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For Doctoral Course Students

This page provides important information on classes, thesis application, school life, etc. for students of the Master’s Course of the Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences. Please check the latest information before registering for classes or submitting applications.

Important notices on academic matters are posted here for graduate students of the doctoral course.

The Research Seminar 2024 will be offered online (MS Teams). Please note that it is not possible to make presentations during a leave of absence from the university. Be sure to complete a procedure for returning to the university in the month of your presentation scheduled. However, it is acceptable to apply to make a presentation even when you are on a leave of absence from the university. For more information on “Registration for Presentation” and “Registration of Candidate Commentators,” please refer to Class Information below.

Degrees are conferred twice a year, in September and March. Degree applications (=doctoral dissertation application) are offered four times a year. Please refer to the Doctoral Dissertation Application webpage below for the schedule and other information. In addition, please note that the application procedure and schedule for review differ from research fields (Medicine, Dentistry, or Pharmaceutical Sciences).

The orientation for the doctoral course will be held via online. (Moodle) 
Okadai ID and password are required.

Moodle URL: https://moodle.el.okayama-u.ac.jp/

 Classes are being offered in person, online, and in a hybrid mode of in-person and online with measures against COVID-19 taken in order to prevent the spread of the pandemic. Before taking an online lecture, be sure to sign the confidentiality Pledge and submit the original of the pledge. Once you submit the pledge after your enrollment, it will be valid until your graduation. Online lectures are offered via Moodle, POSGRA, Microsoft Teams, Microsoft Stream, Zoom, etc. To attend a lecture via a tool other than Zoom, you need your Okayama University ID (Okadai ID) and password to log in on those tools. If you have any questions about the Okadai ID or related matters, please check the information indicated in the above Gate for Each System to contact the Center for Information Technology and Management.

  • Pledge
    To protect the rights of intellectual property, personal information, etc., only students who have submitted the Pledge in advance will be allowed to take classes. Those who have already submitted the form do not need to resubmit it.
  • Explanatory Materials on Intellectual Property
  • Attending Online Lectures
    Live or on-demand video lectures are offered via tools such as Moodle, MS Teams, Zoom, POSGRA, etc. Please refer to the above “Gate to Each System” webpage to find how to connect to those tools.

The content varies depending on the year of enrollment. Be sure to check the version for the year of your enrollment.

Click here to search syllabus online
When searching, select “71: Doctoral Course, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences” in the “Faculty, etc.” field.

Do not use an online system for class registration. Instead, please fill out the designated form -Study Planning Sheet- in the month of your enrollment after consulting with your supervisor, and submit it to the office in charge. If you wish to change a registered class, bring your student ID card to the office and complete the necessary procedure there as soon as possible. If you do not register a class expected to be taken in a designated academic year for some reason, the class will be automatically carried over to the following academic year. In this case, no extra procedure is necessary.
The Study Planning Sheet varies according to the degree program you have selected on your enrollment. Please download and use the appropriate from below.

Study Planning Sheet (Medicine)

<Note>
If you cannot provide all your classes in your Class Registration Plan due to limited space, use an Additional Registration Sheet and submit it.

Study Planning Sheet (Pharmaceutical Sciences)

All students excluding those who are on temporary leave from school and studying abroad are supposed to prepare an Annual Plan and Report for Research once a year and submit it to the Academic Affairs Committee through the graduate school office.
The graduate school office will send a request to submit an Annual Plan and Report for Research to students through their departments every May to June. Students are supposed to discuss their annual research plan with supervisors and then fill out the designated form, excluding the field “Research Guidance Plan”. Subsequently, students’ supervisors will fill in their “Research Guidance Plan.” The chief supervisor will thoroughly read through these fields and provide the necessary guidance to the student and other supervisors. The Annual Plan and Report for Research should be submitted to the office after completing all of the above steps.

  • Annual Plan and Report for Research Form [PDF] [Word]

There are two types of lectures: “face-to-face” and “on-demand”. Lectures to be offered on demand will be made available on the e-learning platform POSGRA as they become ready. Note that the schedule is subject to change depending on the future situation, so please check the latest information on the website before taking a lecture.

Due to content update work, the distribution period is from early June to the end of February.

 

 

Introduction to Basic Medical Sciences

  　　・Mouse/Rat practical skill class(September)

          　Application is required to participate.
          　Visit Department of Animal Resources, Advanced Science Research Center Okayama Univ. website.
*This also applies to those to be held on Tuesday, September 19. on Friday, Sptember 22.

   on Wednesday  September  27. on Thusday , September 28           (2023.8.24 update)

 　　・Brainstorming 2023 HP (Under construction)
Application is required to participate. 
             Application Due: Monday, July 31

Introduction to Clinical Medical Sciences

The subjects of Introduction to Clinical Medical Sciences vary depending on the Course for students enrolling in and before AY2022.
If you are a student of the General Course, the Clinical Specialist Course (Dentistry), the Cancer Professional Course (Medicine)*, the Molecular Imaging Science Course, or the Academic General Practitioner (GP) Course, check the schedule above and take the necessary subjects.
* Only if enrolled in and after AY2018

If you are a student of the Clinical Specialist Course (Medicine), the Cancer Professional Course (Medicine)*, or the Cancer Professional Course (Pharmacy), take Introduction to Clinical Medical Sciences (Epidemiology, Medical Statistics, and Practical Course in Clinical Research and Preventive Medicine).
* If enrolled in or before AY2017
* If you are enrolled by AY2019, take Introduction to Clinical Medical Sciences(Epidemiology, Medical Statistics, and Practical Course in Clinical Research and Genome Informatics).
For the schedule, check the online syllabus. 

Introduction to Basic and Clinical Medical Sciences (Pharmaceutical Sciences)

These classes will be held in Tsushima Campus

Special Lectures and Conferences Held on/off Campus Recognized as Lectures of Introduction to Basic/Clinical Medical Sciences

For those who attend a special lecture or conference recognized by the Chair of the Academic Affairs Committee as equivalent to a lecture of Introduction to Basic Medical Sciences / Introduction of Clinical Medical Sciences, their attendance will be counted. If you attend such an event, have the organizer’s seal affixed to your attendance card. Attendance at such events up to five times can be counted toward the necessary number of subjects to be taken for each of Introduction to Basic Medical Sciences and Introduction to Clinical Medical Sciences. Check the latest schedule below.

  • Number of Attendance / Credits

    The necessary number of attendances for Introduction of Basic Medical Sciences / Introduction of Clinical Medical Sciences varies depending on the degree program or course. Please check the following list carefully.

    Students enrolling in and after AY2023
    Degree Program Name Introduction of Basic Medical Sciences
    No. of Attendance (Credits) *1    		 Introduction of Clinical Medical Sciences
    No. of Attendance (Credits) *1    
    Doctoral Degree Program in Medicine
    Comprehensive Cancer Research Training Program / Research Specialist Course
    Borderless Dental Research Training Program
    		 20 lectures or more
    (4 credits)    		 20 lectures or more
    (4 credits)
    Comprehensive Cancer Research Training Program / Physician-Scientist Course 5 lectures or more
    (1 credits)    		 10 lectures or more
    (2 credits)
    Glocal Medical Professional Training Program
    Medical Data Science Innovator Training Program / Big Data Analytics Course
    Medical Data Science Innovator Training Program / Medical AI Application Course
    Doctoral Degree Program in Dentistry
    		 10 lectures or more
    (2 credits)    		 10 lectures or more
    (2 credits)
    Doctoral Degree Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences 15 lectures or more
    (3 credits)    		 15 lectures or more
    (3 credits)
    Students enrolling in and before AY2022
    Course Name Introduction of Basic Medical Sciences
    No. of Attendance (Credits) *1    		 Introduction of Clinical Medical Sciences
    No. of Attendance (Credits) *1        
    General Course
    Molecular Imaging Science Course    		 25 lectures or more
    (5 credits)    		 20 lectures or more
    (4 credits)
    Clinical Specialist Course (Medicine) 15 lectures or more
    (3 credits)

    Take Introduction of Clinical Medical Sciences (Introduction to Medical Epidemiology, Biostatistics,  and Clinical Research & Preventive medicine, which are commonly referred to as the three subjects for Introduction of Clinical Medical Sciences).
    Refer to the note*2.
    Cancer Professional Course (Pharmacy) 25 lectures or more
    (5 credits)
    Cancer Professional Course (Medicine)
    Clinical Specialist Course (Dentistry)    		 10 lectures or more
    (2 credits)    		 10 lectures or more
    (2 credits)
    Academic General Practitioner (GP) Course 20 lectures or more
    (4 credits)    		 20 lectures or more
    (4 credits)
    Clinical Artificial Intelligence (AI) Course 20 lectures or more
    (4 credits)    		 20 lectures or more
    (4 credits)
    • *1: If you attend an on-campus or off-campus research conference, lecture, or another event recognized as equivalent to a subject of Introduction of Basic Medical Sciences / Introduction of Clinical Medical Sciences (including a lecture held at an academic conference), your attendance will be counted for credit accreditation. Attendance at such events up to five times can be counted toward the necessary number of subjects to be taken for each of Introduction of Basic Medical Sciences and Introduction of Clinical Medical Sciences.
    • *2: Introduction of Clinical Medical Sciences (Introduction to Medical Epidemiology, Biostatistics,  and Clinical Research & Preventive medicine) will be held as intensive lectures on Saturdays from April to September. The lecture schedule and syllabi are available on the website. Be sure to check the latest schedule before taking the lectures.

    Attendance Confirmation

    Attendance at Introduction of Basic Medical Sciences / Introduction of Clinical Medical Sciences is counted based on the attendance card submitted. When taking a class in person, bring your attendance card for Introduction of Basic Medical Sciences / Introduction of Clinical Medical Sciences and have the lecturer of the class sign or affix his/her seal on your card to confirm your attendance at the end of the class. In case of online classes, fill in only the box “Count your attendance in current year” on the back side of the attendance card. The period for submitting the card is scheduled by October 31 or February 28 every year.
    When attending an on-campus or off-campus special lecture or other conferences including a lecture held at an academic conference, it will also be counted as attendance up to 5 times. Regardless of whether in-person or online attendance, please have the lecturer’s signature or stamped on the box “Attendance Record for Lectures and Conferences Held as Lectures of Introduction of Medical Sciences” on the back of the attendance card.

    [Notes on Entry]

    • Since each attendance card has been designed to enter all the times you have attended, submit an original copy of the “Attendance Card” to the designated office when the number of required attendance lectures for each program (course) has been reached. Submission by post is acceptable.
    • In case of online classes, submit a Record of E-Learning Class Attendance (PDF), which needs to be downloaded on POSGRA, and the original of your attendance card.
    • Take a copy for yourself before submitting the original.
    • Note in advance that if you misplace your attendance card, your attendance cannot be confirmed.

    [Confirmation of the Attendance Counting Result]
    Please check your attendance card to see how many lectures you have attended.
    After submitting your attendance card, please check your grades in the Academic Affairs System.
    Please refer to the above “Gate to Each System” webpage to find how to connect to those tools.
    If you submitted your attendance card prior to AY2022, please check with the copy of your attendance card that you kept on hand. If you have lost your copy, please bring your student ID card and confirm the counting result at the office in charge. Those who live in a distant place and cannot do so are allowed to confirm the result through their department staff. In case of making an inquiry by e-mail, use your Okadai Gmail, whose account is provided by the university. Also, to verify your identification, scan your student ID card, protect the data with a password, and send an e-mail together with the data.

    Inquires on Lectures

    If you have any inquiries on instructions from a faculty member or on a lecture, use the designated form Work Sheet.

Research Seminar for Doctoral Degree 2024will be held as live online lectures via Microsoft Teams. Please note that may be changed to a face-to-face classes subject to the future situation, please check the latest information on the website before taking a lecture.

In summer and fall, the graduate school offers the Research Seminar for Doctoral Degree, where students are expected to give presentations on their research results. First-year and 2nd-year students of the Doctoral Course are supposed to attend Research Seminars for Doctoral Degree. Please follow the list below to attend the seminars.

Students enrolling in and after AY2023
Degree Program No. of

credits

 Attendance regulations 
All Degree Programs 4 Attend at least five seminars (including one seminar at which you give a presentation).

*At the time of presentation, a “Basic Research Skills Screening” must be conducted and a passing grade must be received.

Students enrolling in and before AY2022
Course No. of

credits

 Attendance regulations 
General Course
Clinical Specialist Course (Medicine)
Molecular Imaging Science Course		 5

Attend at least six seminars (including one seminar at which you give a presentation).
[Medicine]
Give a presentation by the time of completing your course (applying for a degree).
[Dentistry]
Give a presentation in the final academic year in general.
[Pharmacy]
Give a presentation by the time of completing your course (applying for a degree).
Clinical Specialist Course (Dentistry) 6

Attend at least six seminars (including one seminar at which you give a presentation).
* Attend seminars, including the Research Design Workshop to be attended in the 1st or 2nd year.
* Give a presentation in the final academic year in general.
Cancer Professional Course (Pharmacy)
Academic General Practitioner (GP) Course
Clinical Artificial Intelligence (AI) Course		 4

Attend at least four seminars (including one seminar at which you give a presentation).
Cancer Professional Course (Medicine) 5 Attend at least five seminars (including one seminar at which you give a presentation).
* It is desirable to attend seminars every year during the three years, from the 1st year to the 3rd year. If you cannot attend any seminar unavoidably in an academic year, however, attend the necessary number of seminars by the time of completing your course.

* (Dentistry): You need to attend at least two seminars (including one organized by your chief supervisor’s laboratory and the other organized by another laboratory related to your research) per year. Give a presentation (in the final academic year) by the time of completing your course. You need to attend at least 6 seminars.

The Research Seminars for Doctoral Degree 2024 are held as online live lectures via Teams.
English abstracts and English presentations are welcomed.

Presentation Registration and Commentator Candidate Registration

Students are expected to give a presentation in a seminar organized by the field to which your department belongs. For Clinical Pharmaceutical Sciences, Biofunctional Recovery and Reconstruction, and Oral and Maxillofacial Functional Recovery, give a presentation in either 1 or 2. For Pathophysiology and Oncology, give a presentation in 1, 2 or 3.
Students cannot give a presentation while they are on temporary leave from school. Those who are on temporary leave from school must surely return to school by the month of presentation (i.e. July or October). However, students may submit applications during the period of temporary leave from school.
The time allocated to each presenter is a total of 20 minutes: approximately 15 minutes for the presentation and approximately 5 minutes for a Q&A session including comment presentation by a commentator.

Selection of Presenter’s Commentator
Presenters are expected to receive comments from a pre-appointed commentator after giving a presentation on the day of the seminar. After consulting with your supervisor, students who wish to make a presentation are supposed to find a commentator and obtain his/her consent in advance.
Commentator should be an assistant professor or another faculty member with a higher position registered with the Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences or Okayama University Hospital. However, even if the commentator candidate is a faculty member of your department, a faculty member from the same research field of your department, or an assistant professor or another faculty member with a higher position registered with Okayama University Hospital, the candidate cannot serve as a commentator if he/she has the status of a graduate school student. If a faculty member of another graduate school of Okayama University is selected as a commentator, the selection will be deliberated by the Academic Affairs Committee. For more information, refer to the above Introduction for Presentation at Research Seminars.

How to Register a Presentation * Download  a Registration Form (Excel)
Fill out a Registration Form and send an e-mail together with the form to the Graduate School Office by the designated deadline. Once receiving your presentation registration e-mail, the officer will send you a reply mail for confirmation. If there is no reply e-mail even after a few days excluding a weekend, the obon vacation period, and other holidays, please contact the Graduate School Office (086-235-7986/7996) (Ext. 7986, 7987).
If students cannot give a presentation on the designated date for a reason related to your commentator, please indicate so in the e-mail and provide a desired date on the Registration Form. Note that students cannot select a presentation date of their choice for a personal reason.

  • Registration Form* Provide the necessary information in the pink cells.
    * Submit your file after changing its name as follows: [Presentation Date_Student ID Number_Name](e.g. 0726_71501999_Taro Shikada).
What Needs to Be Registered for Presentation
Your presentation date, student ID number, name, department, e-mail address for future contact, presentation title, and commentator candidate’s name
* If you have a request on your presentation time, provide that request on the form and submit it. Note that you cannot change the date/time of your request after the submission deadline.
Submission Deadline
Summer: Friday, May 24, 2024　　　Fall: Friday, August 16
*The deadline is rigid.
Where to Submit
Graduate School Office
kdf7986(a)adm.okayama-u.ac.jp
To prevent junk mail, we have replaced the @ mark with (a) in the e-mail addresses below. For inquiries, please contact us by replacing (a) with the @ mark.                                                                                                                                 

* When sending an e-mail, the subject of the email should be “Research Seminar_Presentation Registration_Student ID No. _Presenter’s Name”.

Abstract Registration
Before giving a presentation, you need to submit an abstract (presentation summary).

<How to Submit Your Abstract>
Please add or change your abstract to the presentation registration format and send it as an attachment to an e-mail to the Graduate School Office by the submission deadline. Once receiving your Abstract Registration e-mail, the officer will send you a reply mail for confirmation. If there is no reply e-mail even after a few days excluding a weekend, the obon-vacation period, and other holidays, please contact the Graduate School Office.
If you have changed the title, please make sure to indicate the revised part.

* Submit your file after changing its name as follows: [Presentation Date_Student ID Number_Name](E.g. 0726_71501999_Taro Shikada).

Number of Characters/Words
Japanese: approximately 400 – 800 characters / English: approximately A4 size 1 page
* English abstracts and English presentations are welcome.
Submission Deadline
Summer: Friday, May 24, 2024　　　Fall: Friday, August 16
*The deadline is regid.
Where to Submit
Graduate School Office
kdf7986(a) adm.okayama-u.ac.jp
To prevent junk mail, we have replaced the @ mark with (a) in the e-mail addresses below. For inquiries, please contact us by replacing (a) with the @ mark.
* When sending an e-mail, the subject of the email should be “Research Seminars_Abstract Registration _Student ID No. _Presenter’s Name”.

* After taking a class, be sure to have the lecturer stamp his/her seal or signature on the card to confirm your attendance.
* Make a copy of your attendance card and keep it as a copy for yourself.

Students enrolling in and after AY2024
  • “Introduction of Basic Medical Sciences” and “Introduction of Clinical Medical Sciences”
    *Please refer to the above “Division Common Subjects / Common Core Subjects – Introduction to Basic / Clinical Medical Sciences, and Special Lectures and Conferences Recognized as Lectures of Introduction to Basic / Clinical Medical Sciences” webpage.
  • Specialized Subjects
  • Academic GP Integrated course of General Medicine
Students enrolling in and before AY2022
  • “Introduction of Basic Medical Sciences” and “Introduction of Clinical Medical Sciences”
    *Please refer to the above “Division Common Subjects / Common Core Subjects – Introduction to Basic / Clinical Medical Sciences, and Special Lectures and Conferences Recognized as Lectures of Introduction to Basic / Clinical Medical Sciences” webpage.
  • Elective Programs
  • Integrated course

Attendance for other subjects
Follow the instructions of the faculty member of the relevant elective Course. Refer to web syllabus for more information.

For more information, please refers to the Agreement on Accreditation for Students of the Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences of Okayama University Who Have Made Presentations at International Academic Conferences .Click here for Credit Accreditation Application.

With the maximum possible score set as 100 points, 60 points or more are deemed “Pass” and 59 and below “Failure.”
Marks are shown below. Depending on the class subject, however, grades might be described as “Complete” or “Failure.”

Grade Score Criteria
A+ 90-100 Fully achieved the goals with extremely excellent results.
A 80-89 Achieved the goals with excellent results.
B 70-79 Achieved the goals with good results.
C 60-69 Almost achieved the goals.
F 0-59 Failed to achieve the goals.

At the Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, your grade is determined based on a comprehensive evaluation of the result of the test to be taken at the end of each class subject, your efforts demonstrated during class, such as your commitment to presentation and discussion in lectures, your report, quiz results, research accomplishments, etc. Based on such a comprehensive evaluation, 60 points or more shall be the criterion for credit accreditation.

The grades for the main courses in your department are registered around the end of February each year. And those for Introduction of Medical Sciences (Basic and Clinical) taken at POSGRA are registered at the end of November and March and one month after the end of lectures for rest of the courses.

Students can check their earned credits by the following ways.

  1. Check the credits earned on the Academic Affairs System.
    Go to the Academic Affairs System  to check your transcript. Click here  for instructions on how to use the system.
    Grades for major subjects of your department are scheduled to be registered around the end of each February. Grades for other subjects are scheduled to be registered around 1 month after the final lecture of those subjects.
    Please note that attendance counts are not available on the Academic Affairs System for the following subjects – “Introduction of Basic Medical Sciences”, “Introduction of Clinical Medical Sciences”, and “Research Seminar”. Please check your attendance card.
    If you have lost a copy of your attendance card after submitting it, follow the ways below to check the attendance counts for those subjects.
  2.  Check the credits earned at the graduate school office.
    1. In case of checking by an applicant, his/her student ID card will be required.
    2. In case of checking by an attorney on behalf of the applicant, the applicant’s student ID card, the attorney’s personal identification, and a Power of Attorney (POA) will be required. The POA will be any format but including the following: I, Applicant’s Name hereby appoint Attorney’s name as attorney for confirming my credits earned and attendance counts. Date and applicant’s signature should also be included.
  3. Check credits earned by e-mail.
    Use your Okadai Gmail account to send a request to the email account of the graduate school office with a photocopy of your student ID card attached. Please kindly note that only a request sent from student’s Okadai Gmail is acceptable.

  1. If you have a question regarding your grade, you can ask the faculty member of the relevant class or the Administrative Office regarding the evaluation method and other details.
  2. If you cannot obtain a convincing answer from the relevant faculty member, etc., you can bring the case to the attention of the Academic Affairs Committee.
  3. In this case, the Academic Affairs Committee shall make the necessary coordination and other efforts.

Be sure to read the following before your dissertation application.

  1. (Important Change) Since AY2021, degrees have been conferred only twice per year: September 25 and March 25. However, dissertation application and review are available four times per year. For more information, refer to the guidelines.
  2. For your degree application, prepare the necessary documents in accordance with the Degree Application Guidelines for the academic year of your application. Applicants are supposed to submit not only the designated forms but also other documents for degree application, so prepare a complete set of the necessary documents.
  3. Confirmation of your application documents before application periods is available as needed. Applicants who wish to have their documents checked in advance should submit the application other than the application periods after checking the documents using the “Checklist”.
  4. In some cases, individual deliberation might be necessary for application eligibility or a dissertation. If there are any questions, contact the Graduate School Office as soon as possible.
  5. No application documents submitted by post are accepted. Applicants who cannot submit their applications in person should submit them through their departments.

  • How to Search from the Website of the Okayama University Libraries
    You can check dissertation abstracts and review result summaries (Kou / Otsu) under the new degree system (after degree conferral as of March 31, 1959).                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

    1. Access the website of the Okayama University Libraries .
    2. Click the banner “Scientific Achievement Repository” at the bottom of the website’s home page.
    3. Click “Keyword Search” at the top of the left menu.
    4. Enter “Thesis AND Keyword” in the search field and click the search button.
      •   The same search result will be obtained even if a space is inserted instead of “AND.”
      •   If you would like to perform a search extensively, click the search button every time you enter a keyword
    5. A search result list will be displayed, so click the title of the thesis that you would like to check.
    6. A detailed screen will be displayed. If you would like to check further details, click the PDF file title of the full-text URL, and the abstract of the thesis will be displayed.
  • How to Search from the National Diet Library Online Search and Request Service
    You can search and browse theses.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                

    1. Access the National Diet Library Online Search and Request Service .
    2. Click the List of Online Services at the center of the screen.
    3. On the next screen, select the online service that you would like to use.
      To provide its online services, the National Diet Library has revised “Handling of Personal Information”. If you are new to the system, be sure to read it.

2.Okayama University Scientific Achievement Repository

A student needs to be registered in the course for at least four years (excluding any period of temporary leave from school), earn at least 30 credits, receive the necessary research guidance, and then pass the courses’ thesis review and final examination.
For the period of the registration in the course, however, a student with excellent research results can complete the course as long as he/she is enrolled for at least three years.
Degree: Doctoral (Medicine)

Introduction to Basic Medical Sciences, Introduction to Clinical Medical Sciences, Research Seminars for Doctoral Degree, Specialized Subjects, etc.
The schedules, schedule changes, the amount of necessary attendance, and other information are posted on the website, so check them as needed to earn the necessary credits.

If you are enrolled in April and complete your course in the standard period of study (4 years), the date of your course completion (the date of your degree conferral) will be March 25.
If your registration period exceeds four years, you can apply for a degree to be conferred either as of September 25 or March 25.
You need to apply for a degree four months before the month of your degree conferral. Since the period of receiving degree applications varies depending on the academic year, confirm with the Degree Application Guidelines for the relevant academic year.
If you are on temporary leave from school, you cannot apply for a degree. In such a case, you need to complete the procedure of returning to school.

The period of your enrolment in the Graduate School shall not exceed 8 years (excluding the period of temporary leave from school). Also note that the total duration of temporary leave from school shall not exceed three years.

<Excerpts> Agreement on the Special Course Term of Less Than Four Years at the Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University

  1. The course term of three years or three and a half years is applicable.
  2. The thesis for degree application shall fulfill the requirements below.
    • The thesis shall be an original article by the applicant with single authorship or co-authorship. If the thesis is co-authored, however, the applicant shall be the first author.
    • The thesis shall have been published in a distinguished English journal. It also shall be complete as a degree thesis in terms of format and contents. The definition of “a distinguished English journal” is, in principle, IF3.0 or more. If the journal is less than IF3.0, a Reason Statement shall be submitted to the Academic Affairs Committee for deliberation.
    • If the thesis is co-authored, at least one chief supervisor or direct supervisor (a faculty member of the graduate school) shall be included in the co-authors.

When a student fulfilling the aforementioned requirements applies for a degree, the student shall submit the following documents and undergo a review for degree application eligibility by the Academic Affairs Committee.

<Documents to Be Submitted>

  1. Main thesis
  2. Statement on the journal where the thesis is published
  3. Resume
  4. Research Achievement List
  5. Letter of recommendation from the chief supervisor

* The period of applying for a degree application eligibility review varies depending on the date of degree conferral and is set as follows. However, the period might be changed depending on the academic year, so be sure to make the necessary confirmation.

Date of Degree Conferral September 25 March 25
Eligibility confirmation application May November
Degree Application June December

The dissertation shall be an original article by the degree applicant. In principle, the dissertation shall be single-authored.
Even if co-authored, however, the dissertation will be accepted as long as it fulfills the following conditions:

  1. The degree applicant shall be the first author, and the number of co-authors shall be commensurate with the dissertation contents, preferably 10 or less. If the number of authors excluding the applicant is 11 or more, a Reason Statement by the applicant’s chief supervisor shall be submitted.
  2. The dissertation shall have been published in an English journal indexed in any of [Current Contents], [EMBASE] and [Pubmed].
  3. A letter of consent from all the co-authors regarding the use of the dissertation for degree application shall be submitted.

A review will be performed by the Degree Review Committee.
The Degree Review Committee comprises three professors or associate professors from divisions excluding the degree applicant’s division. (The applicant’s co-authors are excluded.)

  1. One principal referee
  2. Two referees

Schedule example: Kou, degree conferral as of March 24, 2023

Degree Application December 1, 2023 – December 7, 2023
The members of the Degree Review Committee fixed Early January 2024
The committee members’ schedules checked and arranged Middle January 2024
Review date fixed Around January 29, 2024
Review by the Degree Review Committee January 2024 to February 2024
Degree Review by the Faculty Council Scheduled for early March 2024
Report to the University President Scheduled for middle March 2024
Degree conferral March 25, 2024

In Case Submitting a Paper by Multiple First Authors as a Dissertation for Degree Application  equal_contribution

  • Agreement on Submitting a Paper by Multiple First Authors as a Dissertation for Degree Application
  • Reason Statement / Pledge　　equal_contribution_format

Check the list below showing the period of receiving degree applications, and complete the necessary procedure within the relevant period.

  • Eligibility: Graduate students enrolled for at least four years
    Date of Degree Conferral Period of Receiving Application Documents Scheduled period of Review
    September 25, 2024 June 3 (Monday)  – June 7 (Friday), 2024 August
    March 25, 2025 September 2 (Monday) – September 6 (Friday), 2024 November
    March 25, 2025 November 29 (Friday) – December 5, (Thursday), 2024 February
    September 25, 2025 March 3 (Monday) – March 7 (Friday), 2025 May (Note)

    *　If you have been enrolled since April 2021 without taking temporary leave from school, this means that you fulfill the requirement of the standard period of study (four years), allowing you to apply for degree conferral as of March 25, 2025.

  • Eligibility: Graduate students who would like to complete the course with their enrolment period being three years or three and a half years
    Date of Degree Conferral Period of Receiving Eligibility Confirmation Documents Period of Receiving Application Documents Scheduled period of Review
    September 25, 2024 May 2 (Tuesday) – May 10(Friday), 2024 June 5 (Wednesday) – June 7 (Friday), 2024 August
    March 25, 2025 November 1 (Monday) – November 8 (Friday), 2024 December 4 (Wednesday) – December 5 (Thursday), 2024 February

    *　The period of receiving applications for early completion is set as above in consideration of the schedule of the necessary meeting.
    *　For early completion, not only documents for degree application but also documents for an eligibility confirmation review need to be submitted.

  • Eligibility: Research students, etc.
    Date of Degree Conferral Period of Receiving Eligibility Confirmation Documents Period of Receiving Application Documents Scheduled period of Review
    September 25, 2024 May 2 (Tuesday) – May 12 (Friday), 2024 June 5 (Wednesday) – June 7 (Friday), 2024 August
    March 25, 2025 November 1 (Monday) – November 8 (Friday), 2024 December 4 (Wednesday) – December 5 (Thursday), 2024 February

The schedule for the degree conferral as of September 25, 2024 (review in May). 
Check the schedule each time and check the operation of your PC before your review.

■　学位論文審査日_2024年9月25日付（05月審査）_Dissertation Review Schedule
★In preparation.　/will be announced around late January./

Those who have earned the 30 credits required for completion of the doctoral course are supposed to carefully read the instructions on doctoral dissertation application and submit the application during the application period with the designated application forms.

Instructions on Doctoral Dissertation Application (Guideline)

■Download the Application Guidelines fromhere and check them.

■New materials to be submitted for degree applications accepted after September 2023 have been added. Please download and review them here. Submission is limited to PDF only, not Excel.
*Click here for a sample.
*When submitting, please send the file name as ” Student Number・Name・学位審査委員希望調書” (e.g. 71999999・SHIKATA Taro・学位審査委員希望調書).

Degree Application Forms

Forms Forms to download Entry Example in Japanese and English(PDF)
Word/Excel PDF
Checklist for the Degree Application Documents – Checklist –
Degree Application Form Form (Kou) -1 to Form (Kou)-6* 1

<Note>
1.Japanese only. Please check entry examples on the rightmost row for their English translation for your reference.

2.If you are a Japanese national, provide your name in hiragana in the “furigana” field. If you are not a Japanese national, provide your name in katakana.

Form (Kou) 5 (in English)

 

 Form (Kou) – 1 Form (Kou) – 1 Entry example
Abstract of Thesis Form (Kou) – 2 Form (Kou) – 2 Entry example
List of Publications (1) (2) Form (Kou) – 3 Form (Kou) – 3 Entry example　◆attention
Resume Form (Kou) – 4 Form (Kou) – 4 Entry example
Letter of Consent from Co-Authors Form (Kou) – 5 Form (Kou) – 5 Entry example
Applicant / Contact Information / Completion Requirements, etc. Form (Kou) – 6 Form (Kou) – 6 Entry example　◆attention
Applicants’ Data*2

Form (Kou)-7*2

    
Agreement of Okayama Univ. Scientific Achievement Repository

Form (Kou)-8

    
Degree Examination Committee Member Preference Form

Form -９
Submissions are limited to PDF only, not Excel.

 When submitting, please send the file name as ” Student Number・Name・学位審査委員希望調書” (e.g. 71999999・SHIKATA Taro・学位審査委員希望調書). Form – ９ Entry example
Use the following forms only if necessary.(Available in Japanese only)  
Chief Supervisor’s Statement of Reason Why the Number of Co-Authors Exceeds Ten Reason Statement Form
Applicant’s Notification of Change in the Thesis Title Notfication Form
Applicant’s Notification of Change in His/Her Name Notfication Form
Reason Statement and Pledge related to the Thesis by Multiple First Authors
 Reason Statement / Pledge Form*1
  • *1 The Word forms for Form 1 – From 4 partially contain bookmark and cross reference functions. A reference source is indicated in [purple letters]. If you move the cursor to purple letters without parentheses and press F9, the letters will be replaced with the letters of the reference source. The parts that can be cross-referenced are shown in purple so that they are clearly noticeable. However, print out the form in black and white.
    Before using the cross-reference function, check “Show bookmarks” in “Options”-“Advanced”-“Show document content” so that [ ] for bookmarks will be displayed. In the case where [ ] for bookmarks will not be displayed, parentheses are provided in bookmark positions as your guide.
  • *2 Enter 7986 to open the Excel file -Form 5. Data of the Applicant for Early Completion Eligibility Review (Form 5) needs to be submitted by e-mail to the Graduate School Office.
    Change the file name to “Student ID No. / Name.” When sending an e-mail, enter “Doctoral Degree Application / Student ID No. / Name” in the title field. <E-mail: kdf7986@* (Replace * with “adm.okayama-u.ac.jp.”>

 

Name of Form (kou)-7 Student ID No. / Name
Subject of e-mail Doctoral Degree Application / Student ID No. / Name”
E-mail to kdf7986(a)adm.okayama-u.ac.jp
To prevent junk mail, we have replaced the @ mark with (a) in the e-mail addresses below. For inquiries, please contact us by replacing (a) with the @ mark.

Those who are expected to complete their courses in three years or three and a half years (early completion) as a special case of the period of study, are supposed to undergo a review for degree application eligibility.

Guidelines for Eligibility Confirmation Review for Early Completion

Download the Instructions on how to apply for Review of Degree Application Eligibility for Early Completion from here and check them carefully.

Application Form

Forms Forms to download Entry Example
Word/Excel PDF
Letter of Recommendation Form 1 to Form 4*1

<Note>
1.Japanese only. Please check entry examples on the rightmost row for their English translation for your reference.

2.If you are a Japanese national, provide your name in hiragana in the “furigana” field. If you are not a Japanese national, provide your name in katakana.

 Form 1 Form 1 Entry example
Resume Form 2 Form 2Entry example
Applicant / Thesis / Contact Information / Completion Requirements Form 3 Form 3 Entry example ◆attention
Research Achievement List Form 4 Form 4 Entry example
Data of the Applicant for Early Completion Eligibility Review*2 Form 5*2 – –
  • *1The Word forms for Form 1 – From 4 partially contain bookmark and cross reference functions. A reference source is indicated in [purple letters]. If you move the cursor to purple letters without parentheses and press F9, the letters will be replaced with the letters of the reference source. The parts that can be cross-referenced are shown in purple so that they are clearly noticeable. However, print out the form in black and white.
    Before using the cross-reference function, check “Show bookmarks” in “Options”-“Advanced”-“Show document content” so that [ ] for bookmarks will be displayed. In the case where [ ] for bookmarks will not be displayed, parentheses are provided in bookmark positions as your guide.
  • *2 Enter 7986 to open the Excel file -Form (kou)-7. Applicants’ Data and Abstract of Thesis need to be submitted by e-mail to the Graduate School Office. <E-mail:.”>

 

Name of Form 5 Student ID No. / Name
Subject of e-mail Doctoral Degree Application / Student ID No. / Name”
E-mail to kdf7986(a)adm.okayama-u.ac.jp
To prevent junk mail, we have replaced the @ mark with (a) in the e-mail addresses below. For inquiries, please contact us by replacing (a) with the @ mark.

Criteria for the Main Reference of the Dissertation

Instructions of Doctoral Dissertation(2024)

Application Forms(2024)

Instruction of “Agreement on the special course term of less than four years at Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences”

Application Forms(2023)

If the the main paper has 11 or more co-authors (excluding the applicant), the applicant has to attach a written reason from the instructing professor using the following form.