Based on the three policies that Hiroshima University Graduate Schools established for their Master’s courses, the three policies of the Master’s Course of the Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life will be defined as follows below.

The Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life aims to foster human resources equipped with deep understanding and expertise, from the basics to application, in the areas of study related to biology and life sciences, and capable of creating “science that can guide sustainable development” based on the broad and deep general education acquired and by flexibly working in close collaboration with other fields of study. Moreover, we are dedicated to helping students develop applied and practical skills required to solve real-life problems by offering education to enhance their global perspective and awareness of social implementation.

The Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life will confer an applicable degree – Master of Science, Master of Engineering, Master of Agriculture or Master of Philosophy – on those who have acquired the following abilities, earned the required number of credits, and passed the screening of their master’s thesis and the final examination or Qualifying Examination conducted by the Graduate School.

1. A student must have acquired research skills and expertise in basic biology, mathematical science, molecular science, biofunctional science, environmental science, bioresource science, biological production science, food science, biotechnology, medical science and other related fields, as well as in integrated fields.
2. A student must have acquired a high degree of specialist knowledge in the above-mentioned areas of study and an appropriate understanding of different disciplines, from the basics to applications; applied skills and practical expertise required to integrate and link different fields; and the ability to identify challenges.
3. A student must have acquired a rich and broad general knowledge and have strong eagerness to create “science that can guide sustainable development.”
4. A student must have an appropriate understanding of scientific theories and research ethics, information dissemination capabilities, and international and interdisciplinary communication skills; he/she can be expected to take full advantage of his/her specialized knowledge and interdisciplinary capabilities and play an active role in Japan and abroad as a researcher, highly specialized professional, or educator equipped with a high level of awareness of how to link academic disciplines with practical expertise necessary in the real world.

The Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life designs and implements curriculums under the policy below to ensure that students can achieve the goals stated in its Diploma Policy.

1. Common courses for the Graduate School will be established to help students acquire a deep and broad education, increase their eagerness to create “science that can guide sustainable development”, and develop an integrative capability that is essential to pursue research in the areas of study related to biology and life sciences.
2. Specialized courses for each degree-granting program will be established to develop students’ specialist knowledge and capabilities required to complete the program.
3. Students will receive multiple kinds of research guidance by one main supervisor and two or more sub-supervisors, at least one of whom must be from a different specialized area as that of the main supervisor. Faculty members from other graduate schools of Hiroshima University or other universities may serve as sub-supervisors.
4. Students will promote their understanding of different areas of study and interdisciplinary knowledge by taking other degree-granting courses or integrated courses. Students will also be allowed to take courses provided by other graduate schools of Hiroshima University or other universities.
5. Students will gain skills to make presentations at international academic conferences, thereby developing international communication ability.
6. An interdisciplinary master thesis interim presentation system will be established to help students apply their information dissemination capabilities to other fields and enhance their understanding of other fields.

In the curriculum described above, teaching and learning will be implemented by utilizing active learning and online classes, depending on the delivery methods of each program, such as lectures and seminars. In regards to grading, the standards are clearly outlined in the syllabus, and strict grading is conducted. Thesis defenses will be conducted in accordance with the standards established by each graduate school.

The Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life, based on its Diploma Policy and Curriculum Policy, expects to admit master’s students as described below.

Students who:

1. Have strong eagerness to learn, who wish to acquire deep expertise and understanding in a wide range of fields from the basics to applications that include medical treatment in the areas of study related to biology and life sciences, and who have basic academic knowledge for that purpose;
2. Wish to acquire interdisciplinary problem-searching and problem-solving abilities, which can integrate and link different fields, along with broad general education, without being constrained by conventional frameworks of research fields, and to create “science that can guide sustainable development”; and
3. Are aware of both academic fields and the real world, and who wish to acquire international and interdisciplinary communication skills as well as practical capabilities in society.

In order to admit such individuals, this Graduate School selects applicants through a multifaceted and comprehensive evaluation process based on its own Diploma Policy and Curriculum Policy, using interviews, academic tests, and external examinations.