Frequently Asked Questions

Education / Research / Education and Support

Q

Are there any joint seminars with other laboratories?

A

In the Toyonaka area, a "Biology Seminar" is held once a month, where laboratories in Toyonaka take turns presenting their research. The Institute for Protein Research also holds a "Protein Research Seminar" about once a month. These seminars are free to attend.

Q

If I belong to a laboratory in Suita Campus, do I have to go to Toyonaka Campus?

A

In the Master's course, there are one or two days per week when classes are concentrated. When classes are held in Toyonaka, graduate students affiliated with the program will also go to the Toyonaka campus.

Q

Do most of the laboratories in the Department of Biological Sciences use Spring-8?

A

It is mainly used by laboratories involved in structural biology. The Institute for Protein Research also has a dedicated beamline.

Q

Can I do what I want to do with my research topic?

A

The method of determining the theme varies from laboratory to laboratory, so please contact each laboratory.

Q

We have English classes, but I'm actually not very good at English. Will I be able to keep up?

A

In our research lives, we read and study papers written in English on a daily basis. Even if you are not very good at it, you will get used to it as you are exposed to it in your daily research life, and you will often be able to manage to do it.

Q

I am interested in teaching English for science. I am worried about whether I will be able to do well in English even if I am not good at speaking and hearing.

A

Scientific English is not an everyday conversation, but an education to develop the English skills required of scientists. Students learn how to express themselves in scientific papers and how to read and write in English. However, in order to be able to communicate freely with foreign researchers, personal, conversation-oriented daily training is also necessary.

Q

When teaching scientific English, English ability differs from individual to individual. Will even those who are not proficient be able to handle it?

A

The small number of students in the Intensive Scientific English program allows for personalized and attentive attention to each individual's pace. In addition, our instructors are native English speakers but bilingual, so you can ask questions and have conversations in Japanese.

Q

I am a senior physics major. What are some areas of biology where I can make better use of my knowledge of physics?

A

Knowledge of physics will be especially useful in the field of "biophysics. If biology is considered at the four levels of "individual," "cell," "supramolecule/organelle," and "functional protein molecule," then a laboratory that focuses on functional protein molecules may be a good choice. However, it may also be a good idea to venture into a field that has not been approached by physics at all and conduct research from an original point of view.

Q

Pathways into the biological field include 1. the Department of Biology, 2. the Graduate School of Functional Biosciences, and 3. the Laboratory of Biophysics in the Department of Physics. I am considering these three options. What are the differences in biology that I can study in these three?

A

Rather than capturing the differences among majors, it would be appropriate to consider the unique characteristics of each laboratory.

Q

What exactly does the cooperative course do? I would like to know about your involvement with the Chemistry major.

A

The number of graduate students who can be assigned to each cooperating course differs, but they are educated in the same way as the core course.

Q

I am from a medical school and have done very little physics and chemistry, can I keep up with the research?

A

There are many classes in the first year of the master's program, where you can acquire basic knowledge. In physics and chemistry, depending on the field, it is advisable to work on improving the required knowledge and methodologies by consulting with your supervisor.

Q

Is it tough if I am from another field of engineering?

A

Regardless of where you come from, if you pass the entrance exam, you will do well inside the school. It is a good idea to look at past entrance examinations, study your strengths, and prepare for the examinations.

Q

I am in the Chemistry Department of the Faculty of Science, but I am concerned because I did not take any biology classes in high school. Is there any follow-up education for students who come from other departments after admission?

A

Although we do not offer special education for students from other departments, it is recommended to study "Essential Cell Biology" and "Vaught Biochemistry" for the entrance exam. The following is a list of the most important issues that will be discussed in the next section.

Q

It says that the biology department is looking for a broad pool of talent, but is it possible that someone who has never studied biology would have difficulty getting credit for graduate biology classes? I am concerned about my ability to secure the required number of credits.

A

Depending on the person, in the first year of the master's program, there are about 6 hours a week of classes to learn the basics. There is also a system in which students can earn credits by participating in seminars. It is unlikely that the department from which you graduated will have any influence on the credits you receive.

Q

How many hours a week will the classes be?

A

There are about 4-6 lecture periods per week in M1. Various seminars are also held and there are many opportunities to gain knowledge.

Q

I have a chemistry background, are there any lectures on biology?

A

There are about 4-6 lecture periods per week in M1. Various seminars are also held and there are many opportunities to gain knowledge.

Q

What kind of lectures can I take in the first semester of the program?

A

The course includes "English for Science," "Basic Biological Information Science," and "Advanced Biological Sciences. The "Advanced Biological Sciences" courses are offered from I to XIV over two years, with a quarter of the course offered in the first semester of the first year.

Q

Can I balance my research (experiments)? What is the ratio between teaching and research time?

A

Many students earn almost all of their course credits during the first year of their master's degree. First-year master's students have one day a week when they take classes in the afternoon. The rest of the time, many of them experiment every day.

Q

Is there any difference in the educational program between those who wish to find a job and those who are going on to the doctoral program?

A

No difference.

Q

In terms of technology to become a researcher, I know that the need for technology will differ from lab to lab, but can you teach me the minimum technology that I will need in the future?

A

These are doctoral programs, but there are workshops aimed at mastering basic techniques. Some are camp-style and quite intensive.

Q

What are the benefits to students of having a small group?

A

The advantage of small class sizes is that students are encouraged to learn independently and actively. This will lead to the development of human resources who can actively participate in society and who are capable of motivated, critical, and analytical thinking in the future.

Q

What is the difference between a PD (postdoctoral fellow) and an assistant?

A

Lectures are taught by lecturers and above (PDs do not teach lectures). In addition, there is a difference in employment status between PDs and assistants.

Q

How much do TAs and RAs get paid? How much time is allocated to TAs and RAs?

A

Both TA and RA are paid 1,200 to 1,400 yen/hour. The number of hours worked will vary on an individual basis.

Q

Are TA and RA programs available to all applicants? What are the recruitment criteria?

A

There is a budget limit for TAs and RAs, but no maximum number of students; RAs are hired based on a comprehensive evaluation of not only their grades but also their attitude toward research; RAs are hired by the majority of students in the doctoral course, but may also be hired by JSPS DC, KAKENHI (30 hours per week), etc. in addition to RAs.

Q

Can TA be performed in any laboratory?

A

If there are openings, it is possible.

Q

How many students use the TA program?

A

The majority of students are involved in the master's program.

Q

How much is the annual tuition?

A

Approximately 500,000 yen.

Q

Are there any tuition waiver programs?

A

There is a system in place, but it has somewhat strict conditions.

Q

About scholarships (e.g., obtained through entrance exam scores)?

A

The results of the entrance exam are relevant.