StudyQA — PhD: Medical Science

Description Contents Requirements Funding More

The Medical Science program at Nagoya University offers a comprehensive and rigorous curriculum designed to prepare students for careers in healthcare, medical research, and related fields. This program provides a solid foundation in the fundamentals of human biology, physiology, pathology, pharmacology, and medical ethics, equipping students with the knowledge and skills necessary to understand the complex mechanisms underlying health and disease. Students are engaged in both theoretical coursework and practical training, including laboratory experiments, clinical observations, and internships, to develop critical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and hands-on competence. The program emphasizes multidisciplinary approaches, encouraging students to integrate insights from various scientific disciplines to address contemporary medical challenges. Through close collaboration with faculty and participation in cutting-edge research projects, students gain exposure to innovative medical technologies and advances in medical science. The curriculum is designed to foster a global perspective, promoting cultural diversity and international collaboration. Graduates of the Medical Science program are well-prepared for further specialization in medical fields, careers in medical research, healthcare policy, and education, or pursuit of advanced degrees. The program's highly skilled faculty, state-of-the-art facilities, and a supportive academic environment make Nagoya University an ideal place for aspiring medical professionals to develop their expertise and contribute to advancements in health and medicine worldwide. With a focus on both scientific excellence and ethical responsibility, the program aims to cultivate highly competent, compassionate, and innovative individuals dedicated to improving human health and well-being.

There are following four programs of doctoral course; Health and Community Medicine, Cell Information Medicine, Integrated Molecular Medicine, and Function Construction Medicine.

Tokuron(Special Lecture)

We annually invite more than 150 leading scientists from Japan or worldwide, and host special lectures on medical sciences, abbreviated as Tokurons in Japanese. The lecturers present the cutting-edge research achievements covering a wide range of research topics. Most graduate students will find the Tokurons stimulating, and may come across a novel research idea. In addition, the lecturer possibly becomes a future mentor or an advisor of the attendee. In this way, the Tokurons potentially serve as a special platform for the research exchange. Most lectures are unfortunately given in Japanese, which provokes a language barrier for foreign students. Most lecturers, however, are able to communicate in English. It is stipulated that graduate students should attend more than 10 Tokurons before graduation. We encourage all the graduate students to expand their research knowledge by attending as many Tourons as possible and by enthusiastically participating in the question and answer sessions.

(1) Requirements to earn doctorate

To examine a doctoral dissertation, the medical special committee of the graduate school committee will examine graduates of doctor's course and doctors approved by thesis respectively, for dissertation submitted by those who satisfy the required research career criteria, and confer doctorates on those who have passed the examination successfully.
The requirements for a graduate of doctor's course application: those who registered for more than four years on a doctoral course at our graduate school and has acquired 30 units; and completed a preliminary examination at the graduate school meeting for reading research papers, a dissertation published in English journals with referee practice (English dissertation of primary work) or paper being published.
Requirements for application for paper doctor: Those who satisfy the research career requirements as defined based on their final educational background, who passed the foreign language examination, a main dissertation published in English journals with referee practice (English dissertation of primary work) or paper being published, and has more than one other paper.
Requirements for application of doctoral thesis by recommendation of professor of our university: Those who has passed foreign language examination set by our graduate school regardless of academic and research background, and has a main dissertation published in English journals with referee practice (English dissertation of primary works) or more than five theses being planned for publication, and more than five other English theses. The point of this requirement is that it is intended to open the door to excellent researchers from outside academe who do not have a sufficiently academic career.

(2) Methods of examination

Candidates submit and present the dissertation to the medical special committee of the graduate school committee. When the candidates pass the examination of their dissertation and oral examination made by three commissioners, then the medical special committee of the graduate school committee judge acceptance or rejection of candidates.

(3) Short-term completion (completion in the middle of 3rd year or 4th year)

Requirement for application: Those who registered at the doctoral course of our graduate school for more than three years and achieved excellent research results and completed more than 30 units, and recommended by the advising professor and passed the short-term completion examination, and also passed research papers preliminary examination committee at the graduate school meeting for reading research papers, can apply for examination of graduates of doctor's course. The main dissertation shall be one published in English journals with referee practice (English dissertation of primary work) or paper publication of which is being planned, and the quality of the paper shall be high in academic value. Publication in major English journals as main papers, in principle, shall be more than two papers. However, in the case of especially high-level paper, it will be treated exceptionally. "Especially high-level paper" means those published in any of journals stipulated by the medical special committee of the graduate school committee. The system is intended to allow short-term graduation of students with excellent performance, to support their jump to the next step, such as studying abroad or becoming a teacher.

TOEFL: minimum score of 80 iBT; 550 PBT
IELTS: minimum band score of 6
Application fee: JPY 5,000
Payment of the registration fee (JPY 282,000)
Application Form
Application Form 2 and Curriculum Vitae
Statement of Reasons for Application
Certificate of (prospective) Graduation/Completion
Academic Transcript
Photograph
Two (2) Letters of Reference/Evaluation
Summary of Master's Thesis
List of Publications (with up to three reprints/offprints of major publications)
Documents Showing Other Strengths
Document Validating Your Nationality and Residence Status