuya, Associate Professor

Isotope Geo- and Cosmochemistry

TANAKA Ryoji, Professor

Earth and Planetary Geology

KITAGAWA Hiroshi, Assistant Professor

Analytical Planetary Chemistry on the Early Solar System

KUNIHIRO Takuya, Associate Professor

Seminar on Analytical Planetary Chemistry

Respective Faculty Members in the Department

Advanced Study in Analytical Planetary Chemistry

Respective Faculty Members in the Department

Guidance in Analytical Planetary Chemistry 1

Respective Faculty Members in the Department

Guidance in Analytical Planetary Chemistry 2

Respective Faculty Members in the Department

Guidance in Analytical Planetary Chemistry 3

Respective Faculty Members in the Department

２．Department of Experimental Planetary Physics
Research Areas

Experimental Planetary Physics

Subjects

Instructors

Experimental High-pressure Earth Science

YOSHINO Takashi, Professor

Rheology

YAMAZAKI Daisuke, Associate Professor

Crystal Chemistry of Earth and Planetary Materials

KANZAKI Masami, Professor

Spectroscopic Techniques in Earth and Planetary Sciences

XUE Xianyu, Professor

Experimental Magmalogy

YAMASHITA Shigeru, Associate Professor

Advanced Earth and Planetary Science

MORIGUTI Takuya, Associate Professor

Planetary Exploration: From Meteorites to the Solar System

IZAWA Matthew, Associate Professor

Seminar on Experimental Planetary Physics

Respective Faculty Members in the Department

Advanced Study in Experimental Planetary Physics

Respective Faculty Members in the Department

Guidance in Experimental Planetary Physics 1

Respective Faculty Members in the Department

Guidance in Experimental Planetary Physics 2

Respective Faculty Members in the Department

Guidance in Experimental Planetary Physics 3

Respective Faculty Members in the Department

３．Cooperative Course（Department of Organic Geochemistry）
Research Areas

Subjects

Instructors

Organic Chemistry for Earth and Planetary Materials

POTISZIL Christian, Assistant Professor

Analytical Methods for Earth and Planetary Organic Materials

POTISZIL Christian, Assistant Professor
TANAKA Ryoji, Professor

C-O-H-N-S Volatiles in Silicate Melts and Crystals

KANZAKI Masami, Professor

Astrobiology

TANAKA Ryoji, Professor
KOBAYASHI Katsura, Professor
KUNIHIRO Takuya, Associate Professor
KITAGAWA Hiroshi, Assistant Professor
POTISZIL Christian, Assistant Professor

Seminar on Organic Geochemistry

Respective Faculty Members in the Department

Advanced Study in Organic Geochemistry

Respective Faculty Members in the Department

Guidance in Organic Geochemistry 1

Respective Faculty Members in the Department

Guidance in Organic Geochemistry 2

Respective Faculty Members in the Department

Guidance in Organic Geochemistry 3

Respective Faculty Members in the Department

Organic Geochemistry