English Program of Environmental Earth Science for a Sustainable Society (EPEES)
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.
What is EPEES?
EPEES is a Graduate School of Environmental Science (GSES) 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.
- The program is run by the Division of Environmental Science Development in conjunction with three other GSES divisions.
- Pre-arrival Admission may be offered on the program
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:
- 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)
Completion Requirements
In order to complete the course and obtain a degree of Master of EnvironmentalScience, students must earn 30 credits or more from the categories listed below:
- Compulsory Subjects: 16 credits
- Seminar in Environmental Science Development I (Program Seminar): 4 credits
- Special Research in Environmental Science Development I: 8 credits
- Two core subjects: 4 credits
- Optional Subjects: 14 credits
Students may choose from the advanced subjects, common subjects and laboratory and fieldwork areas.
In order to complete the course and obtain a degree of Doctor of Environmental Science, 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.
Curriculum
- Core Subjects
- Fundamental Course in Environmental Science (2 credits)
- Introduction to Environmental Science (2 credits)
- Introduction to Global Environmental Management (2 credits)
- Elective Courses
- Fundamental Course in Biogeochemistry (2 credits)
- Fundamental Course in Atmosphere-Ocean Physics (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)
- Advanced Course in Aquatic Biology I (2 credits)
- Special Lecture in Environmental Science Development Ⅱ (2 credits)
- Special Lecture in Environmental Science Development Ⅲ (2 credits)
- Other Lectures conducted in English
- 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
- Special Research and Reading
- Seminar in Environmental Science Development Ⅰ (for Master Course) (4 credits)
- Research in Environmental Science Development Ⅰ (for Master Thesis) (8credits)
- Seminar in Environmental Science Development Ⅱ (for Doctoral Course) (4 credits)
- Research in Environmental Science Development Ⅱ (for Doctoral Dissertation) (8credits)
Scholarships
The EPEES program does not offer specific scholarships for the students. However, the students may apply for and get scholarships as follows:
- MEXT (Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Japan) Scholarship
- Special Grant Program for International Students – Research Assistant Program of Graduate School of Environmental Science
- Scholarships provided by Japanese organizations
Related information
Contact
- Prof. Dr. Tatsufumi Okino (program supervisor)
E-mail: okino @ ees.hokudai.ac.jp - Academic Affairs Office, Graduate School of Environmental Science (GSES)
Hokkaido University
Kita 10, Nishi 5, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido 0600810, JAPAN
E-mail: kyomu @ ees.hokudai.ac.jp
Phone: +81 11 706 2205
