Requirements for completing the GPLLI course

Mandatory coursework 1

During the First Year of the GPLLI course, students are required to take the following courses: “Life Innovation Leadership Development” (2 credits) and “Multidisciplinary Lecture Series on Life Innovation, focusing on the keywords: Measurement, Prediction and Control of the Living System” (2 credits).

Outline of the Life Innovation Leadership Development

Development of leaders with scientific background, through presentation of role models and theoretical evidence

(1) Leadership exercise

Consider career path through discussions with globally active leaders in industry, academia and government.

Industry:
Top management of leading global business enterprises, heads of industry associations, etc.
Government:
Senior officials from MEXT and MHLW, and Ambassadors to Japan, etc.
Academia:
Nobel Prize winners, board members of universities and research institutes, leaders of large-scale research projects, etc.
Private Sector:
NPO representatives, etc.
(2) Skill-set lectures

Students shall acquire basic skills about the following items through the attendance of a series of lectures:

Communication; Marketing; Finance; Entrepreneurism
(presentation; consensus-building; negotiation, etc.)
Lecturer (provisional): Prof. Chris Beaumont (The University of Tokyo)
Think-and-solve-a-problem
(logical and strategic thinking; problem-solving; intelligence, etc.)
Lecturer (provisional): Dr. Shintaro Sengoku (Tokyo Institute of Technology, Kyoto University)
Organizational management
(project management and operation, laboratory management, etc.)

Outline of the Multidisciplinary Lecture Series on Life Innovation, focusing on the keywords: Measurement, Prediction and Control of the Living System

  • ■An integrated theoretical basis was established, by reorganizing the existing disciplines of Medicine, Engineering, Pharmaceutical Sciences and Sciences according to the keywords “Measurement, Prediction and Control of the Living System”, in order to establish an holistic and advanced medical development system.
  • ■The curriculum is designed by reorganizing the fundamental content and multidisciplinary lectures, and thus overcoming common boundaries among disciplines and departments.
  • ■The three key pillars of the curriculum:

Measurement of the Living System:
Covers the basic principles and techniques to measure molecules, cells, tissues and organs

　Examples:
principles underlying measurement using microscopes, MRIs, etc.; development of probes for molecular cell measurement; MEMS technology; endoscope and catheter technology.

Prediction of the Living System:
Covers modeling and integration at the molecular, cellular, tissue and organ levels

　Examples:
Mathematical models; computer simulation; in-vitro models; in-vivo models.

Control of the Living System:
Covers the basic principles and techniques of molecular, cellular, tissue and organ control

　Examples:
Principles of physical, chemical and biological operations, and spatiotemporal control technology; monitoring of response; systemization
Note 1:
If a student has already taken a course that is substantially equivalent to part of the required coursework for the GPLLI course, prior to enrolling on the GPLLI course, the student can apply for a waive, after formally enrolling in the GPLLI course. If such application is approved, the student will be deemed to have completed the coursework in question.

Mandatory Exercises 2

During the First Year of the GPLLI course, students are required to present work at the "Practical training of techniques to deliver presentations and write papers".

Note 2:
Students who begin their Second Year of their 4-year Doctor of Medicine or Doctor of Pharmaceutical Sciences program in April 2012 are requested to complete the “Life Innovation Leadership Development” and “Multidisciplinary Lecture Series on Life Innovation, focusing on the keywords: Measurement, Prediction and Control of the Living System” courses, and to present at the “Practical training of techniques to deliver presentations and write papers”, before the end of their Second Year.

Mandatory Internships and Field Trips:

In order to complete the GPLLI course, prior to the Doctoral thesis defense, students must get two credits by completing at least one on-campus internship at a laboratory designated by GPLLI (including hospitals) in the University of Tokyo, in a different field of expertise from their own. They must also get two credits by completing at least one external internship designated by GPLLI in one of the following areas:

Academia:
internship at a leading domestic or overseas teaching or research facility
Industry:
internship at a business enterprise based on academia-industry collaboration programs
Government:
internship at a reviewing or regulatory agency

Participation in academic events organized or jointly organized by GPLLI

Students are encouraged to participate in academic events, such as seminars and forums, etc., in the field of life innovation, organized by GPLLI or jointly organized with other programs. Some seminars or events will be mandatory, from the view point of human resource development.