Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences

1. Overview

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The Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences (GSALS) is home to researchers and students engaged in a wide range of research activities. We study all types of ecosystems - arable lands, forests, aquatic environments, and all components of ecosystems - plants, animals, and microorganisms. Of particular research interest are the plants, animals, and microorganisms that serve as useful biological resources. Our research methods are diverse and the scale of our research ranges from the molecular/cellular level, the individual organism level, to the ecosystem and the global level. Research areas encompassed by GSALS include social sciences, namely agricultural economics and policy, where the focus is on the relationship between human beings, living organisms, and the environment. While scientific pursuits will no doubt further enrich the store of knowledge, the fruits of our research efforts will also directly lead to the betterment and prosperity of humanity. It is the mission of GSALS to contribute to a sustainable society through our research in the fields of food, biological resources, environment, and life sciences.

GSALS aims to conduct first-rate research as well as offer quality education for students to become leaders in their respective fields.

In addition to the programs offered by the 12 departments that comprise GSALS, we provide an interdepartmental bioinformatics program and a multidisciplinary program designed in collaboration with business, government, and private institutions. Our affiliated institutions include the Institute for Sustainable Agro-ecosystem Services, The University of Tokyo Forests, Animal Resource Science Center, Veterinary Medical Center, and the Fisheries Laboratory to name a few. Basic research and applied research conducted at these facilities, each with world-class research capacity, are vital to the education and research at our School.

The scope of our research activities is spread across the globe, which explains the rapid internationalization of the School. GSALS has signed academic agreements with universities across Asia and around the world, and is currently engaged in a number of academic exchanges and collaborative research. Over 250 international students are enrolled in our graduate program as of today.

Highly motivated international students can expect to experience world-class research and experimental opportunities at GSALS.

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2. Departments

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Department of Agricultural and Environmental Biology
Department of Applied Biological Chemistry
Department of Biotechnology
Department of Forest Science
Department of Aquatic Bioscience
Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics
Department of Biological and Environmental Engineering
Department of Biomaterial Sciences
Department of Global Agricultural Sciences
Department of Ecosystem Studies
Department of Animal Resource Sciences
Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences

Department of Agricultural and Environmental Biology

The Department of Agricultural and Environmental Biology deals with field crops, vegetables, fruit trees, flowers, insects, silkworm and plant pathogenic microorganisms, and has made numerous contributions to the sciences related to plant production and environmental conservation. The Department studies issues to create comfortable human environments in the closed ecosystem of the Earth, such as 1) higher crop productivity and quality, and genetic crop improvements, 2) control of plant disease and insect damage, 3) development of sustainable production systems, 4) development of analytical methods to handle the increasing complexity and volume of biological information, and 5) development of technologies to improve the environment by utilizing plants and insects.

◆ Required Japanese Level
Since most lectures in the Master's program are in Japanese, sufficient Japanese language skills are preferred.

Department of Applied Biological Chemistry

The Department of Applied Biological Chemistry carries out studies and education across a wide range of research fields related to biological chemistry. In addition to the basic research methodology of biological chemistry, which consists of biochemistry, organic chemistry and cellular biochemistry, the Department is actively introducing new research methodologies and techniques such as genetic engineering, protein engineering, and cellular engineering. By applying these research methodologies and techniques to plant and animal research fields related to food production, the cellular functions of food-producing organisms, and food immunology, the Department seeks to discover new bioactive compounds and mechanisms supporting the environmental coexistence of human beings and living organisms, with the ultimate aims of advancing biological chemistry research methodology and the enhanced coexistence of human beings and all living things. The Department’s efforts are part of a world network that is developing techniques in bioproduction and biological chemistry.

◆ Required Japanese Level
Since most lectures in the Master's program are in Japanese, sufficient Japanese language skills are preferred. Although the number of lectures in the Doctoral program is small, Japanese is the main language in many laboratories. International students are therefore advised to have sufficient Japanese ability to be able to communicate with others.

Department of Biotechnology

The Department of Biotechnology maintains high educational and research standards across wide-ranging areas of biotechnology. Employing DNA technology, protein engineering, and cell/tissue culturing techniques in combination with recent advances in biomolecular structure determination, genomic information and bioinformatics, the Department elucidates the basic mechanisms of a variety of biological functions. Furthermore, the Department is applying these findings to contribute to the prosperity and happiness of human beings.

◆ Required Japanese Level
Since most lectures in the Master's program are in Japanese, sufficient Japanese language skills are preferred. Although the number of lectures in the Doctoral program is small, Japanese is the main language in many laboratories. International students are therefore advised to have sufficient Japanese ability to be able to communicate with others.

Department of Forest Science

Our comfortable life is dependent on advanced science and technology and generates major environmental load. Environmental problems on a global scale, such as extreme weather and extinction of species, have become apparent. Degradation of the environment is a serious problem as it relates to humankind. Forests are the biggest terrestrial ecosystems on earth, accounting for about 80% of plant production. They play a major role in hydrological and carbon cycles on a global scale and help conserve the global environment. Extensive human activity leading to deforestation and forest degradation is a cause of deterioration of the global environment. Moreover, forests bring various benefits such as wood resources, pure water, and a comfortable environment, and the use of forests is indispensable to our lifestyles and livelihoods. Forest science is a discipline that helps us to sustainably enjoy the benefits of forests by harmonizing forest ecosystems with human activities.

◆ Required Japanese Level
Since most lectures in the Master's program are in Japanese, sufficient Japanese language skills are preferred.

Department of Aquatic Bioscience

The Department of Aquatic Bioscience has the following major aims: 1) find ways to preserve aquatic ecosystems given the global scale of environmental havoc wreaked by humankind, 2) develop self-sustaining fisheries, and 3) investigate ways to contribute to human well-being including food production using knowledge and expertise from other research fields such as biotechnology. The Department’s laboratories, including the Fisheries Laboratory on Lake Hamanako and those in the Atmosphere and Ocean Research Institute, are tackling these problems and have achieved many encouraging results. However, the ocean, which has spawned and nurtured life since the Earth’s formation, is vast and as yet only partially understood. There is a real need to once again observe biological phenomena in the ocean from a fresh viewpoint and with an open mind.

◆ Required Japanese Level
Since most lectures in the Master’s program are in Japanese, sufficient Japanese language skills are preferred.

Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics

How can we meet the global need for foodstuffs and agricultural materials under the growing constraints of natural resources and the environment as well as deficiencies in food distribution, systems, including reconciling production in coexistence with the environment while preventing hunger and ensuring satiation? This challenging issue should be addressed in consideration of fundamental socio-economic elements, e.g., unsustainable development and resource depletion, enlargement of poverty and social inequality, and economic and institutional conflicts among developed and developing countries.

Our department embodies the following two key principles of graduate education and academic research for the new age of agricultural and resource economics.

(1) Global perspective: Our research concerns have become broader and more internationalized beyond the traditional agricultural economics to include intergenerational resource conservation, multifunctionality of agriculture, the global food system, harmonization of the international trade system, and rural development and communities, while encompassing new disciplines of other applied economics such as development economics, environmental economics, and institutional economics.

(2) Local perspective: We pay attention to the reality of rural communities and individuals. Our fieldwork approach, through which we have accumulated academic knowledge and established research networks, is one effective method to achieve our aim of comparing Japanese and overseas agricultural economies.

We continue to offer intensive seminars and classes for graduate students, which deepen their professional insight and enhance their communication abilities. In addition, we intend to strengthen intellectual collaboration with other natural science disciplines. One of the keys to solving the aforementioned complex problems is technological progress owing to developments of bioscience and information technology. As a department of the Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, we have an excellent opportunity and favorable position from which to engage in academic dialogue and scientific discussion for the future.

◆ Required Japanese Level
Almost all lectures are in Japanese and therefore sufficient Japanese language skills are preferred. However, some lectures, seminars and guidance are given in English. Master's and Doctoral theses can be written in English.

Department of Biological and Environmental Engineering

The Department of Biological and Environmental Engineering (BEE) deals with the creation and preparation of favorable environments in rural areas and production control of living things. Technologies in this field are essential for appropriate management of natural and biological resources sustaining human beings on the Earth. The Department consists of the six branches of Rural Environmental Engineering (REE), Biological Systems Engineering (BSE), Biological and Environmental Information Engineering (BEIE), Ecological Safety Studies (ESS), Sustainable Acro-ecosystem Engineering (SAE), and Radio Environmental Technology (RET). REE seeks advances in modern technologies associated with the engineering of land resources, water resources, soil conditions, plants, and air resources. It aims to encourage efficient food production and to conserve the Earth’s environment, especially in rural areas, by harmonizing production with natural ecological systems. BSE aims to develop advanced techniques and research in bioengineering, biological process control, controlled environment plant production, biosensing and robotics, bioenergy production, and post-harvest technology by making greater use of biological functions. BEIE applies the latest information technology to contribute to the harmonious coexistence of living organisms and the environment as well as optimized food production. It also encompasses the effects of changes in the conditions of both the geosphere and food materials. ESS is an associated branch of the Department of BEE in the National Institute for Agro-Environmental Sciences (NIAES), NARO, which is located in the science hub of Tsukuba City. NIAES is the leading institute on environmental sciences in agriculture. ESS conducts interdisciplinary studies on atmosphere and soil environments, the material cycle in agro-ecosystems, and ecological statistics as the basis for such studies. The SAE cooperative course is in the Institute for Sustainable Agro-ecosystem Services (ISAS) at the Nishitokyo Campus. SAE conducts research on sustainable and effective use of ecosystem services. The RET cooperative course is in the Isotope Facility for Agricultural Education and Research. RET conducts research on agricultural rehabilitation in areas polluted by radioactive materials.

◆ Required Japanese Level
Since most lectures in the Master's program are in Japanese, sufficient Japanese language skills are preferred. For the Doctoral program, Japanese language competency is not specifically required.

Department of Biomaterial Sciences

We consume various kinds of raw materials to better our quality of life. As many of these materials are currently produced from fossil resources, the environmental impact of their excessive consumption is cause for concern. Development and introduction of biomaterials more in harmony with the environment is therefore desirable to facilitate replacement of fossil resources. Wood, the most important biomaterial, is both renewable and clean. Promoting its beneficial utilization will help to preserve the environment and is essential for the continued existence of human beings far into the future. To constructively promote biomaterial utilization, we must strive for efficient and complete wood usage and the application of knowledge and research methods based on material sciences to biomaterials other than wood. The Department is advancing science and technology towards this goal.

◆ Required Japanese Level
Some fields require ability to understand a certain amount of Japanese since courses in the Master's program are in Japanese. There are other fields where students can earn credits by taking courses in English only.
In the Doctoral program, communicating with faculty members and other graduate students for research activities and seminars can be done solely in English.

Department of Global Agricultural Sciences

The Department of Global Agricultural Sciences (GAS) is committed to serving global society through education and research on sustainable ecosystem services such as foods, fibers, and other bioresources. GAS programs are issue-oriented rather than technology-oriented and are based on a strong combination of expertise across disciplinary and national boundaries. The associated programs offered by professors from institutions outside the university give further breadth to GAS education and research.

Students are advised to join overseas training courses organized by GAS in collaboration with universities and institutes in the country. Students in the Master’s program are also encouraged to take minors in another department to strengthen their expertise in the pertinent discipline. Students will thus become well prepared to navigate a globalizing and ever-changing world.

In October 2010, the Department launched "IPADS" (The International Program in Agricultural Development Studies) that imparts education and research completely in English.

◆ Required Japanese Level
Master's program: since all the lectures and seminars in IPADS are given in English, no Japanese competency is required. However, basic conversational Japanese is preferred. Lectures and seminars in other programs are all in Japanese. Sufficient Japanese skills are preferred to take such lectures or seminars.
Doctoral program: since research and seminar is the main part of the curriculum, no Japanese ability is required. Nonetheless, basic conversational Japanese is preferred.

Department of Ecosystem Studies

The Department of Ecosystem Studies aims to develop sustainable global management schemes that value ecosystem mechanisms and allow human society and nature to exist in harmony. An important feature of the Department is a focus on fieldwork, which is conducted in different ecosystems from forests to coastal environments. Based on an understanding of the mechanisms and existing problems of focal ecosystems, the Department aims to both integrate agricultural and life- science-related academic achievements and develop related principles and techniques while educating skilled professionals. The Department has two main divisions, Biological Conservation and Ecosystem Management, and the two associated divisions of Bioresources Management and Bioresources and Eco-Environmental Studies. The Bioresources Management associated division cooperates with the former two divisions in research and education and is composed of six facilities within the Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences.

◆ Required Japanese Level
Although some lectures in the Master's program are in English, most lectures are given in Japanese. Therefore, sufficient Japanese language skills are preferred.

Department of Animal Resource Sciences

The primary aim of our research and education at the Department of Animal Resource Sciences is to maximize the utility of various functions of animals, mainly mammals, by revealing mechanisms underlying diverse and complex life phenomena. To this end, the Department is working to elucidate life phenomena from a variety of perspectives, ranging from molecular biology to ethology. It also aims to improve the productive capability of animals and seeks effective ways to preserve valuable genetic resources by applying state-of- the-art biotechnologies that enable elicitation of the potentiality of animals or animal cells. At the same time, the Department has always placed high priority on fostering the potentials of its students. Graduates from the Department occupy important positions not only in the field of animal resource sciences but also other fields including medical and pharmacological sciences.

◆ Required Japanese Level
Since many lectures in the Master's program are in Japanese, sufficient Japanese language skills are required.

Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences

Veterinary medicine encompasses a broad area of the life sciences, taking in not only animal medicine but also the biology of mammals and higher vertebrates. In the Department of Veterinary Medicinal Sciences, highly advanced research is being carried out at molecular, cellular and in vivo levels in order to fully understand the vital processes of normal and diseased animals. Veterinary medicine encompasses two aspects of science: basic science to understand the mechanisms underlying biological phenomena, and applied science to satisfy social demands for the maintenance and improvement of human well-being and the productivity of domestic animals. The department collaborates with the Veterinary Medical Center located on the Yayoi Campus. The Center is equipped with the latest advanced medical instruments and plays an important role as an advanced veterinary hospital in the area.

◆ Required Japanese Level
Since many lectures and seminars in the department are in Japanese, sufficient Japanese language skills are preferred.