Application Guidelines for Graduate Students
Academic Year 2025

Master’s Degree Programs
Medical Science
Life Sciences and Biostatistics

Graduate program entrance examinations for the 2025 academic year will be held
August 20, 2024 and January 14, 2025

<Day and Evening Course Graduate Program>

Kurume University Graduate School of Medicine-0-Kurume University Graduate School of Medicine
Overview of Master’s Degree Programs

1

Admissions Policies for Master’s Degree Programs

Kurume University Master’s Degree Programs are designed for students who havebachelor’s degrees in various fields and come from a wide range of academic backgrounds
who aspire to make contributions in the fields of medicine and medical care.

These programs aim to help meet the need for human resources with highly specialized
research capabilities in the fields of nursing, basic medicine, social medicine, molecular life
sciences, and biostatistics, who also have a solid grounding in the liberal arts, and who care
deeply about their fellow men. We thus welcome applicants who meet the following
criteria.
1.

Applicants who aim to become highly specialized skilled professionals in the medical
field upon graduation.

2.

Applicants who intend to go on to study for a Ph.D., and become educators or
researchers.

3.

Applicants who are eager to contribute to the international community.

4.

Applicants awarded a bachelor’s degree in any field and who have working experience inthe health care, medical, and social welfare fields.

5.

Applicants without a bachelor’s degree but who possess a specialized medical or social
welfare related government certification, are currently engaged in the medical or social
welfare field, and have strong motivation to improve their skills while balancing workand study.

“Admissions policies” refers to the “eligibility criteria including capability and aptitude
required for prospective students”.



Our Philosophy
The Kurume University Graduate School aims to contribute to the advancement of
human culture and society by carrying out rigorous teaching and research activities thatcover both theory and practice, in accordance with the provisions of the School
Education Act.

-1-

(Kurume University Graduate School Regulations, Chapter 1, Section 1, “Objectives”)
The Kurume University Graduate School of Medicine promotes pioneering academic
research in the fields of medicine and healthcare and aims to train researchers andprofessionals with a wide range of perspectives, specialized expertise and a richgrounding in the liberal arts, so that they may work in the international arena while
helping to support medical care in their own local communities.
The Master’s Degree Programs are designed to develop human resources who can workin specialized fields that require advanced research capabilities and specialized medical
knowledge, and who also have a solid general education and deep sense of humanity.

(Kurume University Graduate School of Medicine, Graduate School Regulations,
Chapter 1 “Educational Purposes and Goals”, Section 1)
2

Master’s Program Coursework

To fulfil the educational and research criteria of this graduate program, the following courseof study has been set.
Medical Science Major(1) Basic Medical Science DivisionThis course of study is designed to train researchers to carry out cutting-edge research in thefield of Basic Medical Sciences.
(2) Social Medicine DivisionThis course of study is designed to give researchers and educators practical training in theareas of epidemiology, medical administration, rehabilitation, health advancement, andpreventative medicine.
Life Sciences and Biostatistics Major(1) Life Sciences Division
Train researchers in cutting-edge bioscience fields such as molecular genetics, cellengineering, and bio-macromolecular chemistry.
(2) Biostatistics Division
Japan’s lack of trained and qualified biostatisticians in the medical and pharmaceuticalR&D sectors has become a strategic national issue in recent years. A shortage of adequate
human resources in this field can reduce Japan’s international competitiveness in both theacademic and industrial sectors. To help cope with this shortage, Kurume University
established a Master’s Program in Biostatistics in April 2004.
-2-

Kurume University’s Biostatistics research program is based on internationally accepted
standards developed in the United States, and aims to produce human resources withexpertise in protocol design and data analysis who will be able to support translational
research based on clinical trials and genome data, who can help meet the needs of medical
science, clinical research and pharmaceutical corporations, and who will also be capable ofpromoting the type of evidence-based medicine so urgently required by the health care,
medical, and social welfare sectors.
This program aims to cultivate human resources with high ethical standards and effective
communication skills who will be able to collaborate effectively with doctors, computer
technicians, nurses, and other specialists.

3

Requirements for Graduation(Refer to course outline and certification requirements on p. 24-28.)

Medical Science Major
Division

Basic Course
Requirements

Basic
Medicine

10 credits
minimum

SocialMedicine

Major Courses
12 credits
minimum(Including 4
credit seminar,
4 credit thesis
guidance
seminar)Graduate
ProgramSeminar
Series1 credit

Minor
Electives
4 credits
minimum(Lectures)Electives
3 credits fromsubjects notpreviously
studied.

Life Sciences / Biostatistics Majors
DivisionLife Sciences

Basic Course
Requirements

Major Courses
26 credits minimum(Specialized Applied Subjects (Life
Sciences) 18 required credits,
Specialized Applied Subjects (Life
Sciences) 8 or more elective credits)
30 credits minimum(Specialized Applied Subjects(Biostatistics)12 required credits,
Includes 7 lab courses,
Specialized Applied Subjects(Biostatistics) 11 or more elective
credits)

10 credits minimum

Biostatistics-3-

(Master’s degree academic schedule)
Students admitted to the Kurume University Graduate School of Medicine Master’s Degree
program will select their first year courses depending on their major, and their current
knowledge and skill set. These will include courses on basic medicine as well as courses inareas new to the student. In year two students will select a dissertation topic in consultation
with their academic advisor, create a research plan, collect data (beginning in year 1), andthen complete their Master’s dissertation.
4

Day and Evening Classes (Special Program) Courses and Research Methods(1) Purpose and Objectives
Day and evening classes have been offered since 2003 to provide learning opportunities toworking adults, and to enable them to acquire the advanced medical knowledge, technicalskills, and research ability they need to function successfully as specialists in various fields.
Under the day/evening study system classes are offered in the evenings or other specifictimes to give medical researchers and other healthcare professionals better access tograduate level courses and enable them to receive guidance on their research projects.
[Standard of Establishment of Graduate Universities (1974 Ministry of Education OrdinanceNo. 28) Article 14, Education methods: Special cases.](2) Class Hours
To better meet the needs of working adults, classes may be offered during the sixth period(18:00-19:30) and seventh period (19:40-21:10) in addition to the regular class periods
1-5. Classes may be offered on Saturday, Sunday and during summer holidays.
The day/evening study system will be available to all graduate students.

5

Special Features of Kurume University’s Graduate School Programs

Following are some of the new features that have been introduced in the Master’s Degree
program in recent years.

(1) Clinical Research Nurse Unit
Although many clinical trials are conducted at university hospitals, medical professionals
who undertake them do not necessarily have sufficient knowledge of clinical trials.
Therefore, this unit was established to cultivate clinical research nurses who havesufficient knowledge of clinical research.
(2) Cutting-edge/ Field Specific Research Methods Unit
Centered around physiology lectures, students can participate not only in generalexperiments, but also in cross-sectional experiments in various fields and gain hands-on-4-experience using specialized equipment. This unit was established in April 2007 to enrich
our basic educational program, and to enable students to experience and understand a wider
range of experimental methods.
(3) Establishment of the Department of Rehabilitation Biomechanics
There is a great need in Japan for healthcare professionals specializing in the field of
rehabilitation, particularly due to the aging of society and the fact that the medical setting is
becoming increasingly complex and specialized. Currently available human resources areoften unable to cope with advances in specialized medical services. To help remedy thissituation Kurume University established the Department of Rehabilitation Biomechanics inApril 2007, and we have been training highly skilled specialists and educators in this field
ever since.
Moreover, to promote the application of evidence-based medicine in the rehabilitation field
we offer a series of specialized lectures in biostatistics, focusing on the objective, scientificanalysis of human motor function, evaluation techniques, data collection, data analysis,
statistics processing, thesis writing and presentation.
6

Conferment of Degrees

A Master’s Degree in Medical Science will be awarded to students who have been enrolled inthis graduate program for at least two years, have obtained the required credits, whose
thesis has been submitted and approved, and who have passed the final examinations. The
minimum enrollment period may be shortened to 1 year for students who produce
exceptional research results and who have completed the other prescribed requirements.
7

Enterprises and Projects within Kurume University Graduate School of Medicine that
relate to the Master’s Degree Program Training Plan for Cancer Professionals (Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Scienceand Technology)
Cancer is the number one cause of death in Japan. One of every two people is likely to bediagnosedwith cancer

during their lifetime, so there is a great need for new cancer

therapies to improve the lives and health of our citizens. Furthermore, the Ministry of
Health’s “Future Directions of Cancer Treatment” and “Acceleration Plan for Cancer
Control” have stimulated research on gene therapy, pediatric and rare cancer management,cancer treatment for different life stages such as AYA（Adolescent and Young Adult) andgeriatric care, and is promoting education on palliative care.
As part of the government’s “Training Plan for Cancer Professionals”, “Training Centers for-5-Cancer Professionals” have been established at a number of universities, including theKurume University Graduate School of Medicine. These have created an inter-university
cooperative network where the strengths of each university are combined to create a uniquecurriculum aimed at developing “Cancer Treatment Specialists (Cancer Professionals)” whoare able to meet the demand for new cancer therapies and significantly improve the level ofcancer treatment in Japan.
Our graduate program has been coordinating with other medical universities in the Kyushu
region for over 10 years. We have established a sustainable collaborative educational systemthat has helped educate specialized cancer health professionals capable of meeting a diverse
range of needs. The “Training Plan for Cancer Professionals” was jointly adopted in 2017,
and we introduced the following courses in academic 2018 to further contribute to thedevelopment of cancer health professionals.
Our curriculum is among the first to incorporate a home nursing practicum within thespecial nursing major that involves coordination between local healthcare professionals fromvarious fields. Our experience with this program has shown that there is an urgent need forhuman resources with the ability to coordinate community resources to promote homehealthcare services, to optimize the cooperation between healthcare professionals fromvarious fields, and who also have the skills to carry out educational activities among local
residents.
In addition to an advanced practical nursing curriculum approved by the Japan Nursing
Association, in 2018 we introduced a program to promote locally-based education programs
to improve palliative care for cancer patients. This program takes advantage of our strength
as a comprehensive university to offer, in collaboration with educational specialists, smallgroup learning, along with leadership training lectures and practicums. Students whocomplete this course as credited auditors will learn to solve organizational problems, andgive them the skills they will need to function effectively as community coordinators.

-6-Admission Procedures for Academic Year 2025
Kurume University Graduate School of Medicine
Master’s Degree Program1.

Number to be admitted
Medical Science Major: 8 persons
Life Sciences / Biostatistics Major: 8 persons[Includes working professionals and international students admitted through Special
Selection Exams]

2.

Eligibility

Applicants must meet at least one of the following criteria.
[B] Special Selection Exam for Working Professionals
Working Professionals, defined as a person who has worked at a corporation or an
educational institution for two years at the time of enrollment, and who intends to continue
to work after April 2025.
1.

Applicants who have graduated or expect to graduate from a university (as definedby the School Education Act, Article 83) by March 2025.

2.

Applicants who have been awarded or expect to be awarded a Bachelor’s degree (asdefined by the School Education Act, Article 104 section 7) by March 2025.

3.

Applicants who have completed 16 years of education at an overseas educational
institution.

4.

Applicants who will have completed a special program at a vocational school (mustbe a 4-year program and meet the standards set by the Minister of Education,
Culture, Sports, Science and Technology) on or after the date set by the Minister of
Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology.

5.

Applicants designated by the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science andTechnology (1953 Ministry of Education Ordinance No.5)

6.

Applicants over 22 years of age who have shown in a separate prescreening thatthey have academic abilities equivalent or superior to the holder of a Bachelor's
degree.

[C] International Applicants
1.

Applicants who have completed or will complete 16 years of education at an
overseas educational institution by March 2025.
-7-

2.

International applicants who have graduated or expected to graduate from aJapanese university (as defined by the School Education Act, Article 83) by March
2025.

3.

International applicants who have shown in a separate prescreening that they haveacademic abilities equivalent or superior to the holder of a Bachelor's degree, and
who are over 22 years old.

[Notes]1.

For applicants applying under section [B] - 6, [C] - 3, please refer to the Application
Guidelines.

2.

Applicants applying under section [B] - 6, [C] - 3 must meet the following requirements.
a.

Must have graduated from a medical or nursing junior college, vocational school, orother specialized school, and must be over 22 years of age as of March 31, 2025. All
the below must also apply.
i.

Must have a national qualification in the medical, nursing, or social-welfare
field.

ii.

Must have 4 years or more work experience based on the above qualification.

iii.

Must have published a research paper, or have presented at a conference or
research workshop.

Note: Following is a list of medical, nursing, and social-welfare related national
qualifications.
A) Licensed doctor (includes dentists and veterinarians), shiatsu masseuse,
acupuncturist, moxibustion therapist, judo therapist, or any other medical
license holder who is allowed to have their own practice.
B) Nurse, midwife, public health nurse, radiological technologist, clinicaltechnologist, pharmacist, nutritionist, dietitian, clinical engineer, dental
hygienist, dental technician, physical therapist, prosthetist, speech therapist,
occupational therapist, orthoptist, medical technologist, or any other licensed
healthcare professional.
C) Psychiatric social worker, social worker, care worker, or any other social carerelated licensed professional.
b.

Must have graduated from a junior college, vocational school, or other specialized
school, and be over 22 years of age as of March 31, 2025. All the below must also
apply.
i.

Must have work experience conducting medical research or have over 4 years of
direct experience in a medical, nursing, or social-welfare related field. (Must-8-submit a certificate from the respective institution describing their work
experience).
ii.

Must have published a research paper, or have presented at a conference or
research workshop.

3.

Prescreening Process
Applicants applying under section [B] - 6, [C] - 3 must submit the following to determine
their eligibility. Please make sure to contact the prospective supervisor(s) well inadvance and discuss the relevant academic and research guidelines prior to submitting
the prescreening application.
(1) Prescreening Documents (Documents 1~4 must be submitted by all applicants)
1

Application form

Form 92

List of Achievements

Form 83

Graduation Certificate

Original copy. Not required for Kurume
University graduates.

4

Academic Transcripts

Original copy. Not required for Kurume
University graduates.

5

Copy of Medical and Nursing licenses

For applicants applying under [B] - 6,[C]- 3 only

6

Term of Employment Certificate

For applicants applying under [B] - 6,

(Documentation proving 4 years or[C]- 3 only

more of professional experience)(2) Submission Deadlines for Prescreening Applications
Kurume University Graduate School of Medicine holds entrance examinations twicea year. The submission periods for each examination are listed below.
Enrollment TermFirst term

Submission Period for “Prescreening Application”
Must be received between June10, 2024 (Monday) ~ June 14, 2024
(Friday).

Second termMust be received between November 11, 2024 (Monday) ~ November
15, 2024 (Friday).

Note: Prescreening applications received outside of these dates will not be accepted.
Once a prescreening application has been accepted, a formal application notice will
be issued. This formal application is valid up to the following school year.



Use only registered mail when applying via the postal service. Make sure to write“Kurume University Graduate School of Medicine, Graduate Program Application-9-

Enclosed” on the front of the package in red lettering

Reception hours are 9:00~17:00 (except 12:00~13:00) excluding Saturdays, Sundays,
and holidays.

Submitted applications will not be returned.

(3) Submission Address: please refer to p.12.
(4) Results of Prescreening Application
Applicants will be notified by mail of the results of the prescreening application
prior to the formal application deadline.
Successful applicants will be able to sit the entrance examination for the Kurume
University Graduate School of Medicine Master’s Degree program.

4.

Formal Application Process
Applicants must consult with their prospective advisor(s) about curriculum and researchprospects prior to submitting the formal application documents.
* Documents already submitted during the prescreening process may be omitted.

1.

Application

Form 1Form
2.

Personal

Form 2 (Maximum of 500 Japanese characters or 250 English words)

Statement
3.

Academic

Original transcripts issued by the university, junior college, orTranscripts *vocational schools you have attended. (Not required if you
graduated or expect to graduate from Kurume University)

4.

5.

Two Identical

Submit identical photographs taken within three months, showing

Photographsa front view above chest level. No cap or hat is allowed. The

Graduation
Certificate(s) *photograph must be 5 cm high by 4 cm wide.
Please affix one directly to the Application Form (Form 1) andanother to the Applicant’s Examination Admission Card (Form 3).
One original copy issued from the university, junior college, or
vocational schools you have attended. (Not required if you
graduated or expect to graduate from Kurume University)
For applicants who have completed (or expect to complete) 16 yearsof education at an overseas educational institution, documentary
proof is required. Such applicants must also submit a letter ofrecommendation from their university president or academic
advisor.

6.

Applicant’s

Form 3

Examination
Admission Card

- 10 -

7.

Application Fee¥30,000 (Form 4)
Fill out the designated bank transfer form and pay the application
fee at any convenient financial institution (banks, credit unions,credit associations, agricultural cooperative). (Money transfersfrom Japan Post Bank, convenience stores, and internet banking
are not available) The application fee will not be refunded under
any circumstances.

8.

Employer’s

Required from working professional applicants only. Form 5 must

Consent Formbe filled out and completed by the applicant’s supervisor at his or
her current place of employment.

9.

Registration

Form 6

Extension

Required from working professional applicants who would like toProgramtake advantage of the Registration Extension Program.

10. Certificate ofRequired from working professional applicants who wish to take

Employment

part in the Registration Extension Program. This differs from theTerm of Employment Certificate.

11. Formal
Application

For applicants who received a formal application notice, submit a
copy of the document.

Notice
12. English
Proficiency

Submit relevant Certifications. Refer to p.13-14.
(Does not apply to Biostatistics majors)

Exemption
Application
13. Copy of Degree

Required from those who have received a Degree from the National
Institution for Academic Degrees and Quality Enhancement ofHigher Education. For those who are expecting to receive such a
degree, submit the application acceptance notification.

14. Copy of passport

International Student applicants must submit a copy of theirand Resident

passport and Resident Card. International students who resideCardoutside of Japan and do not have a Resident Card need only submit
a copy of their passport.

15. International

This is an original form from the Graduate School. Contact theStudent

Administrative office before prescreening to obtain the form.

Questionnaire(Only for
International

Attach a Japanese translation of all foreign certificates anddocuments.

Obtain an official certificate or registration record if yourStudent Specialname has changed due to changes in marital status or family

Examination

circumstances.

applicants)



Attach documentation proving your ability to cover yourexpenses.
- 11 -

5.

Application Submission(1) Submission PeriodMust be submitted between July 16, 2024 (Tuesday) － July 19,

First term

2024 (Friday).
Must be submitted between December 16, 2024 (Monday) － December

Second term

20, 2024 (Friday).
Note: Applications received outside of these dates will not be accepted.
Use only registered mail when applying via postal service. Make sure to write“Kurume University Graduate School of Medicine, Graduate Program Application
Enclosed” on the front of the package in red lettering.



Reception hours are 9:00~17:00 (closed 12:00~13:00) except Saturdays, Sundays,
and holidays.

(2) Where to submit applications, and contact information
Kurume University Graduate School of Medicine, Graduate, Admissions office,Medical School Academic Affairs Section
67 Asahi-machi, Kurume, Fukuoka
830-0011 Japan
Tel: +81-0942-31-7528 (direct)
E-mail: igaku-kyomu@kurume-u.ac.jp
Homepage:https://www.kurume-u.ac.jp/faculty/gmed/examination/

Important Notice regarding Application Submission.
Submitted applications will not be returned.

No changes can be made to submitted applications. If any false or incorrect
information is found in the submitted documents, application eligibility will be
revoked, and the admission of any already enrolled student shall be cancelled.

- 12 -

6.

Selection Methods(1) Applicants will be selected based on the results of the entrance examination
described in (3) below, and a review of submitted documents.
(2) Examination DateFirst term

August 20, 2024(Tuesday)

Second term

January 14, 2025 (Tuesday)* Those who fail the first term examination may apply to take the second term examination.

(3) Examination Subjects and Venue[Medical Science, Life Sciences and Biostatistics majors (Life Sciences Division)]
Examination Subjects

Schedule

Venue

English

9:30~10:30

Room 1501, 5th floor, Academic Building 1,

Essay

11:00~12:00

Kurume University School of Medicine

13:00~

Details will be announced at above venue

Interview
1)

Applicants are required to be present at the venue by 9:10 am on the examination date.

2)

The English language test will be a written examination. (Printed dictionaries
allowed, but no electronic dictionaries are permitted in the examination hall.)[Life Sciences and Biostatistics majors (Biostatistics Division)]
Examination Subjects

Schedule

Venue
Conference Room 1, 2nd floor, Academic

English10:30~12:00

Building 1, Kurume University School of
Medicine

Interview

13:00~

Details will be announced at above venue

1)

Applicants are required to be present at the venue by 10:10 am on the examination date.

2)

English will be tested using High school level Math I・II problems given in English.
(Printed dictionaries allowed, but no electronic dictionaries are permitted in theexamination hall.)[Exemption from the English Examination]
Note: Not applicable for Life Sciences and Biostatistics majors from the Biostatistics
Division.
Applicants will be exempt from the English Examination if one of the following conditions
are met. A copy of the relevant English Proficiency results must be submitted along with thetest application.
1)

TOEIC (Listening & Reading Test) score of over 650- 13 -



2)

TOEFL score of over 65 points

3)

Practical English Proficiency Test, Level 2 or above

The official test scores are valid within 4 years of the entrance examination, with the
exception of the Practical English Proficiency Test.

For those who are exempt from taking the English subject examinations, the minimum
passing mark for the English subjects will be counted as their grade. Those who haverequested an exemption from the English subject examinations have the option to takethe examination, in which case the higher score will be used as their grade.

7.

Announcement of Results

Results will be posted at the entrance to Kurume University Academic Building 1 and on the
School of Medicine website on the date and time shown below. Results will also be sent by
mail to the address provided on the application form.

8.

9.

Enrollment Term

Announcement Schedule

First term

September 13, 2024 (Friday) at 10:00 am

Second term

February 14, 2025 (Friday) at 10:00 am

Enrollment Procedure (Admissions fee and enrollment application deadlines)
First term

September 27, 2024 (Friday)

Second term

February 21, 2025 (Friday)

Please submit all necessary
documents and complete
payment by the deadline. If not,enrollment will be canceled.

Admission Fees and Tuition

Medical Science, Life Sciences and Biostatistics majors
Admission Fee

JPY 240,000(JPY 120,000 for Kurume
University graduates)

Tuition (First Semester)First Semester

JPY 240,000(Annual JPY 480,000)

Laboratory Fee

First Semester

JPY 60,000(Annual JPY 120,000)

Educational
Development Fee

First Semester

JPY 30,000(Annual JPY 60,000)

Applicants using the Registration Extension Program, please refer to p. 16.

If an accepted applicant must for some reason decline enrollment after going
through the admission procedures, all fees except for the admissions fee will be
refunded if a letter notifying the school of the declined enrolment is received by the- 14 -

Admissions Office no later than 17:00 on February 21, 2025. Otherwise no refunds
will be made.

10. Kurume University Graduate School of Medicine Master’s Degree Scholarship Program
Kurume University has a school loan program awarding JPY 85,000 per month.

11. International Student Fee Reduction System
Tuition reduction for selected international students is available. This program covers either
50% or 100% of your enrollment fees and tuition.

12. Notes(1) Examination admission cards will be issued on the day of the examination at the venue.
Once you have obtained a receipt for your entrance examination fee the application process
is completed.
(2) Requests for change of major will not be accepted once the application is submitted. An
exception is made for Life Sciences and Biostatistics majors in the Biostatistics Division, whowill be assigned a “tentative supervisor” their first year, and a permanent academic supervisor
in the second year of their Master’s program.
(3) For those who have applied with “expected” documentation, please submit suchcertifications, and medical, nursing, and social-welfare related licenses as soon as possible.
(4) Past Graduate Department entrance examination questions will be posted in the
Academic Building 1, 2nd floor hall in front of the medical department administration officefrom 9:00~16:00 weekdays (excluding national and university holidays). Copies are notallowed.

Personal Information Policy
Kurume University will manage the personal information of applicants in compliance with
relevant laws and regulations concerning the protection of personal information during
the admission process. The University strives to ensure proper handling of personal
information and takes necessary measures for safe management.
Personal information provided during the application and admission procedure is used as
required for the entrance examination, acceptance announcement, enrollment procedures,student and faculty relations, and support for student life upon employment.
Personal information acquired by the University will not be disclosed or provided to athird party without consent.

- 15 -

[Extended Study Program]

The Extended Study Program allows students who are also working professionals to extend
their graduate program to three years. Please contact the academic office for more
information.

Program Outline(1) Applicable Candidates
This program is available for an applicant who has been admitted into the graduate
program through the Working Professional Special Admission process. The candidate
will not be eligible for such an extension if for any reason they cease to be employed
after April 2024.
(2) Eligibility
The following qualifications must be met
i.

Must be a full time employee at a corporation or a public organization, or be self
employed.

ii.

Any other person deemed fit for the Extended Study Program.

(3) Acceptance
Application should be submitted after discussions with your professor. Applications will
be reviewed and results will be mailed to the applicant’s mailing address. Enrollment in
the graduate program will not be affected even if applicant not accepted in the Extended
Study Program.
(4) Graduation Requirements and Credit Acquisition
The graduation and credit acquisition requirements for participants in the Extended
Study Program are the same as for regular students.
(5) Attendance Period and Enrollment Perioda.

Attendance period is to be 3 yearsb.

Enrollment period may be extended for a maximum of 5 years. A maximum of 2
years of leave from school is allowed during the extension period.

(6) Application Requirementsa.

Applicants in the Extended Study Program will not be eligible for early graduation.

b.

Extension program application and school ID must be submitted at the time ofregistration.

c.

No changes will be accepted once the application is submitted.

- 16 -

(7) School Feesa.

The standard two-year tuition will be divided by three and that sum will be paid as
an annual tuition for three years. From the fourth year of enrollment, tuition will be
the same as the standard annual tuition fees. Laboratory and educational
development fees will be charged according to school regulations.

Admission Fee (Example)
Medicine Majors /Life Sciences and Biostatistics Majors
First Year

Admission

Second Year

Third Year

Admission

SecondFirst

SecondFirst

SecondFee

SemesterSemesterSemesterSemesterSemester

Total

240,000

240,000(Kurume
University
graduate)(120,000)(120,000)

Tuition160,000

160,000

160,000

160,000

160,000

160,000

960,000

40,00040,00040,00040,00040,00040,000240,000

20,00020,00020,00020,00020,00020,000120,000

Fees

Laboratory
Fees
Educational
Development
Fee
Total

680,000

440,000

440,000

1,560,000(560,000)(440,000)(440,000)(1,440,000)(Kurume
University
graduate)- 17 -

Course Content and Professors
Medical Science Majors
Division

Major

Research Fields

Teaching Professor

Basic Medical

Human Anatomy

Department of Anatomy

Scienceand Cell Biology

Gross anatomical research
Clinical anatomical research (developmentof low invasive surgery, etc.)

Structure of the vascular system
Functional anatomy of the musculoskeletal system (lower extremity, etc.)

Anatomy of the thoracic andabdominal organs

Anatomy of the head and neck region
Analysis of the vascular distribution(Division of Gross andClinical Anatomy)
Koichi Watanabeof transplanted tissue (skin flap, etc.)Research of transcriptional regulation
by high-throughput sequencing
Identification and characterization ofnovel cell populations by single-cell
analyses
Research of transcriptional regulation
by generating genome editing mice

Department of Anatomy

Advance Imaging

Development of advanced imaging
methods for biomedical research andthe application
3D-cellular network in dermis andothers using 3D electron microscopy
including FIB-SEM tomography
Mitochondorial dynamics and interorganelle interaction by 3D
correlative light electron microscopy(CLEM)
Visualization of exosome secretion
Neuroscience
Clinical Neurophysiology
Optogenetics

Physiology

Neurophysiology

MolecularElectrophysiology and molecular

Department of

biology of ion channels

Physiology

Intracellular signaling

Noriyuki NakashimaGeneration and modulation











ClinicalPhysiology &Neuro sciencemechanisms of action potentials


Physiological roles of HCN channels
and cAMP in the central nervous
system- 23 -(Division of Microscopic
and Developmental
Anatomy)Yuichi Shima

Research Center
Keisuke Ohta

Fumiaki Yoshida

Division

Major

Basic Medical

Biochemistry of

ScienceResearch Fields
Teaching Professor

Metabolic diseases such as

Department of Medical

Metaboliccardiovascular disease, diabetes andBiochemistry

Disorders

gout; cancer, genome analysis and

Ken Yamamoto

molecular pathology analysis in
autoimmune disease, epigenome
biomarker identification for theabove diseases, and their significanceas regards development of chronic
disease.


Familial analysis of single genedisorders and the identification of
disease genes.

Clinical

Neuro and Clinical Pharmacology

Department ofPharmacologyDopaminergic signaling mediatedPharmacology

through protein phosphorylation

Akinori Nishi



Degeneration and regeneration of
dopaminergic neurons

Regulatory mechanisms ofneurotransmitter release evaluatedwith in vivo microdialysis

Neurochemical and behavioral
aspects of drug addiction

Pathophysiology

Pathology

Surgical pathology, tumor
histogenesis

Department of
Diagnostic
PathologyDepartment
of Diagnostic Pathology
Jun Akiba- 24 -

Division

Major

Research Fields

Teaching Professor

Bacteriology
Microbial Genomics

Department of

InfectiousDiseases

Evolution of Pathogenesis

Yoshitoshi Ogura

Host defense mechanisms against

Basic Medical

Pathology of

Science

Infectious Medicine

bacterial infections


New therapeutic agents for bacterial
infections



Infectious disease

Department of Infection

Nosocomial Infection Control

Control and Prevention

Tropical Medicine

Hiroshi WatanabeTravel Medicine

Trypanosoma brucei is a protozoa that can

Department ofcause African sleeping sickness. It belongs

Infectious Medicine

to the kinetoplast family, the oldest and(Division of Eukaryotic

most distant eucaryote from mammal

Microbiology)

species on the ribosome DNA phylogenetic

Masahiro Inouetree. We use this organism to study
differences in the signal transduction
system of the phosphorylation-dependent
molecular chaperone14-3-3, which also
exists in mammals, and to look for new
functions of molecular 14-3-3 in humans.
We also conduct screening for medications
targeting molecules affected by themolecular 14-3-3 signal.
Host DefenseGeneral immunology, particularly gut

Department of

immunity, and cell-based

Immunology

immunotherapy utilizingg suppressor

Atsushi Mizoguchi

cells.


Actively investigating the functional

Department ofmodulation of CEC (colonic epithelial

Immunology

cells), as a first line of defense in the

Emiko Mizoguchi

body, to complete our understanding
in the pathogenesis of IBD byutilizing animal models as well as
clinical samples
Chemical BiologyScreening of aptamers and their

Department of

biomedical applications

Chemistry

Regulation of function by post-

Yuichiro Higashimototranslational modification of proteins

Target identification and mechanismof action in chemical biology anddrug discovery- 25 -

Division

Major

Research Fields

Teaching Professor

SocialEpidemiology and

Health Policy

Department of Public

Medicine

Preventative

Health Economics

HealthMedicine

Epidemiology

Shinichi TaniharaReal world data analysis in
medicine

Environmental

Occupational Medicine

Department ofMedicine

1)

Effects of hyperbaric

Environmental Medicine

environment on health.

Tatsuya Ishitake

2)

Prevention and managementof vibration disorders.

3)

Health management for
Health care and welfare
workers.

Environmental Medicine
1)

Health effects ofelectromagnetic waves.

2)

Indoor air pollution and sickhouse syndrome.

Community Health1)

Research on HIA (HealthImpact Assessment)
applications.

Human Genetics



Forensic medical research on

Department of Forensic

blood groups and serum

Medicine

protein.

Yoshiro Koda

Genetics research on humanblood groupfucosyltransferase genes

Health ScienceClinical research on exercise

Department of Sports(physical activity) and the

Medicine Human Healtheffect of lifestyle changes on

Science Studies, Faculty of

disease prevention.

Human HealthResearch on the effects of

Noriko Yoshida

physical activity andnutritional intake onlifestyle diseases and theirpathology, along with its
effect on arteriosclerosis risk
factors.

- 26 -

Division
SocialMedicine

Major

Rehabilitation
Biomechanics

Research Fields


Exercise therapy for health

Hiroo Matsuse , M.D.,

promotion

Ph.D.

Exercise therapy for theDivision of Rehabilitation,

chronic pain

Kurume University

Electrical stimulation

Hospital

therapyBiomechanics of the physicalfunction

Study of the musculoskeletal
atrophy during inactivity

Study of the muscles andbones linkage

Teaching Professor

・Study of management of
the muscle skeletal function
in aerospace- 27 -

Life Sciences and Biostatistics Majors
Division

Major

Research Fields



Research to understandadaptation to starvation by
analyzing the mechanisms that
regulate feeding and bodytemperature.
Research to understand how
food preferences are regulated
by molecular
neuroendocrinological analysis.
Research to discover new
bioactive peptides and analyze
their functions.

Institute of Life

Molecular biology of cell proliferation:

Cell proliferation control in response
to alterations in the nutritional
conditions

Molecular mechanisms ensuring
accurate chromosome segregation inmitosisInstitute of Life

Research

In this course, you can learn and acquire

Institute of LifeManagement

skills needed for an independent principal

Science (Division of

investigator (PI) or Research

Molecular Genetics)

Administrator (URA)

Takahiro Sato

Life

Genetic

Sciences

Information



Cell Biology







Biostatistics

Teaching Professor

Biostatistics



Science (Division of
Molecular Genetics)
Takahiro Sato

Science (Department
of Cell Biology)
Shigeaki Saitoh

Scientific writing
How to apply for research grants andacademic positions
Methods of Scientific presentation
Intellectual Property Management
Management of collaborations
between industry and academic
Research ethics
Biostatistics CenterSurvival data analysis
Environmental epidemiology
statistics modeling and risk analysis
Bayesian statisticsClinical Trial Design
Diagnostic Medicine
Statistical Consulting

Biostatistics Center- 28 -

Kyoji Furukawa

Kenta Murotani

Medical Science Major (Basic Medical Science and Social Medicine Division)
Division

Subject

Basic

Human

Subjects

AnatomyHuman
Physiology

CreditYear

L/Seligible

2

1, 2

2

1, 2

2

1, 2

1

1, 2

Advanced
Physics1

1, 2

Advanced

1

1, 2

Biology
Advanced
Chemistry1

1, 2

Medical1

1, 2

Bioethics I

1

1,2

Clinical
Genetics

1

1,2

Medicine1

1, 2

Rehabilitation
Medicine

1

1, 2Introduction to
Medical

1

1, 2

1

1, 2

2

1, 2

2

1, 2

Nursing Policy

2

1, 2

Nursing Theory

2

1, 2

2

1, 2

Animal Science
Nursing Ethics
Nursing
ResearchNursing
Consultation

4

1,2

4

1,2

Clinical Pharmacology

4

1,2Pathophysiology

4

1,2

4

1,2

4

1,2

4

1

4

1,2

4

1,2

Human Genetics

4

1,2

Health Science

4

1,2

4

1,2

4

1

Pathology of Infectious
Diseases
Bioregulation*Fundamental
Medicine Seminar
Environmental
Medicine
Epidemiology andPreventative Medicine

Rehabilitation
Biomechanics

Engineering
Laboratory

1,2

Disorders

Social Medicine

Transplant

4

Biochemistry of Metabolic

Major Subjects

Education

eligible

Clinical Neurophysiology

Basic Medicine

Social Medicine

L/S

Biology

Medicine
Introduction toYear

Subject
Human Anatomy and Cell

Introduction to
ClinicalCreditDivision* Social Medicine
SeminarChoose one of two majors

8 credits minimum (includes 4 seminar credits)- 29 -

Division

Subject

Basic

Advanced andSubjects

Specialized
ResearchCreditYear

L/Seligible

Division

Subject

CreditYear

L/Seligible

Minimum of 4 credits from non-major subjects
2

1, 2

1

1, 2

2

1, 2

2

1, 2

2

1, 2

2

1, 2

2

1, 2

2

1, 2

2

1, 2

2

1, 2

(Lecture)

Techniques (Lab)Intoroductory
Applied
Biostatistics
Introduction toIntellectual
Property

Minor Subjects

Biostatistics

The Basis andPractice
Introduction to
ClinicalResearch
ClinicalPharmacology
for Nursing
Practice
PhysicalAssessment
Pathophysiology for
Healthcare
Management
Healthcare
Economics

Minimum 10 Credits Required

Common Credits

Nursing PracticeThesis guidance seminar4

1-2

To be taken during the second semester of thefirst academic year and first semester of thesecond academic year. 4 credits required.
Must be in line with your major subjects.

SeminarGraduate

SeriesSchool Seminar

1

1, 2

SeriesSpecial Lecture(1 credit minimum)
Electives: 3 credits from subjects not yet studied.
Total: 30 credit minimum (for those whose Master’s thesis has been accepted) Subjects marked with anasterisk (*) are required subjects for the particular program.

- 30 -

Life Sciences and Biostatistics Majors (Life Sciences and Biostatistics Division)
Division

Year

L/S

eligible

Human Anatomy

2

1, 2

Human Physiology

2

1, 2

Subjects

Introduction to
Clinical Medicine
Introduction toSocial Medicine
Advanced Physics
Advanced Biology

CreditYear

L/Seligible

Research Ethics

2

1

Molecular Cell Biology

21

Biology of Gene

2

1

Omics Analysis

11

Bioinformatics

1

2

DivisionLife Sciences and Biostatistcs

Basic

CreditSubject

Subject

2

1, 2

1

1, 2

Research Management

2

1

1

1, 2

Science Communication

2

1

2

1

Scientific Writing for

1

1, 2

1

1, 2

Bioventure Studies

2

1

Medical Education

1

1, 2

Life Science of Diseases

2

1

Bioethics I

1

1, 2

2

1

Clinical Genetics

1

1, 2

2

1

1

1,2

2

1

1

1,2

2

1

1

1, 2

2

1

1

1, 2

2

1

Nursing Ethics

2

1, 2

2

2

Nursing Research

2

1, 2

2

1

Nursing Policy

2

1, 2

2

2

Nursing Theory

2

1, 2

2

1

2

2

2

1

2

2

Advanced
Chemistry

Medicine
Rehabilitation
Medicine
Medical Engineering
Laboratory Animal
ScienceNursing
Consultation

Intracellular Organelle
Cell Signaling

Research

Organ Interaction
Regulations of Appetite,
Stress, Aging
Science of Energy
Metabolism
Experimental Methodsof Bioscience
Experimental Methodsof Bioscience (Training)
Science of Experimental
Animals
Science of Experimental
Animals (Training)
Science of Model
Organisms I: Yeast
Science of Model

2

1, 2

Organisms I: Yeast(Training)
Science of Model Organisms

Advanced andSpecialized

Molecular Biology ofLife Sciences

Introduction to

Molecular Biology ofAdvanced Application

TransplantResearch Paper

II: Fly, Nematode2

1, 2

Science of Model Organisms
II: Fly, NematodeTechniques (Lab)(Training)- 31 -

Division
Basic
Subjects

Subject
Intoroductory
Biostatistics
Applied
Biostatistics

CreditYear

L/Seligible

Division

Subject

CreditYear

L/Seligible

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

1

2

1

2

1

2

1

2

1

Data base Analysis of
1

1, 2

Bioscience: Analysis of
Mega-Data
Data base Analysis of

2

1, 2

Bioscience: Analysis of
Mega-Data (Training)

Introduction to
Property

2

Life Sciences

Intellectual
1, 2

The Basis andPractice

Making of Protocol
and Research Designof Bioscience
Making of Protocol

Introduction to

ClinicalPharmacology for

Assessmentof Bioscience(Training)
Internship of

2

1, 2

2

1, 2

2

1, 2

Clinical Trials

2

1, 2

Medical Data Analysis

Nursing PracticePhysicaland Research Design

1, 2Advanced Application

Clinical Research

2

Bioventure

Biostatistical
Methodology in

Pathophysiology
for Nursing
Practice
Management

Healthcare
Economics

2

Biostatistics

Healthcare

1, 2Introduction to BioData Analysis
Introduction to
Statistical
Epidemiology
Introduction to

Minimum 10 credits required

Genome Science- 32 -

Division

Subject

CreditYear

L/Seligible

1

1

4

1

4

1

Introduction to
Pharmacokinetic/

Survival Analysis

1

2

1

1

1

1

Biostatistics Seminar I

3

1, 2

Observational Data
Analysis II

Biostatistics

Biostatistics

eligible

DesignAdvanced Application

Biostatistics

Advanced Application Subject

Theoretical

Year

L/S

Subject
Research Protocol

Pharmacodynamic
Basic Biostatistics

CreditDivision

Biostatistical Methods
in Clinical Trials

2

1

1

1

1

1

Bioinformatics Seminar I

3

1, 2

Bio-Data Modeling2

1

Biostatistics Seminar II

4

1, 2

Machine Learning

2

1

4

1, 2

Observational
Data Analysis I
Environmental
Statistics

Bioinformatics
Seminar II

Life Sciences Major: Students must complete a minimum of 36 credits (10 elective credits from Basic
Subjects, 18 required credits from Specialized Applied Subjects (Life Sciences), and 8 elective credits fromSpecialized Applied Subjects (Life Sciences). (Applies to students whose Master’s thesis has been
accepted).
Biostatistics Major: Students must complete a minimum of 30 credits from Specialized Applied Subjects(Biostatistics). (Applies to students whose Master’s thesis has been accepted).

Note 1: L stands for lecture and S stands for seminar.
Note 2: Students must complete either Biostatistics seminar I or Bioinformatics Seminar I.
Note 3: Students must complete either Biostatistics seminar II or Bioinformatics Seminar II.
Note 4: All classes except those indicated in Notes 2 and 3 are compulsory electives.
Note 5: All students are free to enroll in basic classes.

- 33 -