International Graduate Program for Advanced Science, Tohoku University, Japan

International Graduate Program Advanced Science 2012
GRADUATE SCHOOL SCIENCE, Tohoku University

Tohoku University was founded in 1907 and is one of Japan's oldest university. School of Science began with the basic history of the University, and Graduate School of Science starting later in 1953. Graduate School of Science consists of six departments, including Mathematics, Physics, Astronomy, Geophysics, Chemistry, and Earth Sciences. The department covers the full spectrum of natural science foundation. A number of research laboratories, including earthquakes, planetary science, research giant molecule, belongs to the School of Science. In addition, having a close relationship with several research institutions that are very advanced in the Tohoku University, Research Institute of Materials and Research Center for Neutrino Science. According to Thomson Reuters ESI (Essential Science Indicators) 2011 ranking of quotations, Physics at Tohoku University is ranked second in Japan and the tenth in the world, for example.

IGPAS is a 5-year graduate program combines 2-year master's program and a 3-year doctoral program. Each student is affiliated with one of six departments: Mathematics, Physics, Astronomy, Geophysics, Chemistry, and Earth Sciences. Each department determines its own curriculum and course requirements. Availability of classes varies depending on the semester and / or departments. Students can consult with their superiors about their research plans every semester before registration.

Master's program consists of a series of lectures, seminars and thesis research. To complete the program and will be awarded a Master of Science degree, students must meet the following requirements under the supervision of an academic adviser: (i) 2 years of enrollment, (ii) completion of 30 or more academic credits, including at least two credits of interdisciplinary study-grade and 16 credits of seminars and research. In addition, it is necessary to (iii) submit a master's thesis in English and (iv) review and pass the final exam. In the case for (i), however, students who receive approval from their supervisor and the department can complete the program in less time than the time specified time if approved.

Doctoral programs focus more on research than the master's program does. To complete the program and will be awarded a Doctorate of Science degree, students must meet the following requirements under the supervision of an academic adviser: (i) 3 years of registration, (ii) completion of 20 or more academic credits, including 16 credits of seminars and research. In addition, it is necessary to (iii) submit a doctoral thesis in English, and (iv) review and pass the final exam. In the case for (i), however, students who receive approval from their supervisor and the department can complete the program in less time than the time specified time if approved.

REQUIREMENTS FOR IGPAS
Applicants for IGPAS must meet ONE of the following conditions. Those who do not qualify (i) should contact the Office of Admission IGPAS by November 14, 2011 to confirm if they are eligible to register under the conditions (ii) or (iii). Some of them may be required to take the initial screening prior to application

Master's Program
(I) Those who have graduated or will graduate from a university [1] on September 30, 2012.
(Ii) Those who have completed, or are expected to complete, a total of 15 years of school education [2] on 30 September 2012 and has been recognized by the Graduate School of Science to have good performance in the classroom related to the field of study.
(Iii) Those who have attained the age of 22 years on 30 September 2012 and has been recognized by the Graduate School of Science, through the examination of individual qualifications, scholastic ability equivalent or superior to those who have graduated from university.

Doctoral Program
(I) Those who have obtained, or will get, a master's degree on September 30, 2012.
(Ii) Those who have been involved in research activities for at least 2 years in educational institutions or research after graduating from the university [1] and has been recognized by the Graduate School of Science based on their research performance to have the scholastic ability equivalent or superior to those who have obtained master's degree.
(Iii) Those who have attained the age of 24 years on 30 September 2012 and has been recognized by the Graduate School of Science through a qualifying examination of individuals to have scholastic ability equivalent or superior to those who have earned a master's degree.

Footnotes
[1] The term "graduate of a university" means a total of 16-year education program, which consists of 12 years of school education and 4 - year degree (bachelor's) program.
such as education programs in Japan:
Basic (elementary) schools -------- 6 years
Junior high (secondary) school ------- 3 years
Senior high (higher secondary) school ---- 3 years
University (undergraduate) -------- 4 years
[2] The term "complete a total of15-year education program" means the completion of a 3-year degree program (undergraduate), or completing the 3rd year of an undergraduate program, in addition to 12 years of school education.

COSTS AND EXPENSES
As of 2011, the registration fee is 30,000 JPY, entrance fee is ¥ 282,000, and the tuition fee is EUR 267 900 per semester ($ 535,800 per year). Students can apply for admission and / or tuition waivers, but the competition is very tight for waivers.

Overall cost of living in Sendai, including rent, utilities, food, transportation, etc., could range from 80,000 to ¥ 150,000 depending on conditions. For visa applications, incoming students may need financial support or have sufficient savings to cover expenses incurred during your stay in Japan.

FINANCIAL SUPPORT
Master Program: MEXT scholarship for 8 students IGPAS is one of the educational programs selected by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT or Monbukagakusho) to be assigned a priority position for the Japanese government scholarships, or fellowships MEXT, by the University Recommendation. MEXT grant qualified students 5 years of financial support: financial support for two-year master's program followed by three years of financial support for doctoral programs, as shown below (per 2011).
(A) Exemption from application fees, entrance and college.
(B) PP airfare between the nearest international airport in the country of nationality and Japanese students.
-To come to Japan to enter
-Go back to home after completing the program
(Based on the request if it will return to the country of origin)
(C) Monthly stipend of 154,000 JPY as a master student and ¥ 155,000 as a doctoral student.

Applicants must meet ALL the MEXT scholarship the following conditions in addition to eligibility requirements for IGPAS. see 2.ELIGIBILITY FOR IGPAS
(I) Those who will come to Japan from foreign countries who are new to enter IGPAS.
(Ii) Those born on or after April 2, 1977.
(Iii) Those who intend to complete the master's and doctoral programs in the five years of entry.
(Iv) Those who meet the application requirements designated by MEXT.
* Application Guidelines for the MEXT scholarship by the University of Recommendation will not be available until the end of October, 2011. In the meantime, please see 2.Qualifications (1) - (9) of the guidelines the latest applications for MEXT Scholarship by Embassy Recommendation for 2012. http://www.mext.go.jp/a_menu/koutou/ryugaku/boshu/1304055.htm
(V) Those with grade point averages higher than the criteria designated by MEXT.

Doctoral Program
No government or institution IGPAS scholarships are available through 2012.

APPLICATION AND SELECTION
Step 1: Find a potential supervisors among the faculty members in your area of ​​interest. Applications will not be accepted without the approval of the faculty member as a supervisor candidate. Supervisors must associate professor, professor, or lecturer (senior assistant professor), affiliated with or have eligibility to receive students from the Graduate School of Science, Tohoku University. To search for faculty members, see the following:
- Graduate School of Science, Tohoku University in 2008 (latest brochure) http://www.sci.tohoku.ac.jp/docs/world-wide/e_pamph2008.pdf [1.43MB]
- Department website http://www.sci.tohoku.ac.jp/english/organization/index.html
- Academic Research Staff at Tohoku University http://db.tohoku.ac.jp/whois/TunvTopE.html

Step 2: Contact faculty members directly via email for their approval. To contact a faculty member, it is recommended to:
- Collecting information about members of the faculty and their areas of research first to see their publications, research papers, and personal websites.
- Including "IGPAS 2012" in the email subject line.
- Provide your academic background as much as possible.

Step 3: Prepare the necessary documents for the application. see 6. APPLICATION DOCUMENTS

Step 4: Submit application to the Admissions Office IGPAS.

All documents must be attached together, sent via air mail, and received by IGPAS Admissions Office by November 30, 2011 JST.

Selection
Applications will be forwarded to the committee examine each department. Examiner will tell you about the method and schedule of inspection via email in late December, 2011.

Of those who have applied for the MEXT scholarship and graduated IGPAS screening for master's programs, IGPAS Committee will select and recommend candidates to MEXT 8. Results IGPAS and entered into nomination for the MEXT scholarship will be announced between February 1, and 15 2012.

IGPAS Admissions Office
Graduate School of Science, Tohoku University
6-3 Aramaki-Aza-Aoba, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8578 JAPAN
Tel: +81-22-795-5829
Fax: +81-22-795-6345
E-mail: direct@mail.sci.tohoku.ac.jp

http://www.sci.tohoku.ac.jp/english/igpas/

For more information, please visit the official site: www.sci.tohoku.ac.jp