1.D2 Progress

All the second year students need to take this course. Refer to “Outline of Life Science Progress” when the student or the advisor wishes to cancel, postpone, or opt for an individual report due to special reasons.
The students must submit their choice of the Progress sub-committee members (refer to No. 2 below) by the last day of April for those who enrolled in April and by the last day of October for those who enrolled in October.

2.Progress Sub-Committee

The Education and Research Committee of the Department appoints sub-committee members consisting of 4 faculty members (up to 2 assistant professors can be included) for each student, and one professor or associate professor of the sub-committee members becomes a caretaker. However, as a rule, the faculty members from the laboratory which the student belongs to do not join the sub-committee. The Education and Research Committee of the Department decides the organization of the sub-committee considering the student’s preference. For continuity, the 4 sub-committee members must include the Life Science Progress I committee member as a rule. Also, when an assistant professor is included, her/his agreement is required before the request form is submitted.

3.Progress Report by a Poster Presentation

A poster presentation is to be given on the first Thursday of September by students who enrolled in April and the following March by those who enrolled in October as a rule. The student presents her/his research progress, problems, and future research plans by following the schedule informed by The Education and Research Committee of the Department. Each student gives an explanation using a poster (partially including PowerPoint etc) to the committee members, faculty members, and researchers. The student is expected to organize her/his knowledge or resolve problems by fully utilizing questions and advice given by the participants and Progress committee members.

4.Submission of a Progress Report

Each student prepares a report including research achievements gained to date and future research plans on her/his project, and submit it to the staff in charge of the graduate program by the end of November for students who enrolled in April and by the end of May for those who enrolled in October. Also, those who wish to drop out of the program and obtain a master’s degree should inform the staff in charge of the graduate program (The format of the report and the procedures to obtain a master’s degree are specified separately).

5.Progress Report by an Open Presentation

Each student gives an open presentation regarding her/his Progress report mentioned above. The sub-committee examines whether the student has reached the level of master’s degree and is suitable to go on to the third year of the Ph.D. program (only the former aspect is examined for those who apply for a master’s degree). Also, the sub-committee can request supplementations to the Progress report before the presentation. Students who enrolled in April give the presentation in December – the first half of January, and those who enrolled in October do so in June – July. This presentation also serves as an examination for those who drop out of the program after the second year to obtain a master’s degree.

6.Support from the PR committee besides the Progress Report

The committee members provide the student with advice on research and general life matters when necessary besides the individual interview and the poster presentation. The student can require advices to the committee member,whatever she/he needs help other than her/his supervisor.