Admission Policy in the Graduate School of Veterinary Medicine

Education Aims

The educational principles of the Graduate School of Veterinary Medicine aim to develop scientific researchers/veterinary practitioners with a wide range of accomplishments, high ethical standards and an abundance of sensitivity; experts who will become responsible for the health and well-being of animals, humans and the environment-with outstanding creativity and international awareness-by acquiring specialized and advanced knowledge and skills, through the study and research of veterinary medicine and veterinary sciences. Based on these principles, the educational aims of the Graduate School of Veterinary Medicine are to nurture human resources and provide domestic and overseas societies with 1) personnel to develop the world’s veterinary medicine, veterinary healthcare and life sciences in various occupational fields such as veterinary medicine, life science, environmental conservation and the like, 2) human resources to lead conservation of the environment/ecosystem and regional veterinary healthcare in a variety of fields, such as the agriculture and livestock industries as well as medicine/food-related industries, and 3) pioneers to lead research and education in next generation veterinary medicine and veterinary sciences.

 

What We Expect of Our Students

  • Qualities required of new students
  1. Knowledge, skills and understanding: Students who have sufficient basic academic knowledge and skills in the field of veterinary science.
  2. Ability to think, make decisions, and express oneself: Those who have English language skills and communication skills necessary for research and academic activities.
  3. Interest, motivation and inquiring mind to perform academic activities: Those who have a willingness to actively work on and solve problems during research activities, and have a keen interest in research ethics and veterinary ethics.
  4. Independence and ability to collaborate: Students who have the ability to conduct creative research and academic activities from a broad perspective.

 

  • What we expect applicants to have learned before entering the graduate school
  1. Basic knowledge on academic subjects related to veterinary science to engage in academic and research activities at the graduate school.

 

Admission Policy

Linking animal, human, and environmental health is an important common global issue in the 21st century. At the Graduate School of Veterinary Medicine, according to the above educational principles and educational aims, the learning objectives are successful participation in various fields related to veterinary healthcare, veterinary medicine and life science at home and abroad, and the acquisition of – and ability to display – leadership skills. In order to fulfil these objectives, the Graduate School of Veterinary Medicine seeks students and members of society from both home and abroad, with the following necessary qualities.

 

  • Sufficient basic academic skills to study in the specialist field of veterinary medicine, and the high moral outlook and sense of ethics required of a scientist/veterinary professional.
  • Strong motive/interest and high level of awareness to carry out scientific research, and the willingness and passion to clarify issues and solve problems.
  • A wide perspective and grasp of veterinary medicine-related matters, as well as the consciousness and outlook to serve both domestic and overseas societies through the health and well-being of animals, humans and the environment.
  • The ability to communicate, as well as the enthusiasm and willingness to cooperate, all of which are vital in order to proceed with research and study.

 

Basic Policy for Selection of Applicants

  1. General Entrance Examination and Entrance Examination for Working People
    The written examination evaluates “knowledge, skills and understanding” and “Ability to think, make decisions, and express oneself”, the oral examination evaluates “knowledge, skills and understanding”, “Ability to think, make decisions, and express oneself”, “Interest, motivation and inquiring mind to perform academic activities” and “Independence and ability to collaborate”, and the application documents are evaluated comprehensively focusing on “knowledge, skills and understanding” and “Interest, motivation and inquiring mind to perform academic activities”.
  2. Special Selection for other university’s student (only for Japanese)
    Applicants will be evaluated on the basis of “knowledge, skills and understanding”, “Ability to think, make decisions, and express oneself” and “Interest, motivation and inquiring mind to perform academic activities” in the application form, and “knowledge, skills and understanding”, “Ability to think, make decisions, and express oneself”, “Interest, motivation and inquiring mind to perform academic activities” and “Independence and ability to collaborate” in the oral examination.
  3. Entrance examination for international students
    Applicants are evaluated on the basis of their “knowledge, skills and understanding”, “Ability to think, make decisions, and express oneself” and “Interest, motivation and inquiring mind to perform academic activities” in the application documents, and “knowledge, skills and understanding”, “Ability to think, make decisions, and express oneself”, “Interest, motivation and inquiring mind to perform academic activities” and “Independence and ability to collaborate” in the oral examination.

 

Method of examination and evaluation factors of the entrance examination

    knowledge, skills and understanding Ability to think, make decisions, and express oneself Interest, motivation and inquiring mind to perform academic activities Independence and ability to collaborate
General Entrance Examination and Entrance Examination for Working People Application Documents *   *  
Written Examination * *    
Oral Examination * * * *

Special selection for other university’s student (only for Japanese)

Application Documents

(including essay and research plan)
* * *  
Oral Examination * * * *

Entrance examination for international students

Application Documents

(including essay and research plan)
* * *  
Oral Examination * * * *

  

Diploma Policy

In line with Hokkaido University’s four philosophies (i.e., Frontier Spirit, Global Perspectives, All-round Education and Practical Learning), the Graduate School of Veterinary Medicine upholds the educational principles necessary to develop scientific researchers/veterinary practitioners who will become responsible for the health and well-being of animals, humans and the environment – with outstanding creativity and international awareness – by acquiring specialized and advanced knowledge and skills through the study and research on veterinary medicine and veterinary healthcare. Based on these principles, the Graduate School aims to educate new generations of: 1) leaders capable of building up veterinary science in the world, veterinary healthcare and life sciences in various occupational fields such as veterinary medicine, life science, and environmental conservation, 2) leaders capable of spearheading conservation of the environment/ecosystem and promoting regional veterinary healthcare in a variety of fields, such as agriculture, livestock and medicine/food-related industries, and 3) pioneers who can lead research and education in next-generation of veterinary medicine and veterinary science. The Graduate School also establishes the Clinical Medicine-Emphasizing Program to educate new generations of leaders in clinical veterinary science. Students joining this program will engage in advanced veterinary care and research at Hokkaido University Veterinary Teaching Hospital.
The Graduate School has set degree conferral standards that ensure specific abilities required of such ideal leaders in the Division of Veterinary Medicine (Doctoral Program), and grants a Ph.D. to students who have developed the requisite abilities, acquired the necessary credits and passed a review and examination of their doctoral dissertation.

 

Degree Conferral Standards

Based on the educational aims of the Graduate School of Veterinary Medicine, the Division of Veterinary Medicine aspires to educate new generations of experts in veterinary science who are equipped with well-rounded perspectives, practical ability and comprehensive decision-making ability and who can exercise leadership in the international arena to help achieve the One Health concept to promote the health of animals, humans and ecosystems. To earn a Ph.D., students must possess the qualities and skills outlined below.

 

  • Broad perspectives and an academic foundation in veterinary and related sciences
  • Highly specialized expertise in veterinary and related sciences, and the ability to apply it to research and other practical situations
  • The ability to see issues from broad, multidisciplinary perspectives, and the insight and flexible imagination necessary to solve challenging issues
  • The ability to exercise leadership in the international arena to help achieve the One Health concept

 

Curriculum Policy

To foster the development of experts described in the Diploma Policy, the Graduate School of Veterinary Medicine formulates and implements curricula for the Division of Veterinary Medicine.

 

Curriculum Policy of Division of Veterinary Medicine

The Division of Veterinary Medicine formulates and implements curricula with characteristics outlined below to foster the development of experts with the abilities described in the degree conferral standards.

 

Development of a broad academic foundation in veterinary science

  • To help students develop interdisciplinary perspectives and an academic foundation in veterinary and related sciences, the Division offers Subjects on Fundamental Veterinary Science.
  • Credits earned for Inter-Graduate School Classes offered at Hokkaido University are counted toward degree completion to help students cultivate comprehensive, interdisciplinary knowledge, not just expertise in veterinary science.
  • The Division offers a Research Ethics Seminar to cultivate a sense of ethics and awareness of research standards needed for researchers who play an active role in the international arena.

 

Improvement of English proficiency

  • To help students acquire the level of English proficiency necessary to play an active role in the international arena, the Division offers Academic English. This course is aimed at improving students’ English conversation and presentation skills through small classes.
  • All lectures are given in English with the exception of some courses including Advanced and Comprehensive Studies on Integrated Specialized Veterinary Clinical Medicine, which covers veterinary care at Hokkaido University Veterinary Teaching Hospital. English seminars featuring researchers invited from abroad who are at the forefront of their fields are also planned to help improve students’ English proficiency.

 

Acquisition of advanced specialist expertise in veterinary science

  • The Division offers Subjects on Fundamental Veterinary Science to develop an academic foundation in veterinary and related sciences, and provides Subjects on Advanced Veterinary Science to help students acquire specialized knowledge and skills in veterinary science.
  • The Division offers courses aimed at educating new generations of experts in chemical hazard control. To provide the expertise necessary for such experts, it offers Advanced and Comprehensive Studies on Chemical Hazard Control.
  • To educate new generations of experts in clinical veterinary science who will lead regional veterinary healthcare, the Graduate School will establish the Clinical Medicine-Emphasizing Program, which will help students develop the necessary clinical competencies to provide comprehensive veterinary care to all kinds of animals. Students are provided with opportunities for practical engagement in such care at Hokkaido University Veterinary Teaching Hospital through Advanced and Comprehensive Studies on Integrated Specialized Veterinary Clinical Medicine.

 

Development of the practical ability to play an active role in the international arena

  • To help students develop the practical ability needed in the international arena, the Division offers Internships that provide students with opportunities to get real-world experience, either in Japan or abroad, that is directly related to their field of study, and to explore career paths in a domestic or international context.

 

Development of comprehensive research skills through individually tailored advice and guidance on writing a doctoral dissertation

  • The Division supports doctoral dissertation research by offering Research on Veterinary Science to help students cultivate the abilities to identify and solve problems and gain expertise in the writing of academic papers, both of which are prerequisites for independent-minded researchers.
  • The Division supports doctoral dissertation research based on a research advisor system, under which students are offered individually tailored advice and guidance by advisors from their own laboratories and elsewhere.
  • At the end of each academic year, the Division holds an open research presentation event where students can receive advice from faculty members of other laboratories than their own. The requirement to make presentations and answer questions in English allows students to develop the ability to play active roles on the international stage.
  • To ensure the quality of degrees, the Division performs three reviews for Quality Evaluation. The first review is aimed at offering evaluation and advice about the validity, novelty and other aspects of students’ research, whereas the second review is intended to check the progress of the research and provide advice and guidance on the acquisition of degrees. The third review is an eligibility review for the submission of a dissertation.

 

Development of broad-ranging abilities that Ph.D. holders need

  • The Division provides students with communication skills and training in the planning and organization of academic events by offering them the opportunity to plan and organize such events as research discussion forums, lecture meetings and international academic conferences.
  • Students are offered the opportunity to prepare for their future as outstanding researchers/educators through work as Teaching Assistants (TAs), Research Assistants (RAs) and Teaching Fellows (TFs).

 

Policy for the assessment of learning outcomes

The Guidelines for Grading Standards stipulate that grading is to be carried out in a manner appropriate to the nature of the course.


 

Assessment Policy and Assessment Checklist

The Graduate school of Veterinary Medicine established an assessment policy that defines the overall purpose, qualitative level to be achieved, and specific implementation methods for the assessment of student learning outcomes in December 2018.


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