Master’s and Doctoral Programs in

Neuroscience
Degree Programs in Comprehensive Human Sciences,
Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Sciences,
University of Tsukuba

Masterʼs / Doctoral Programs in Neuroscience

Graduate School Guide

2024-2025

Mes s age f rom P rog ra m L eader

Welcome to the Masterʼsand Doctoral Programs in Neuroscience
Our masterʼs and doctoral programs in neuroscience started in April 2020 as a graduate level course in neuroscience thatmeets international standards. Neuroscience is not just a science that simply describes and understands the structure andfunction of the brain today. Targeting a wide range of issues from unraveling the movement of the mind to diagnosing
diseases, developing treatment measures, and understanding complicated human relationships and the principle of howsociety should be, research in neuroscience has been promoted that integrates the methodology of different scientificfields. Solutions to those issues are highly expected by society, and in that context, overseas universities and research
institutions have already offered expert training courses in the study of neuroscience and produced a large number ofhuman resources.
Now, in order to meet the social need to develop experts in neuroscience, the University of Tsukuba has decided topromote the development of human resources with international competitiveness in the field of neuroscience based ona wide range of science fields by assembling not only researchers from basic neuroscience, psychology, and behavioristics
agriculture, veterinary medicine, and engineering.
The programs focus first on the development of human resources with high skills in research, language, andcommunication for conducting world-class research and delivering the results globally. At the same time, many
internships at companies, as well as seminars, gatherings, and other meetings of domestic and overseas researchers arealso provided for building a carrier path after completing the masterʼs and doctoral programs.
All of you who intend to become an expert in neuroscience need curiosity and a positive mind. You do not have to worry
about the lack of experience and knowledge. You can always acquire them through the education process in the masterʼsand doctoral programs in neuroscience. We are looking forward to the participation of those who are interested in

Message from Program Leader

but also researchers and clinicians specialized in clinical medicine (psychiatry), clinical disability studies, biology,

neuroscience.
Masterʼs and Doctoral Programs in Neuroscience
Program Leader between FY 2024 and FY 2025

Takeshi Sakurai

Master’s and Doctoral Programs in Neuroscience1

Cu r r icu lu m

The only graduate school programs granting a masterʼsdegree and a doctoral degree in neuroscience in JapanA

Cellular andMolecular
Neuroscience

B

Systems
NeuroscienceC

Cognitive andBehavioral
Neuroscience

Clinical and

D Translational
Neuroscience

Thoroughly fundamental education covering overall neuroscience
Introduction to Neuroscience A, B, C, D
(All compulsory)

Lectures covering the basic knowledge of neuroscience using
the(Kandel et al., 5th ed., 2013)as a textbook.

Neuroscience Laboratories A, B, C, D
(Elective compulsory)

Hands-on practice in neuroscientific research by assigning students
to a laboratory for a week

Developing abilities in communication using scientific English and logicalthinking throughout the year
Research Proposal Writing in English
I (Compulsory) and II (Elective)
English Journal Club I (Compulsory), II (Elective)

Abilities in the writing of an English paper and doctoral dissertation,
as well as logical thinking for preparing a research plan, are developed
through English skills.

Providing opportunities to learn practical and advanced research inneuroscience outside the laboratories
Neuroscience Research Seminar
I (Compulsory) and II (Elective)

Research seminars provided to study the most advanced
research in neuroscience.

First Year of Masterʼs Program■Neuroscience Professional Career Development■Introduction to Neuroscience A (Cellular and Molecular)■Introduction to Neuroscience B (Systems)■Introduction to Neuroscience C (Behavioral and Cognitive)■Introduction to Neuroscience D (Clinical and Translational)■Research Proposal Writing in English I■English Journal Club 1■Neuroscience Research Seminar I■Neuroscience Laboratories A, B, C, D (Elective required)■Neuroscience Thesis Research I and II■Interdisciplinary Foundation Courses■Research Ethics as Common Subjects for Graduate School■Translational Neuroscience Internship

Second Year of Masterʼs Program
Qualification Test
■Neuroscience Thesis Research III and IV■Research Proposal Writing in English II■English Journal Club II■Neuroscience Research Seminar II

Master (Neuroscience)

Curriculum

Abilities in scientific English and verbal presentations inEnglish are developed.

Advanced Scientific Research Proposal in
English I (Compulsory) and II (Elective)

Advanced Neuroscience Seminar
I and II (Compulsory) and III (Elective)

Students attend research seminars and academic symposiums heldat the university and outside it, including overseas, to study thetrends in neuroscience by themselves.

First Year of Doctoral Program■Career Planning, Researcher Ethics,
and TF Training Seminar■Advanced Scientific Research Proposal in English I■Advanced Neuroscience Seminar I■Neuroscience Dissertation Research I and II

Qualification Test I■Advanced Neuroscience Internship

Second Year of Doctoral Program■Advanced Neuroscience Seminar II■Neuroscience Dissertation Research III and IV■Advanced Scientific Research Proposal in English II

Qualification Test II and III

Third Year of Doctoral Program■Neuroscience Dissertation Research V and VI■Advanced Neuroscience Seminar III

Doctor (Neuroscience)

Master’s and Doctoral Programs in Neuroscience2

Steps for a D eg ree

Masterʼs Program
Neuroscience Thesis Research

Determine a theme for a masterʼs thesis under the
instruction of the academic advisor.
Search and study the literature of preceding basic
research related to the theme.
Conduct preliminary experiments and research as
needed.

Neuroscience Thesis Research

Pursue research for the masterʼ thesis under the
instruction of the academic advisor.
Prepare for a research qualification test for the
masterʼs thesis.
Make a poster presentation (in English) about theconcept of the masterʼs thesis research.

Submit the Abstract, Introduction, and Methods sections of the masterʼsthesis in a format that is compliant with theby theend of June. (The written submissions are examined by the primaryadvisor and the secondary advisors and a pass/fail decision is made.)
Give an oral presentation at the end of September.

Neuroscience Thesis Research

Autumn Semesterof the Third Year

1．Submit the masterʼs thesis in January.
2．Final examination of the masterʼs thesis.
Give a presentation at a meeting attended by all research supervisors of themasterʼs and doctoral programs in neuroscience and participate in a question
and answer session followed by a final examination by the primary advisor
and the secondary advisor (question and answer session).
3．Give a presentation at an open meeting for the presentation of the masterʼsthesis research.

Spring Semesterof the Third Year

Steps for Masterʼs Thesis Examination

QE1: Prepare a report on an individual theme assigned during October andsubmit the report by the end of January. (The written report is examinedby the academic advisor, and a pass/fail decision is made by the
Qualifying Examination Committee for Doctoral Dissertation Research.)

3

Pursue research for the doctoral dissertation under
the instruction of the academic advisor. Work on thetasks for QE2.

QE2: Submit a review paper that leads to the introduction of the doctoral
dissertation by the end of August.
(The written review paper is examined by the peer-review committee,
and a pass/fail decision is made by the Qualifying Examination
Committee for Doctoral Dissertation Research.)

Neuroscience Dissertation Research
Autumn Semesterof the Second Year

Autumn Semesterof the Second Year

4

Work on preparing the masterʼ thesis under the
instruction of the academic advisor and submit thethesis.
Prepare for the final examination of the masterʼs thesis.

2

Pursue research for the doctoral dissertation under
the instruction of the academic advisor. Work on thetasks for QE1.

Neuroscience Dissertation Research
Spring Semesterof the Second Year

Spring Semesterof the Second Year

Pursue research for the masterʼ thesis under the
instruction of the academic advisor.
Take a research qualification test for the masterʼsthesis.

3

Submit a provisional theme and keywords by the end of September.
(→ Decision on the theme of QE1)

Steps for a Degree

Neuroscience Thesis Research

1

Determine a theme for the doctoral dissertation
research and conduct a literature search andpreliminary research under the instruction of theacademic advisor.

Neuroscience Dissertation Research
Autumn Semesterof the First Year

Autumn Semesterof the First Year2

Neuroscience Dissertation Research
Spring Semesterof the First Year

Spring Semesterof the First Year

1

Doctoral Program

4

Work on research for the doctoral dissertation and preparation
for an English paper for submission to an international journal
under the instruction of the academic advisor.
Work on the tasks for QE3.
QE3: Submit the manuscript of the English paper by the end of February.
(The manuscript is peer-reviewed by the primary advisor and thesecondary advisor, and a pass/fail decision is made by the Qualification
Examination Committee for Doctoral Dissertation Research.)

Neuroscience Dissertation Research

5Work on research for the doctoral dissertation andpreparation for an English paper for submission to aninternational journal under the instruction of theacademic advisor.

Neuroscience Dissertation Research

6Complete the doctoral dissertation under the
instruction of the academic advisor.
Prepare for the final doctoral examination and thefinal public presentation of the doctoral dissertation.

Steps for the examination of the dissertation(When the student acquires the doctoral degree at the end of the third year)

1．Submit the dissertation for a preliminary examination by the fourth Thursday
of September.
2．The preliminary examination meeting is held in October.
(The dissertation is peer-reviewed by the primary advisor and the secondary
advisor, and a decision on whether to submit the dissertation or not is madeby the Faculty Meeting for Masterʼs/Doctoral Program in Neuroscience)
3．Submit the dissertation for the main examination by the end of November.
4．Take the final examination by the end of January.

Master’s and Doctoral Programs in Neuroscience3

I nter nat iona l I n it iat ives

Tri-Institutional Neuroscience Graduate Seminarstablishment and Opening of TiNGSNational Taiwan
University

Monash University,
Malaysia

The Online Exchange Project Conducted among Three Graduate Schoolsʼ
Organizations for the Neuroscience Field in East Asia
●FY 2021
・Research exchange for three days on November 5, 12, and 19; 25 subjects(90 minutes each day)

FY 2021
FD Award

・On December 10 (the final day), education programs of the three universities
were introduced, and cultural exchanges about studentsʼ lifestyles were promoted.
●FY 2022
・Research exchange for three days on May 13, 20, and 27.
●FY 2023
・Research exchange for three days on May 12, 19, and 26.
Voices of theParticipants

It was challenging to answer questions in English, but I was
happy that people were interested in the content of mypresentation. There were many questions and opinions
during the free discussion, and I've made friends with whom
I continue to exchange ideas, making me feel that my world
has expanded.

I have always had a strong aversion to English,
and presenting my research in English seemed
like a daunting task. However, I was able tofinish my presentation enjoyably, thanks to thewarm and welcoming atmosphere.

International Initiatives

There was no restriction in the content and composition of the presentations, including the plan,
progress, and result of research for a masterʼs thesis or a doctoral dissertation.
Three-minute presentation (FlashTalk) + two-minute question and answer session (Zoom)
The chair was rotated by the student organizers of the three universities.

Graduate School ofComprehensive Human Sciences,

Participation in the IBRO School
What is IBRO?

・It is the global association of neuroscience societies established in 1961 (more than 90 countries and regions).
・Training, education, research, outreach, and engagement activities
・It issues the academic journals
and the.
It promotes and supports the neuroscience field globally. →Providing support for opening a school for developing
young researchers.

●Two students participated in the IBRO School held at Monash University
Malaysia on October 10‒23, 2022

A lecture along with hands-on practice in advanced/latest technologies in the neuroscience field anda discussion/workshop on bioimaging and proteogenomics was delivered.

●For the 2024 academic year, held in August at National Taiwan University

National Taiwan University Summer School●In the 2023 academic year, 5 students participated in a neuroscience program.
On the final day, all participants presented posters at the Taiwan Society
for Basic Neuroscience.

Master’s and Doctoral Programs in Neuroscience4

Resea rch I n for mat ion

Subject ofResearch

Human beings

Location of
Research

Laboratory of Advanced
Research D

Master's Programs in
Humanities and Social Sciences

Institutes of Medical
Sciences Building

International Institute forIntegrative Sleep Medicine(WPI-IIIS)

National Institute of Advanced Industrial
Science and Technology (AIST),
Tsukuba Center (Cooperative Graduate School)

2E

Monkeys

Rodents

Cultured cells

Faculty members with ● can accept graduate students for the masterʼs and doctoral programs.
Faculty members with ■ can accept only graduate students for the masterʼs program.

Institute of Medicine
01

Psychiatry and Neurology Group

In todayʼs society, there are many patients suffering from diseases wherein the wholeaspect has not yet been elucidated, such as depression, neurodevelopmental disorders,and dementia. To clarify the symptoms caused by the interaction between the brain andfeelings, it is necessary to have deep knowledge and an understanding of both●

Tetsuaki Arai

Kiyotaka Nemoto

Professor

Associate Professor

biological aspects based on pharmacology, physiology, molecular genetics, neuroimaging, and the phycological aspects based on psychopathology and phycology. Our
research group works to elucidate the etiology of mental illness and to develop better
treatments every day. In this, Tsukuba is conveniently located 45 minutes from Tokyoand is well-balanced among science, nature, and culture, so letʼs work together on the
research that will lead to the development of new psychiatric care.

02●

Miho Ota
Professor

Anatomy and Neuroscience Groupdisorder, we have no definitive treatment based on the understanding of pathogenesis
and pathophysiology; therefore, many patients with the disorders are affected by thesymptoms and experience social maladjustment. Behind those disorders, abnormalities●

Yosuke Takei

Suguru Iwata

Professor

Assistant Professor

in neuronal morphology and functions are found, which are caused by a combination ofgenetic and environmental factors. We are conducting research focusing on the themes
below with the aim of elucidating the pathogenesis and pathophysiology of neuropsychiatric disorders at the molecular level for treatments and prevention.
1. Mechanisms of intracellular transport in neurons
2. Mental illnesses based on the disruption of intracellular transport machinery
3. Neuronal abnormalities caused by immunological abnormalities●

Tetsuya Sasaki Momo Morikawa
Assistant Professor

Assistant Professor

Research Information

For neuropsychiatric disorders, including integration disorder syndrome and autism

4. Analysis of the mouse model of mental illnesses

03

Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience GroupIn our daily lives, humans evaluate values of actions or items. My research aims to understand the neuralmechanism of value-based decision makings in humans and animals. Neuroeconomics is a cutting-edge●

interdisciplinary research that combines neuroscience and microeconomics. For example:

Hiroshi Yamada

・Why is water delicious when you are thirsty?
・Why do you prefer coca cola than Pepsi?

Associate Professor

・Gambling makes you nervous, right?
We examine brain functions related to such things. We use humans and their model animal, the macaquemonkey, and perform cognitive behavioral tasks to investigate how the brain's activities related todecision-makings occurred depending on the level of needs such as thirst or hunger. In addition, by
manipulating brain activity, we are investigating the effects of observed brain activity on behavior. By
examining brainʼs normal functions and abnormalities, we hope to understand a mental illness, such as
depression.

04

Neurophysiology Group

Cardiovascular and respiratory regulation by the central nervous system plays a crucialrole in human homeostasis. Disorders of this regulatory system cause serious problems
in the living body. Despite that fact, many of the mechanisms remain unknown. In orderto open those black boxes, we are approaching the electrophysiological mechanisms ofcardiovascular and respiratory regulation by the central nervous system using in vivo
preparation and the in situ preparation (arterially perfused preparation) of rodents. At●

Tadachika Koganezawa
Associate Professor

present, we are especially analyzing (i) the chemosensitive mechanisms in the
cardiovascular center, (ii) the relationship between the cardiovascular and therespiratory centers, and (iii) diseases that are induced by disorders involving thesesystems.

Master’s and Doctoral Programs in Neuroscience5Resea rch I n for mat ion

05

Systems physiology group

We flexibly adjust our behavior to adapt to the dynamically changing environment in a complex
manner. The neuronal mechanisms underlying these adaptive behaviors, acquired through●evolution, remain unclear. Our laboratory aims to understand the neural mechanisms of these

Jun Kunimatsu

adaptive behaviors at the system level from sensory input to behavioral execution andcontribute to the medical field by elucidating pathological conditions such as psychiatric andAssistant Professor

neurological diseases in which adaptive behaviors are impaired. Therefore, we examine humanand monkey behaviors by using cognitive tasks and analyzing neuronal activity during the task
at the millisecond time resolution in monkey.
Currently, our focus is on the following themes:(1) The effects of breathing on cognitive functions.
(2) Neural circuits underlying social behavior.
(3) Neural mechanisms of voluntary breathing.

IIIS
06

Molecular Behavioral Neuroscience Group

nervous system and are involved in a variety of physiological functions. We haveidentified novel neuropeptides and defined their functions to elucidate unknown
physiological functions and the functional mechanisms. By handling a wide range●

Takeshi Sakurai
Professor

Yuki Saito

Assistant Professorof approaches from neuroscientific ones to ones for clinical application, we are
currently conducting research on the themes as follows:
1. Deciphering the neuronal mechanisms that regulate sleep/wakefulness states
2. Revealing neuronal pathways that regulate social behavior and social distance3. Analyzing the neuronal mechanisms that control regulated hypometabolism

07●

Arisa Hirano

Research Information

Neuropeptides play a variety of roles in the regulation and control of the central

Assistant Professor

Lazarus/Oishi Lab

The investigative focus of our laboratory is the cellular and synaptic basis bywhich the brain regulates sleep and wakeful consciousness. Our experiments seek
to investigate the activity of defined sets of neurons with neurobehavioral andelectroencephalographic outcomes in behaving animals by manipulating neural●

Michael Lazarus
Professor

activity (optogenetics, chemogenetics or optopharmacology) in conjunction withrecording of the neural activity or in vivo imaging (e.g., fiber optic endomicroscopy). So far, we have made key contributions to our understanding of sleep/wakebehaviors, for example, why coffee wakes us up, why we fall asleep when bored,
or how REM sleep loss increases the desire for junk food. In addition, we areconducting research by investigating the function and control mechanism of sleep
using mice engineered to sleep very little.

08●

Yo Oishi

Associate Professor

Sakiko Honjoh

When we stay awake longer, we get increasingly more drowsy and thus we sleep longer.
And after the cortical region is active during waking, the region sleeps deeper thanother inactive areas of the brain. In order to understand the interaction between thesleep and waking states, we have been conducting research using mice that sleep after
persistent waking states in order to investigate the changes in neural firing and gene
expression occurring in the brain during the sleep. In addition, we focus not only on the●

Sakiko Honjoh
Assistant Professor

sleep and waking states on an individual basis but also on slow wave activity, which isthe best marker for the need for sleep and plays an important role in memory
consolidation.

Master’s and Doctoral Programs in Neuroscience6

Resea rch I n for mat ion

09

Katsuyasu Sakurai

Living organisms, including Homo sapiens, live by adapting to inner states (body,
physiological state, mental states, etc.), environments, and stimuli that change every
second. And I think what underlies the adaptation is “Fullness.” The “Fullness” may betranslated into appetite. Please imagine a cup. Living organisms have cups of various
sizes inside a larger cup labeled, and they try to fill those cups throughtheir actions or physiological responses as needed. These cups are not independent,■

Katsuyasu Sakurai
Associate Professor

but they affect each other through behavior and physiological responses to determine
the sizes or the amounts that fill them. Our desire is to elucidate how those cups arefilled, that is, the true identity and mechanism of “Fullness,” the root of the various vital
activities, particularly focusing on the central nervous system.

10

Masanori Sakaguchi

Because of technological innovations in neuroscience, it has been elucidated thatmemories can be decomposed into the activity patterns of neuronal ensembles thatcarry information. For example, some activity patterns of neuron cells that regulate
during sleep is important for memory consolidation, and it is thought that dreams are
created in this process; however, there are still many things unclear about how it brings●

Masanori Sakaguchi
Associate Professor

about change in neuron cells and affects long-term memory. Our group aims to
overcome these challenges using the latest bioluminescence imaging and genetic
technologies. Our aim is to use the outcomes of fundamental research for the development of treatment methods to overcome memory problems.

11

Research Information

spatial information are observed during sleep. This recreation of daytime experiences

Takashi Abe

We have been conducting research with the aim of understanding and manipulating human cognitionand emotion in relation to sleep on the three topics as follows: (1) Understanding the psychological
functions of sleep: currently, we especially aim for the elucidation of the role of REM sleep in emotion
and decision-making during waking. In addition, we are working on research on mind wandering
following poor sleep. (2) Estimation of cognition and emotion in relation to sleep: we are conducting
research on methods for estimating decreased attentiveness due to poor sleep from the movements of●

Takashi Abe

Associate Professor

the eyes and eyelids, as well as methods for estimating emotions in dreams during sleep using
electroencephalographic outcomes. (3) Manipulation of sleep by noninvasive stimulation: we havefound a new method for facilitating sleep onset using acoustic stimulation. Currently, we are working
on the elucidation of the principle and examination for practical applications of the method. In addition,
we are also trying to manipulate the phycological function of sleep and emotions in dreams using
noninvasive stimulation, such as olfactory stimulation and acoustic stimulation.

Master’s and Doctoral Programs in Neuroscience7

Resea rch I n for mat ion
Institute of Human Sciences
12

Saho Ayabe-Kanamura

Perception is based on individual experience (memory). Whether we like or find an
object pleasant often depends on how the object is perceived. Perception is alsostrongly influenced by context. The research goal of our laboratory is to approach theelucidation of the mechanism of human perception through the various sensory
modalities (especially, olfaction and taste sensation), using perceptual learning,memory, hedonics, set, context, and inter-sensory interaction as keywords.

13●

Saho Ayabe-Kanamura
Professor

Pasqualotto Achillemodalities in isolation (vision on its own, audition on its own, touch in its own, etc.).
However, in the “real world” all our senses work at-the-same-time (or multisensory).
All this information is processed in parallel by the bran to build a representation of theexternal world. Our goal is investigating how this process occurs.

14●

Pasqualotto Achille
Associate Professor

Research Information

Experimental psychology and neuroscience, traditionally have investigated sensory

Kazuo Yamada

The field of behavioral neuroscience is trying to clarify the mechanisms of human and animal
behaviors based on biology and, particularly, neurology as one area of psychology to understand the●mechanism of the human mind (spirit). This field especially focuses on changes in human and animalKazuo Yamada

behaviors from experience, such as memory and learning. Specifically, we are conducting researchusing rats with interest in the following:

Professor

1. Development of methods for measuring the memory and learning ability of animals
2. Effects of brain lesions, neurotoxin treatment, and drug treatment on the performance ofmemory and learning tasks
3. Development of animal models of neural degeneration diseases that include memory disorders
4. Involvement and mechanisms of neurotransmitter and receptor systems in the memory andlearning processes

15

Aki Takahashi

Each of us has a different personality. There are also large individual differences inmany behavioral phenotypes, such as timidity, aggression, and stress susceptibility inthe mouse (). Our laboratory has been conducting research to understandthe biological mechanisms that produce these individual differences in social behavior,especially focusing on aggressive behavior, from a wide perspective, including neuralcircuits, immune system, microbiota, and genetic basis. Recently, we have conducted●

Aki Takahashi
Associate Professor

research that especially focuses on the behaviors of aggression among the social
behaviors.

Master’s and Doctoral Programs in Neuroscience8

Resea rch I n for mat ion

16

Mariko Nakata

Our laboratory studies the social behaviors of aggression, sexual behaviors, and social
recognition to understand the neural and neuroendocrine mechanisms of thosebehaviors from the genetic, molecular, anatomical and physiological levels. We aretrying to elucidate the neural mechanism underlying the formation and maintenance ofsociality by combining detailed behavioral analyses with the neuroscience techniquesof gene knockdown, optogenetics, and chemogenetics using the mouse model.

17●

Mariko Nakata
Assistant Professor

Katsuo Yamanaka

Our laboratory has been conducting research on geriatric clinical psychology mainly targetingpeople with dementia and their caregivers on the concept of neuropsychological rehabilitation.
We place particular importance on the translation from our studies into practice. We welcome
1. Development of psychological and social approach to people with dementia- Group activity programs, such as a cognitive approach and a reminiscence method●

Katsuo Yamanaka
Associate Professor- Individual intervention for the behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia byfunctional analysis
2. Development of assessment methods for the cognitive function, mood, and behavior of
people with dementia
3. Research on behavioral change in social attitudes toward people with dementia

18

Research Information

students and researchers who are interested in the themes as follows:

Ami Sanbai

People with deficits in the processing of spoken and/or written language, including theunderstanding of language and expression, have a variety of difficulties in school, work, and daily
life and so need effective support, instruction, and training. To provide such support, instruction,and training, a deep understanding of the symptoms and causes is important. We have been
conducting research with the aim of clarifying the underlying mechanisms of deficits in language
processing using cognitive neuropsychological approaches to lead the research to scientific●

Ami Sanbai

Assistant Professor

evidence-based support, instruction, and training by focusing on the following:
Research on the underlying mechanisms of deficits in language processing, including theunderstanding and expression of language, reading, and writing
Development of tests to detect symptoms and cognitive characteristics
Development of effective support, instruction, and training based on symptoms and cognitive
characteristics

19

Shinji Okazaki

Our laboratory has mainly been exploring the cognitive and developmental characteristics ofchildren with neurodevelopmental disorders (intellectual deficit and developmental disorders),
including attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), as well as methods for assessing andsupporting them. Mainly targeting visitors seeking for educational consultation, we have been
conducting fundamental research centering on the performance of psychological tests and themeasurement of biological reactions during the tests (EEG and NIRS) and clinical research on the■

Shinji Okazaki
Associate Professor

assessment of cognitive characteristics using intelligence tests and cognitive tests, as well as
support based on the assessment in instructive situations. Students belonging to our laboratory
are also pursuing their own research while engaging in fundamental or applied research activities.
That is, we might say that our laboratory features activities for understanding and supporting
people with neurodevelopmental disorders through fundamental and applied research.

Master’s and Doctoral Programs in Neuroscience9Resea rch I n for mat ion
Cooperative Graduate School
19

Sunao Iwaki

In recent years, noninvasive techniques to measure and visualize human brain activity
have made remarkable progress. Based on the complementary use of the neuroimaging techniques including EEG and functional MRI to precisely measure and analyze
neural activities in the human brain corresponding to cognitive processing, we havebeen conducting research to model the perceptual, cognitive, and behavioral
characteristics of the living human. These techniques can also be used to quantitative-●

Sunao Iwaki

Professor(Cooperative Graduate School)ly evaluate our cognitive and/or behavioral performance in the real world byintegrating them with VR environements and simultaneous recording of physiologicaland behavioral data from multiple participants. Our research laboratory is located at
the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST); students
take classes at the University of Tsukuba and carry out their research at AIST (Cooperative Graduate School Program).

20

Yuji Takeda

better products and services. In our research laboratory, we investigate humanattention, cognition, and emotion by using event-related brain potentials (ERPs). ERPs
are temporal variations in the brain potentials that reflect information processing in thebrain, and they allow us to estimate when and how deeply the information is processed,
which cannot be estimated simply by behavioral indices. Our studies are conducted not●

Yuji Takeda

Professor(Cooperative Graduate School)

only in an experiment room to investigate basic cognitive functions but also in
simulated and real situations to develop products and services. Our research laboratory is located at the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology(AIST); students take the classes at the University of Tsukuba and carry out their

Research Information

A scientific understanding of user characteristics is important in order to develop

research at AIST (Cooperative Graduate School Program).

21

Shinya Yamamoto

The brain reconstructs the external world by collecting multiple sensory signals. Ourlaboratory aims to comprehensively understand neural information processing inperception and cognition from the macro to micro levels through psychologicalexperiments on humans and physiological and pharmacological experiments on
animals. Currently, we focus our research on how multisensory signals are integrated
and segregated in the brain, how they represent spatial and temporal information in●

Shinya Yamamoto

Associate Professor(Cooperative Graduate School)

information processing, and how self-perception and awareness are formed. We arealso searching new parameters for information processing in the brain, including local
brain temperature, and developing new technologies. Our research laboratory is
located at the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST);
students take the classes at the University of Tsukuba and carry out their research at
AIST (Cooperative Graduate School Program).

23

Kentaro Katahira

Our laboratory is engaged in research to analyze human and other animal behaviors
using computational models that represent computational processes in the brain andother statistical models. In particular, we analyze behavioral data using reinforcement
learning models and neural circuit models to understand the mechanisms andfunctions of behavior and to capture individual characteristics. We also conduct
theoretical work on computational modeling and statistical modeling methodologies.

●

Kentaro Katahira

Associate Professor(Cooperative Graduate School)

Furthermore, we are trying to apply such modeling techniques to the optimization ofhealth care services. Our research laboratory is located at the National Institute ofAdvanced Industrial

Science and Technology (AIST); students take classes at the

University of Tsukuba andcarry out their research at AIST (Cooperative Graduate

School Program).

Master’s and Doctoral Programs in Neuroscience10

St udent sʼ Voices
QuestionsStudent’s
Voice❶ Why did you apply for the masterʼs or doctoral programs in neuroscience? ❷ What kind of research are you conducting now?
❸ Please let us know what impressed you in the lectures and hands-on practice of the masterʼs and doctoral programs in neuroscience?
❹ What is your goal for the future? (Your future dreams or ambitions are also acceptable.)❶ I wanted to continue research in graduate school by carrying on
my research theme from undergraduate studies. And another big
reason is that I was primarily interested in the neurobiologicalmechanism of behaviors.

❶ I had studied a wide scope of psychology during my undergradu-

ate years, and I wanted to study the brain that controls the humanmind as the center before devoting myself to psychology, so I
applied for the masterʼs program in neuroscience. I am now
receiving guidance from the National Institute of Advanced
Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) using the Cooperative
Graduate School Program. I am working on my research surroundedby researchers who pursue not only fundamental research but also
applied research. I think the University of Tsukuba is one of the few
universities where students can study experimental phycology while
holding discussions with a wide range of researchers in Japan.

❷ I have been researching the cerebral mechanism of aggression inmice using optogenetics, a technology to manipulate neural circuits.
Most recently, I have been researching the dynamic state of neuralactivity during aggression using calcium imaging. In addition, I havebeen exploring the relationship between aggression and intestinalbacterial flora as part of research on the brain-gut correlation thathas been attracting great attention in recent years, mainly engaging
in bioinformatics, including metagenomic analysis.

Koshiro Mitsui

different from the one that I belong to for a certain period, which
was good because I could experience experiments that I did notusually conduct. I think it is really recommended to visit and see
many laboratories in order to enrich your knowledge.

❹ 1. To refine my skills. 2. Not to forget the original purpose.

❷ In the masterʼs program, I conducted an online experiment for

Kento Sawai

Academic Advisor/
Yuji Takeda, Professor
Interdisciplinary Humanities,
Faculty of Letters, Kansai University
Comprehensive Human Science
Group, Graduate School ofComprehensive Human Science,
University of Tsukuba
Masterʼs Program in Neuroscience

1,000 participants under the theme of habitual exercise andcognitive function. In the doctoral program, I am going to change
the theme and conduct research on individual differences in thelearning speed of device operation.

❸ Neuroscience Laboratories C was the most impressive. In thesubject, students work on experiments and hands-on practice inlaboratories other than theirs for a week. Though I was conducting
research on humans, I joined a laboratory that conducts researchusing mice. It was a hard time because I experienced many things
that were completely different from what I usually did, but thelargest benefit was that it became easier to read papers on researchusing mice after joining it.

❹ First of all, I aim to receive a doctoral degree in three years. And I want to go abroad for research during
the doctoral program. Irrespective of whether I continue research or choose another course, I would like toopen up a way to my destination by myself.

❶ I had heard that the masterʼs and doctoral programs inneuroscience would accept a wide range of students from many
fields since the time of Kansei, Behavioral and Brain Sciences, whichis the predecessor of the program. I studied psychology during thefour years of undergraduate study and was fascinated with clarifying
emotions and behaviors using neuroscientific methods, so I decided
to take an entrance exam for the masterʼs program in neuroscience,
which accepts liberal arts students and offers an environment forlearning the basics of neuroscience.

❶ (1) Breath of this program ranging over multiple research areas
and depth of knowledge about neuroscience

I want to conduct cross-disciplinary research in neuroscience,
ergonomics, and design. Experience in receiving lectures andhands-on practice from researchers in neuroscience andergonomics and having exchanges with teachers and students fromdifferent areas on a daily basis, which can be gained through theprogram in neuroscience offered by the University of Tsukuba, is agreat advantage for me in pursuing cross-disciplinary research.

❷ I am conducting research on stress-induced respiratory

Riko Mizukami

Academic Advisor/Tadachika
Koganezawa, Associate Professor
Doshisha University
Faculty of Psychology
Comprehensive Human Science
Group, Graduate School ofComprehensive Human Science,
University of Tsukuba
Masterʼs Program in Neuroscience

responses in the Koganezawa Lab now. The physiological functionsof heartbeat, blood pressure, and respiration are stabilized byhomeostasis. As these functions show specific responses to stimuli
like motion and emotion, I am exploring which region of the brain
regulates the functions and which route is used to convey thestimuli.

❸ Last year (2022), I participated in the IBRO School held in

Malaysia as part of an internship for expert research inneuroscience. (The picture was taken when I visited the laboratoryof Monash University where the IBRO School was held, and an
experiment using a confocal laser scanning microscope wasdemonstrated.) I lived together with young researchers inneuroscience who came from Southeast Asian countries andparticipated in various classes, lectures, and discussions. I learned
the research techniques and methodology of other laboratories,
which I could not have been able to experience normally, and I saw
the latest equipment and antibodies used for staining shown by acompany. Graduate school students may often attend academic
meetings and lecture meetings, and for me, participation in an
overseas exchange program like this made me broaden the view of
my research and provided me an opportunity to think of my future
career.

❹ I want to begin something new. I have enjoyed breeding tropicalfish for two years and have become able to keep them stably. So, I
want to try new species of tropical fish.

Career Path
Masterʼs Program

Doctoral Program(2) Promotion of international communication

Zhang Xiaoyu

Academic Advisor/
Sunao Iwaki, Professor
Department of Applied Psychology,
Faculty of Educational Technology,
Jianghan University (China)
Graduate School ofComprehensive Human Sciences,
University of Tsukuba
Masterʼs Program in Kansei,
Behavioral and Brain Sciences

Communication with researchers from various countries is anindispensable competence for pursuing research. I think thecompetence for international communication in my specialized
field, such as writing papers and oral presentations at international
institutes in various languages, including Japanese and English, will
be developed through the masterʼs and doctoral programs inneuroscience.
(3) The title “Masterʼs and Doctoral Program in Neuroscience” ishighly approved internationally
As I am a foreign student studying in Japan, I experienceinconvenience in many aspects when searching for research fields.
In particular, programs related to cognitive science andneuroscience are inevitably distributed into the fields of medicine,
integrated human studies, engineering, and other areas. But I thinkneuroscience is recognized as a standard area of the sciencesinternationally. Therefore, the fact of studying under the masterʼsand doctoral programs in neuroscience gives me the advantage ofan easier explanation of the background of my research when
applying for jobs at universities or research institutions after
completing the programs.

❷ I want to mount a GPS navigator that indicates a route to a destination a function supporting theacquisition of a cognitive map, which represents the userʼs mental geography. I am designing an AR
navigator that effectively supports the acquisition of a cognitive map using cognitive neuroscientificmethodology, including electroencephalograms and the measurement of eyeball movement.

❸ What impressed me the most was the earnest support provided by the teachers and students in the
programs. In my cross-disciplinary research, it is not enough to consult my academic advisor about what I
cannot understand. At first, I was afraid to ask the people in other laboratories for help because they looked
busy, but I found that the teachers were very earnest in helping students, so I got the courage to consult
them. They took time to answer my questions, and my classmates actively gave me advice. If you have any
questions in the programs, please don't hesitate to ask and do not be afraid of rejection.
❹ I aim to become a researcher who can achieve results with not only academic but also social andeconomic impacts through a cross-disciplinary approach that applies the knowledge of neuroscience andergonomics to mapping cognition. The book titled(Neil Postman, Viking
Penguin, 1985) says that the development of new technologies will provide pleasure and convenience but,at the same time, change peopleʼs environments and interactions. There are many cases in which thedevelopment of human abilities that should be acquired in nature is impaired because of the developmentof technologies, and many people consider it the outcomes of technologies themselves. However, I thinkthat the development of technologies is incorporated into natural environment as part of it, and whether
useful information can be gained through the environment is the key that the technologies can give impact
on the development of human abilities and, therefore, in developing new technologies, not only isefficiency pursued but also interaction for enhancing human abilities should be designed in order toempower human abilities. As a researcher, I would like to work on a wide range of research fromfundamental ones to elucidate the mechanism of human cognition to applied ones through joint researchand cooperation with companies to devote myself to the development of technologies for supporting thedevelopment of human abilities.

Career Path・Nihon Koden Corporation
・Hitachi, Ltd.
・Deloitte Tohmatsu Venture Support Co., Ltd.
・JAPAN TOBACCO INC.
・Doctoral Program in Neuroscience

Studentsʼ Voices

Academic advisor/
Aki Takahashi, Associate Professor
College of Psychology,
School of Human Science,
University of Tsukuba
Comprehensive Human Science
Group, Graduate School ofComprehensive Human Science,
University of Tsukuba
Masterʼs Program in Neuroscience❸ I had classes that offer hands-on practice in a laboratory

・University of Tsukuba (Researcher)・Kyoto University (Researcher)

Master’s and Doctoral Programs in Neuroscience11Faci l it ies

These are facilities used for research activities, classes, and hands-on practice in the masterʼs and doctoral programs in neuroscience. Some
faculty members have a laboratory in facilities other than the Laboratory of Advanced Research D on the main campus of the University ofTsukuba (See the “Research Information”). Graduate school students conduct research mainly in the facility where their laboratories are locatedwhile attending classes and hands-on practice sessions visiting various facilities, including the Laboratory of Advanced Research D.

University of Tsukuba

Facilities

Laboratory of Advanced
Research D

University of Tsukuba

Central Library
University of Tsukuba

International Institute forIntegrative Sleep Medicine (IIIS)

Tsukuba City

National Institute ofAdvanced Industrial Scienceand Technology (AIST)

Master’s and Doctoral Programs in Neuroscience12E nt ra nce E xa m i nat ion

Masterʼs Program

Doctoral Program

General Entrance Examination

Number of Program Admissions

General Entrance Examination

Number of Program Admissions

Conducted in August

8 students

Conducted in August

4 students

General Entrance Examination

Number of Program Admissions

General Entrance Examination

Number of Program Admissions

Conducted between
January and February

2 students

Conducted between
January and February

1 students

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▼

▼

▼

〈Desired students〉

The desired students shall have high interest in specialized research
regarding comprehensive brain functions and behaviors, the mind,
and mental disorders. It is desirable but not always essential thatstudents have received undergraduate education, including classes
in neuroscience, psychology, disability science, biology, and basic
medicine.

〈Selection policy〉

The entrance examination shall be composed of written and oral
examinations by which linguistic skills, knowledge in the area ofexpertise, and motivation and qualification for learning shall becomprehensively evaluated.

▼

▼

▼

▼

〈Desired students〉

It is desirable for applicants to have majored in neuroscience,
psychology, disability science, biology, or basic medicine in themaster's course. Applicants must have achieved a certain level ofproficiency in the master's course and have the ability and desire to
become independent researchers after completion of the course.

〈Selection policy〉

The entrance examination will be conducted through an oral
examination. The following qualities will be emphasized in theselection process: (1) content and understanding of the research
conducted in the master's course, (2) research planning ability, and(3) presentation ability.

For more information, see the blow:
https: //www. ap- grad u at e .t su ku b a.ac.jp/
course/chs/# cour se -art

The admission briefing
will be held online in
June and November every year.

Request for sending past
exam questions
If you would like us to send the past exam questions for the
masterʼ s program, please request it using the form below:(We cannot send past exam questions overseas.)h t t ps://www.n e u ro sci.t su ku ba.ac.jp/re q u e st .h t m l

Master’s and Doctoral Programs in

Neuroscience
Degree Programs in Comprehensive Human Sciences,
Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Sciences,
University of Tsukuba

Masterʼs / Doctoral Programs in Neuroscience1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba-shi,
Ibaraki 305-8577 Japan
University of Tsukuba,
TEL: 029-853-2999
h ttp s: //www. n e u ro sci. tsu ku ba. ac. jp