Graduate School of Agriculture and Life Science -Master’s Program-
Policies on Curricula and the Granting of Degrees
Graduate School of Agriculture and Life Science
1．Curriculum Targets
- Mastery of research methods built on the knowledge and skills acquired from specialized courses, and an ability to develop deep, original reasoning and research skills
- Mastery of problem-solving skills built on the knowledge and skills acquired from specialized courses, and an ability to propose practical solutions as a highly skilled professional for sustainable community development
2．Policies on Curriculum Organization
Building upon the basic courses taken as undergraduates, graduate students will further develop their critical thinking skills and acquire the advanced expertise needed for careers as researchers and technical experts. Exceptional students will be encouraged to pursue doctoral degrees at the United Graduate School of Agricultural Sciences at Iwate University.
- An “academic research program (researcher-oriented)” and an “academic research program (technical expert-oriented)” are offered in each Course to match diverse students needs.
- In addition, a “practice-oriented research program for part-time students,” with a reduced course load required for graduation, is available for part-time students who are employed but wish to continue or resume their education.
- Interdisciplinary “cross-courses” and courses designed to fill the gaps between different academic fields, referred to as “sub-courses,” are offered to meet changing societal needs, and enable students to customize their study program to extend beyond the boundaries of their respective graduate coursework.
- “Specialized courses” and “sub-courses” in each Course are offered evenly in both spring and fall semesters so that students entering the program in the fall will not be disadvantaged. Students will be able to take all available “common courses” the semester they enter the program.
3．Assessment Criteria
Credits are generally granted based on examination results. However, some Courses will grant credit based on performance in class and/or the results of reports or other projects. Grades for each course will strictly adhere to the criteria stipulated below.
| A (100–90) | Is able to relate and apply highly specialized knowledge and skills to other academic areas |
|---|---|
| B (89–80) | Has acquired highly specialized knowledge and skills, and is able to apply them |
| C (79–70) | Has acquired fundamental and specialized knowledge and skills |
| D (69–60) | Has acquired a minimal level of specialized knowledge and skills |
| F (59–0) | Did not acquire a minimal level of knowledge or skill |
4．Master’s Thesis Defense
To obtain a Master’s Degree in this program, students are required to study for at least 2 years and earn at least 32 course credits. They must also, after having received the necessary research supervision, pass the thesis review and a final examination.
Part-time students who continue to hold down a job while pursuing a master’s degree may choose, with the approval of their supervisor, to substitute a research report for the master’s thesis.
Evaluation of the master’s thesis or research report will be conducted through a strict review of the thesis and a final examination to be conducted by one primary reviewer and two co-reviewers.
The master’s thesis must be at a level suitable for publication in scientific journals and as such must impart new knowledge. The research report must reinforce or reaffirm previous knowledge.
Biology Program
1．Curriculum Overview
The universality observed in the basic life activities of all organisms and the biodiversity that is observed in the morphology and behaviors of individuals are formed by the interaction between the genetic information coded in DNA and the surrounding environment. This graduate program focuses on research related to understanding the factors that support basic life activity processes and their mechanisms, including development, energy metabolism, adaptation and evolution, as well as research on dynamic and composite biological and ecological systems formed through the interaction of individuals, the environment, and biodiversity. Program graduates will move on to become researchers in biological fields, biotechnology experts knowledgeable in agriculture and food products, and specialists who can work towards the conservation of ecosystems.
2．Curriculum Targets
① Knowledge and Understanding
- Acquiring and understanding advanced knowledge and the critical thinking based on this knowledge needed for R&D related to the diverse biological phenomena of biological individuals and groups
- Acquiring and understanding advanced knowledge and the critical thinking based on this knowledge needed for R&D related to the protection and conservation of the natural environment
② Discipline-Specific Abilities
- The ability to plan, implement, and assess the results of R&D pertaining to the understanding of the diverse biological phenomena of biological individuals and groups
- The ability to plan, implement, and assess the results of R&D pertaining to the protection and conservation of the natural environment
- Understanding and capacity to use advanced scientific English
③ General Abilities
- The ability to collect and organize information pertaining to R&D
- The ability to cooperate with others as well as to act independently in R&D activities
- To actively participate in academic debates
- To present research at academic conferences and to publish papers in scholarly journals
- To plan, implement, and assess the results of R&D to solve pressing social problems
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Program
1．Curriculum Overview
Life is constantly sustained by the many chemical reactions of biological molecules (enzyme reaction system). Technologies that utilize such systems are expected to play an important multifaceted role in the near future. This program is designed to educate future researchers, highly specialized experts, and Ph.D. candidates who, through their international perspective and specialized knowledge and skills related to research in biological functions and reaction mechanisms and the production and control of material by organisms, can flourish in and contribute to society. In this program, graduate students will gain specialized knowledge and learn technologies that will help them develop an understanding of life functions at the cellular, genetic, and molecular levels as well as master material production control skills. Through their independent research, graduate students will gain in-depth knowledge and develop advanced skills that will enable them to excel in professions that require highly specialized expertise, and ultimately contribute to the development of society as a whole.
2．Curriculum Targets
① Knowledge and Understanding
To acquire a fundamental knowledge of organic chemistry and biochemistry as well as the fundamental and specialized knowledge needed to understand biological functions at the molecular level
② Discipline-Specific Abilities
To acquire fundamental academic skills necessary for the study of molecular biology, cellular biology, natural products chemistry, enzyme chemistry, and applied microbiology, and an ability to plan, implement, and assess the results of R&D pertaining to related academic fields
③ General Abilities
Willingness to challenge new academic fields, and the acquisition of problem-setting and problem-solving skills that can help contribute to the betterment of humankind
Applied Biosciences Program
1．Curriculum Overview
This program is designed to turn graduate students into skilled specialists who can conduct research on breeding technologies for new food plant varieties, soil and pest management in food plant production, and food product function and safety to ensure a sufficient, environment-friendly, and sustainable food supply.
The program therefore requires that graduate students take courses that enable them to enhance their technical English and presentation skills and to master the research methods necessary to conduct research that results in publication. Relevant up-to-date knowledge will be conveyed in specialized courses. Research topics will be provided to graduate students, who will conduct research for two years in “Special Research I” and “Special Research II.” Through this research, students are expected to develop practical R&D and communication skills.
2．Curriculum Targets
① Knowledge and Understanding
- Mastery and understanding of the advanced knowledge needed for R&D related to plant breeding
- Mastery and understanding of the advanced knowledge needed for R&D related to a diversity of functions and food product safety
- Mastery and understanding of advanced knowledge, especially soil chemistry and soil microbiology, needed for research and development related to soil environments that ensure healthy crop growth
- Mastery and understanding of the advanced knowledge, especially mycology, plant pathogenic microbiology, and insect physiology needed for research and development related to plant pest controls that ensure healthy crop growth
② Discipline-Specific Abilities
- Ability to plan, implement, and assess the results of R&D pertaining to plant breeding
- Ability to plan, implement, and assess the results of R&D pertaining to the diversity of functions and food product safety
- Ability to plan, implement, and assess the results of R&D pertaining to soil environments that ensure healthy crop growth
- Ability to plan, implement, and assess the results of R&D pertaining to plant pest controls that ensure healthy crop growth
③ General Abilities
- Collect information pertaining to research and development
- Cooperate and act independently in research and development activities as a member of the research and development (R&D) team
- Actively participate in academic debates
- Present research at academic conferences, publish papers in scholarly journals, and reach out to the general public to share research results
Agriculture and Horticulture Program
1．Curriculum Overview
The program focuses on research that contributes to the revitalization of agriculture, to advances in agricultural production techniques, and to improvements in the environment with the aim of establishing sustainable and multi-functional agriculture, food systems and human livelihoods. Graduate students will acquire specialist expertise and knowledge in agricultural production and agricultural management, economics and distribution, and will develop the ability to independently identify and solve problems in several areas of expertise.
2．Curriculum Targets
① Knowledge and Understanding
- Mastery and understanding of the advanced knowledge needed for research and development in each specialized field of study
- Mastery and understanding of the advanced knowledge needed for R&D and for the identification and solution of agricultural production problems
- Mastery and understanding of the advanced knowledge needed for research and development related to food and agricultural functions in cultural, social, and natural contexts
② Discipline-Specific Abilities
- Ability to plan, implement, and assess the results of research and development pertaining to technical characteristics and modern problems in agricultural production of individual products
- Ability to plan, implement, and assess the results of R&D that relate to improvements in agricultural production efficiency
- Ability to plan, implement, and assess the results R&D pertaining to the application of agricultural production technologies at work sites
- Ability to plan, implement, and assess the results of R&D pertaining to agricultural management, economics, and distribution
- Ability to plan, implement, and assess the results of R&D that lead to a comprehensive understanding of problems in food and agriculture from the perspectives of the natural and social sciences
- Ability to plan, implement, and assess the results of R&D in order to initiate policies that can help solve agricultural and horticultural problems through the practical and knowledge-based abilities outlined in the five points above.
③ General Abilities
- To be able to collect and organize information relevant to R&D activities
- To be able to cooperate and act independently in R&D activities
- To be able to actively participate in academic debates
- To present research at academic conferences and to publish papers in scholarly journals
Agricultural and Environmental Engineering Program
1．Curriculum Overview
The program is designed to help graduate students become highly skilled experts with independent problem-solving skills and the highly specialized knowledge and skills necessary for the management of production infrastructure, the maintenance of a living environment for local residents, and development of planning methods, all with the aim of protecting and conserving the natural environment. All programs therefore require that students take courses on research methodology and presentation skills. Required courses also include research, hands-on exercises, and seminars customized for each academic discipline, as well as courses on water, soil, infrastructure, and the environment that are specifically designed for this Course.
2．Curriculum Targets
① Knowledge and Understanding
- Structured and expert understanding of agricultural engineering and the rural environment
- Comprehensive understanding of local issues
- Expert understanding of water, soil, infrastructure, disaster prevention, and the environment
② Discipline-Specific Abilities
- Ability to scientifically analyze rural community issues
- Knowledge for planning solutions to problems based on an understanding of agricultural engineering, the local community, and the environment
- Specialized and comprehensive knowledge and skills for the identification of solutions and the implementation of policies
③ General Abilities
- Ability to view local issues at both domestic and global levels
- Aptitude for learning theories by working on practical problems
- Self-management and communication skills, mindfulness and understanding of others and the practicing of social responsibility