English Program of Environmental Earth Science for Sustainable Society

EPEES: English Program of Environmental Earth Science for a Sustainable Society (Graduate School of Environmental Science)

EPEES applications for the enrollment in October 2020 and April 2021 are currently being invited.

Admission Requirements for the EPEES Master’s Course

Master’s Course applicants must:

• have finished (or be expected to finish) 16 years of education by the month before the enrollment period;
• hold a Bachelor’s master in any field.

Admission Requirements for the EPEES Doctoral Course

Doctoral Course applicants must:

• have finished (or be expected to finish) 18 years of education by the month before the enrollment period;
• hold a Master’s degree in any field.

Regular Admission

Regular entrance examination application documents should be submitted to the Academic Affairs Office by July 17, 2020. See the Graduate School website for details of the regular entrance examination (will be updated in May). (https://www.ees.hokudai.ac.jp/?page_id=2720&lang=en)

Pre-arrival Admission

Several applicants may qualify for Pre-arrival Admission, which enables them to take entrance examinations in their own countries by using the equipment like the Polycom or Skype system if it is settled in their universities. If it is difficult to take the interview by using the equipment, there are some cases we cannot accept their applications. To apply for Pre-arrival Admission, submit the documents listed below for screening by May 11, 2020 by email (our office will be closed between May 2 to 6 due to National holidays). If interested, contact the Academic Affairs Office of our graduate school before proceeding for further information.

1. Admission Application form with ID photo (The designated form must be used, and will be provided upon request. The photo should be taken on February 11, 2020or later, 4 x 3 cm, upper body, facing forward with no headwear).

2. Curriculum Vitae (The designated form must be used, and will be provided upon request)

3. Graduation Certificate (or Certificate of Expected Graduation)

4. Academic Transcript

5. Copy of passport “face page”

6. For the Master’s ’s Course, a 1,000-word essay on the reasons for the application and your research plan within the program

7. For the Doctoral Course, a 1,500-word essay on the reasons for the application and your research plan within the program

8. Applicants should submit a copy of TOEFL, TOEIC or IELTS score sheet obtained within the last two years with the application.

Announcement of Pre-arrival Examination Candidates

Applicants selected as candidates for Pre-arrival Examination based on document screening will be notified by the beginning of July 2020 and should send all additional forms for the entrance examination. These forms must be submitted with the examination fee (JPY 30,000) by July 17, 2020 after receiving the notification.
* See the Graduate School website for details of the regular entrance examination.

Entrance Examination and Interviews in Candidates’ Own Countries
Entrance examinations and Pre-arrival Examination interviews will be held by using the equipment like Polycom or Skype system if it is settled in your university by August 25, 2020. Information on exact dates, times and locations will be provided after screening. Interviewees will be asked about their Bachelor’s or Master’s thesis and future plans for study on the Master’s or Doctoral courses, respectively.

Enrollment without Pre-arrival Examination

Applicants not qualifying for Pre-arrival Examination can take the regular entrance examination for the Global Environmental Management Course at the Division of Environmental Science Development. Applications must be submitted by July 17, 2020.

Announcement of Successful Candidates

The final successful candidates will be announced on September 3, 2020.

Scholarships

EPEES program does not offer a scholarship for the students. A few students may get the Monbukagakusho Scholarship for Privately Financed International Students; a monthly amount of JPY 48,000 for six months or one year after their arrival in Japan.

Contact

Dr. Tatsufumi Okino (program supervisor)
E-mail: okino＠ees.hokudai.ac.jp
Academic Affairs Office, Graduate School of Environmental Science, Hokkaido University
Kita 10, Nishi 5, Kita-ku, Sapporo 060-0810, Japan
E-mail: kyomu@ees.hokudai.ac.jp
Phone: +81-11-706-2205

Characteristics of EPEES

EPEES is a Graduate School of Environmental Science English program with Master’s and Doctoral courses.

• The program is intended to foster the development of professionals and researchers who can contribute to solve international environmental problems with extensive knowledge and global perspectives.
• The program is conducted entirely in English.
• Students are required to pursue a main research topic and study a sub-research topic as a mini-project.
• The program is run by the Division of Environmental Science Development in conjunction with three other Graduate School divisions.
• Pre-arrival Admission * may be offered on the program.
  * See the information on Pre-arrival Admission and scholarships.

Introduction

Globalization has caused various environmental issues around the world that often transcend borders. In order to solve these problems, to conserve the earth’s precious environment for future generations and to build up a sustainable society, this program is intended to foster the development of professionals and researchers who can contribute to the protection of global and local environments based on extensive knowledge, global perspectives and the ability to act practically using their expertise. Graduates are expected to understand different cultures, customs and values, and to be able to cope with environmental problems in collaboration with researchers and experts from various countries. The program involves practical education in English through classes, work and seminars with the aim of seeking ways to maintain and enhance the sustainability of the earth’s system. Students adopt a main theme for their Master’s or Doctoral thesis under a supervisor, and simultaneously study a sub-research topic from a different field within a study group. This approach fosters the ability to judge international environmental problems appropriately on the basis of interdisciplinary focus.

Special Research for Theses

Students perform two or three years of special research under a supervisor on a main topic chosen from the fields of study listed below, and also investigate a sub-research topic as a mini-project in the course seminar. The sub-research topic should be in a field different from that of the main topic.
Fields of Study

• Human and Ecological Systems, Environmental Adaptation Science, Practical Science for the Environment, Global Environmental Management (Division of Environmental Science Development)
• Biogeochemistry, Atmosphere-Ocean and Climate Dynamics, Cryosphere Science (Division of Earth System Science)
• Biodiversity Science, Ecological Genetics, Molecular Biology, Plant Ecology, Animal Ecology, Marine Biogeochemistry and Biology, Aquatic Biology, Forest Field Science, Agro-Ecosystem Science (Division of Biosphere Science)
• Biomaterials Chemistry, Environmental Nano-Materials, Molecular Photonics and Electronics Science, Environmental Catalytic Chemistry (Division of Environmental Materials Science)

Master’s Course: Completion Requirements

In order to complete the course and obtain a Master in Environmental Science degree, students must earn 30 credits or more from the categories listed below.
Compulsory Subjects: 16 credits

1. Seminar in Environmental Science Development I (Program Seminar) (4 credits)
2. Special Research in Environmental Science Development I (8 credits)
3. Two core subjects (4 credits)
4. Optional Subjects: (14 credits)

Students may choose from the advanced subjects, common subjects and laboratory and fieldwork areas listed below.

Doctoral Course: Completion Requirements

In order to complete the course and obtain a Doctor in Environmental Science degree, students must:

• take the Seminar in Environmental Science Development II (Program Seminar) (4 credits) and Special Research in Environmental Science Development II (8 credits);
• take two core subjects (4 credits);
• submit a dissertation in English and pass a dissertation review;
• have at least one paper published from an international peer-reviewed scientific journal.

EPEES Curriculum

1. Core Subjects

• Fundamental Course in Environmental Science (2 credits)
• Introduction to Environmental Science (2 credits)
• Introduction to Global Environmental Management (2 credits)

2. Elective Courses

• Fundamental Course in Biogeochemistry (2 credits)
• Fundamental Course in Atmosphere-Ocean Physics (2 credits)
• Fundamental Course in Biological Diversity (2 credits)
• Fundamental Course in Biodiversity of Northern Ecosystems (2 credits)
• Fundamental Course in Molecular Biology (2 credits)
• Fundamental Course in Materials Science Ⅰ (2 credits)
• Fundamental Course in Materials Science Ⅱ (2 credits)
• Fundamental Course in Materials Science Ⅲ (2 credits)
• Fundamental Course in Environmental Science Research (1 credits)
• Introduction to Natural Environmental Studies (2 credits)
• Introduction to Renewable Energy(2 credits)
• Introduction to Circumpolar North (2 credits)
• Advanced Course in Environmental Pollution Comparison (2 credits)
• Advanced Course in Geoecological Resources (2 credits)
• Advanced Course in Climate Change Impacts (2 credits)
• Advanced Course in Hydrological Cycle (2 credits)
• Advanced Course in Environmental Geoinformatics (2 credits)
• Advanced Course in Water Resources (2 credits)
• Advanced Course in Watershed Environmental Science (2 credits)
• Advanced Course in Environmental Conservation (2 credits)
• Advanced Course in Environmental Adaptation (2 credits)
• Advanced Course of International Science Communication Methods (2 credits)
• Advanced Course in Academic English Writing for Environmental Sciences (2 credits)
• Advanced Course in Paleoclimatology (2 credits)
• Advanced Course in Ocean Biogeochemistry (2 credits)
• Advanced Course in Ecosystems and Environments(2 credits)
• Advanced Course in Theoretical Glaciology (2 credits)
• Advanced Course in Molecular Photonics and Electronics Science Ⅰ (2 credits)
• Advanced Course in Environmental Catalytic Chemistry Ⅱ (2 credits)
• Special Lecture in Environmental Science Development Ⅱ (2 credits)
• Special Lecture in Environmental Science Development Ⅲ (2 credits)
• Special Lecture in Biosphere Science Ⅱ (2 credits)
• Other Lectures conducted in English

3. Work and Seminars

• Laboratory Work in Environmental Analysis (4 credits)
• Laboratory Work in Environmental Materials Science Ⅰ (4 credits)
• Laboratory Work in Environmental Materials Science Ⅱ (4 credits)
• EPEES Program Seminar (GEM Course Seminar)
• Other Course or Laboratory seminar

4. Special Research and Reading

• Seminar in Environmental Science Development Ⅰ (for Master’s Course) (4 credits)
• Research in Environmental Science Development Ⅰ (for Master’s Thesis) (8credits)
• Seminar in Environmental Science Development Ⅱ (for Doctoral Course) (4 credits)
• Research in Environmental Science Development Ⅱ (for Doctoral Dissertation) (8credits)