9 Environmental Sciences Degree Programs in Japan

The desire to build a sustainable society based on the coexistence between people, society, and nature is common to the entire human race. The Tottori University of Environmental Studies offers two majors in its Graduate School of Environmental Science and Business Administration: Studies in Environmental Science focuses mainly on Natural Science and Studies in Business Administration focuses on Sociology. Both majors have a common curriculum called Environment Management Courses. Along with the fundamental knowledge about environment and business administration taught in our faculty, students also aim to earn expertise, thinking ability, and practical skills. Furthermore, they learn about fundamental studies that blend natural sciences and sociology with an environmental approach. That way, we intend to train experts able to make feasible proposals toward the building of a sustainable society and who can put in practice their proposals. Studies in Environmental Science has three sets of courses added to the Environment Management Courses: Natural Environment Courses, Resource Circulation Courses, and Human Environment Courses. These courses train experts with knowledge of particular areas and also train specialists with a wide vision. Studies in Business Administration has three sets of courses added to the Environment Management Courses: Corporate Management Courses, Regional Management Courses, and Management Information Courses. These courses train experts in particular areas while maintaining a link within courses.

The 21st century is an era of the environment. It can be said that it is an era of designing a "mechanism" that enriches people's lives by utilizing local resources. There are many natural resources available around us, such as solar power, hydraulic power, and forests. Social problems such as an increase in vacant houses and abandoned cultivated land due to the declining population are also occurring. In the Department of Environmental Design, you will study environmental studies related to the future creation of the region, such as living environment, living and water, resource energy, biomass, environmental risk assessment, and environmental policy, and also practically learn international understanding through overseas activities. I aim to be an environmental science professional who understands the movements of the world and Japan and can see the future of the area where I live from the perspective of the world.

This division conducts, on the basis of physics, chemistry and biology and their interdisciplinary field, cutting-edge studies on the structure and variation mechanisms of the environment and ecosystems in coastal waters and their related environmental issues, and pollution and toxic effects of hazardous chemicals on a regional and a global scale.

This program accepts students who have obtained a master’s degree or the equivalent in various fields. The program encompasses the Department of Global Ecology, the Department of Technology and Ecology, and the Department of Natural Resources of the Hall of Global Environmental Research, as well as the Grove of Universal Learning. Students’ specialized study themes are selected from the vast range of themes related to global environmental studies, based on prior study and approaches in the humanities and social sciences as well as natural science, agriculture and engineering. After receiving a doctoral degree, students may work at universities or environment-related government/private-sector research organizations.

Confronting the environmental issues faced by the Earth and mankind in a wide range of fields. While enhancing accurate comprehension and awareness of various environmental issues, this department engages in practical education centered on “eco-chemistry”, “biochemistry”, and “energy machines” related to the development of environmentally-friendly chemicals, and the search for effective energy utilization technology and biomaterials. By doing so, it seeks to develop human resources who have a high level of environmental awareness and are able to actively participate in these broad fields.

Passing on a rich and well-cared-for environment to future generations is an eternal challenge facing the human race. We are nurturing human resources capable of accurately grasping the environmental problems currently occurring on our planet and well-equipped to tackle the issues of conservation, all the while leveraging our accumulated knowledge of science and technology.

Explaining the phenomena of life at the molecular level in the organisms that form ecosystems The Earth is home to a vast variety of living organisms, which comprise rich ecosystems that exist in harmony with the environment. The Environmental Biology Course conducts research with the goal of understanding how organisms recognize the environment in ecosystems and harmonize their activities using the language of molecules. For example, the course covers research into the mechanisms by which animals recognize and respond to external stimuli such as light, and research into the effects of endocrine disruptors flowing into rivers, lakes, and marshes on fish and other wildlife and the mechanisms by which those effects are carried out. Other projects in which department are enthusiastically involved include research into the mechanisms of plant environmental recognition and plant immunity to pathogenic bacteria, research into the physiological mechanisms of microorganisms and the control of their lifespans, and research into the various physiologically active substances that are created by organisms in the environment. We consider research in areas such as these to provide a basis for maintaining ecosystems that are rich in life into the indefinite future.

In the Department of Environmental Science, students receive education and conduct research in order to create an environment in which humans and nature can co-exist. We aim to nurture individuals who can contribute to creating a comfortable local community that is safe and inviting. With a base of knowledge related to land, water, and air, students gain an understanding of the connections between human activities and the environment/ecosystems and focus their study on the theory and technology necessary for providing for both production and living environments, while protecting the natural environment. To give students the best chance of future success, we have a comprehensive program of subjects involving experiments and practicums relating to the environment. We also provide numerous opportunities to learn in various environments away from the university. Students can then learn and experience in real-life environments, to really learn about what ‘environment’ means.

Department of Occupational Hygiene gives students the specialized knowledge that is required to maintain workers’ health and create a safe and comfortable working environment, by improving the basic academic abilities that the students learned in high school. At the same time, it provides students with science-based skills and technological skills to assess and improve the working environment and trains professionals who can maintain workers’ health and create safe and comfortable environments from an engineering perspective.