Integrated Environmental Studies Course

About the Integrated Environmental Studies Course

The Integrated Environmental Studies Course is an educational program for doctoral course students, launched by "From Earth System Science to Basic and Clinical Environmental Studies," a Global Center of Excellence (GCOE) Program (FY2009-2013), principally on the initiative of the Graduate School of Environmental Studies and the Department of Biosphere Resources Science of the Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences. This GCOE Program sought to integrate two fields which have not traditionally had a close relationship: diagnostic-type disciplines, such as earth sciences, ecology and geography, and treatment-type disciplines, such as engineering, agricultural studies and social studies. Through this integration, the program hoped to build an integrated center of education and research from which we can develop a new approach to environmental studies. As such, we are concentrating on two central pillars, which can support the program as it grows: the practical implementation of Clinical Environmental Studies and the construction of Basic Environmental Studies .

Clinical Environmental Studies is concerned with specific environmental problems in discrete regions. It observes the relationships between diagnosis, treatment and impact assessment, and functions to propose practical solutions in which these three elements can feedback into each other to ensure mutual benefit. It can only be achieved through the participation of and collaboration with researchers from multiple disciplines. By contrast, Basic Environmental Studies is a trans-disciplinary approach that seeks to systemize the globally applicable fundamental principles that support Clinical Environmental Studies.

A doctoral course, the Integrated Environmental Studies Course, launched in April 2010, was established as a joint program between the two Graduate Schools of Environmental Studies and of Bioagricultural Sciences. Doctoral students of the Graduate School of Environmental Studies and the Department of Biosphere Resources Science of the Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences may take this Course. The student who complete the Course will be given a Certificate. The students who are enrolling other Graduate Schools and Departments may also take the Course by submitting the Class Registration Form for Other Graduate Schools (Ta Kenkyuka Rishu Negai) to both of Teaching and Student Office of the Graduate School in which the student enrolls and Student Office of the Graduate School of Environmental Studies, though they cannot receive a Certificate.

The Integrated Environmental Studies Course offer On-site Research Training in Clinical Environmental Studies (ORT) 1 and 2, and Classes and Research Instruction in Basic Environmental Studies (CBES) 1 and 2. A student who would like to complete the Course must take On-site Research Training in Clinical Environmental Studies (ORT) 1, and Classes and Research Instruction in Basic Environmental Studies (CBES) 1, in addition to obtain the necessary credits for each Department in which the student is enrolled.

The Education and Research Centre for Sustainable Co-Development, Graduate School of Environmental Studies serves as secretariat for the Integrated Environmental Studies Course.

Classes and Research Instruction in Basic Environmental Studies (CBES) 1/2 and On-site Research Training in Clinical Environmental Studies (ORT) 1/2

The Integrated Environmental Studies Course aims at obtaining broad perspectives on environmental issues and problem solving capacity on the grounds simultaneously, which cannot be readily learned in the laboratory activities, by means of participation of students and teaching staffs from various fields of disciplines.

Classes and Research Instruction in Basic Environmental Studies (CBES) 1 and 2, entitled "Perspective on Sustainable Society," looks at what sustainability is in multifaceted manner, aiming development of a new concept beyond sustainability. Students identify the theme, conduct literature survey and report and share the findings and ideas.

By contrast, On-site Research Training in Clinical Environmental Studies (ORT) 1 and 2 look at specific region. Cross-disciplinary teams of graduate students and faculty will work to identify an issue that threatens the natural environment of a certain region and the sustainability of the local community there. The team then works with the local community and local government to look at potential solutions and to predict the impact of the implementation of such. Students join a team focusing on certain sites in the Ise Bay Bioregion. Practical study is then carried out, including field work in the region. This field work forms the core of the course, with students attending seminars before and after field work to deepen their understanding of the region and its problems. Team findings are collated into a final report, and a briefing session is held.

CBES 2 and ORT 2 can be enrolled by students who have completed CBES 1 and ORT 1. (Ask Secretariat for the Integrated Environmental Studies Course, in case you are not sure if you completed CBES 1, and ORT 1.)

Each CBES 1 and 2, also ORT 1 and 2 will be held at the same classes.