Students are required to complete a minimum of 124 credits to graduate. Credits are split into foundational courses, liberal arts and languages, major subjects, and elective credits. Students are required to complete a minimum number of credits in each section in order to graduate.
Lectures
Lectures form the basis for undergraduate courses. These allow students to develop their knowledge and understanding of the field by taking instruction from leading scientists in their fields. One credit is the equivalent of ten 75-minute lectures, with 2-hours of self-study for every hour of class time. Most lecture courses are 1 or 2 credits.
Assessment is normally by a mix of in-class reports and a final exam. However, in some cases, instructors set an assignment or other work to be completed by students.
Practical Classes
Practical classes (lab and field classes) allow students to develop a hands-on understanding of the subject and practice the skills required to become a functional scientist. Lab courses are nominally rated at ten 3-hour sessions per credit. Field courses at Shimoda marine research center and Sugadaira montane research center are intensive and run during C sessions or holidays.
Generally, students will be evaluated on the basis of a lab or field report completed during the course.
Final Year Project
Students are required to complete a research project under the direction of a faculty member during the final year of their degree. Projects last a full year, and students are expected to work on it full-time. At the end of the project, students present their results to their peers in a departmental seminar. Students have access to well-equipped labs, and are advised by qualified, experienced researchers.
Students are evaluated on the basis of their participation and effort during the research and their final presentation.
Structure and duration
Our degree starts in September, and students are expected to complete approximately 110 credits in six taught semesters, before completing a full-year research project in their fourth year.
Each semester is 15 weeks long, and split into three 5-week sections: A, B, and C. Generally, lectures run in A and B, with intensive practical classes in section C.