Educational Policy of Graduate School of Health Sciences (Master's Course) (Radiological Technology / Advanced Practical Research Course)
Fundamental Educational Goals
In the Advanced Practical Research Course in Radiological Science and Technology, we will enhance our educational activities, which is the most important mission requested by society. Based on the results of advanced research activities to date, we foster the ability for students to actively participate in the “creation of knowledge.” Through close dialogue and discussion among students and staff, we support each individual to enrich their lives. We aim to provide education for the development of students equipped with high comprehensive abilities and characters who can play a central role in a wide range of fields, mainly in medical care at home and abroad.
Exemplary Students
Highly specialized professionals equipped with fundamental research abilities to contribute internationally through “holistic care” and “team care” for the realization and establishment of health promotion
In the Advanced Practical Research Course in Radiological Science and Technology, we uphold the practice and establishment of health promotion as our educational philosophy. To achieve this goal, we position “holistic care” and “team care” as our educational philosophy and nurture highly specialized professionals who can develop fundamental research abilities to contribute to the establishment of expertise and respond to the demands of society.
Specifically, we will foster individuals to develop the following five abilities:
○ Implementation Ability to recognize different values, connect with the world, and lead to the resolution of issues in radiological science and technology for holistic and advanced health care
○ Inquiry Ability with the basic ability of research to approach issues in radiological science and technology in a logical and multifaceted manner
○ Communication Ability to broadly cooperate as the core of a health and medical care team
○ Specialized Ability to integrate advanced knowledge and technology in radiological science and technology and contribute to the improvement of health, medical care, and welfare
○ Liberal Arts Ability to deepen one's knowledge through a wide range of learning experiences and flexibly respond to changes in society and the environment
Degree Policy
The Advanced Practical Research Course in Radiological Science and Technology awards degrees to students who have studied for the prescribed period of time, acquired the following competences, and earned the credits required for graduation.
Abilities acquired: Implementation Ability, Inquiry Ability, Communication Ability, Specialized Ability, Liberal Arts Ability
【Implementation Ability】Implementation ability that contributes to holistic and advanced health care by connecting with the world, recognizing diverse values, and guiding the resolution of issues in radiological science and technology.
In the face of challenges in radiological science and technology, students can understand the unique nuances of each issue and take proactive action for their resolution.
They are capable of contributing to health promotion in both local and international communities.
Students can implement holistic and cutting-edge healthcare.
【Inquiry Ability】Inquiry ability that students are equipped with basic research abilities and approach the issues in radiological science and technology logically and from multiple perspectives.
Using specialized knowledge in radiological science and technology, they can identify issues through multifaceted examination and find solutions independently.
They are also capable of explaining the essence of an issue in a way that individuals from other specialized fields can understand.
【Communication Ability】Communication ability that as the core of the health and medical team, students can broadly collaborate with others.
In their professional role in radiological science and technology, they can understand their role within a medical team.
Through smooth communication, they can mutually enhance knowledge beyond their area of expertise.
【Specialized Ability】Specialized ability that students can integrate advanced knowledge and skills in radiological science and technology to contribute to the improvement of health care and welfare.
They have acquired knowledge and skills about the research methods in radiological science and technology.
They are capable of deeply integrating their knowledge and skills.
【Liberal Arts Ability】Liberal arts ability that from a wide range of learning experiences, students deepen their knowledge and can flexibly respond to changes in society and the environment.
They can collect and analyze information and use it appropriately.
They can find a direction and plan for their own future and the creation of the future of society.
They can connect wider and deeper learning to their own growth.
Curriculum Policy
In order to develop students who have acquired the skills advocated in the Degree Policy, we organize and implement an educational curriculum based on the following policies and perspectives as a course for Radiological Science and Advanced Practical Research.
Education Implementation Policy
We will implement an education that fosters the ability for students to continue learning independently towards the realization of a sustainable society.
Education principles, methods, and evaluation
From the perspective of active, dialogic, and profound learning, we place emphasis on “what the student can do” rather than “rote learning”. The following educational content and methods are provided in each area: general education, specialized education, and language education.
【General Education】
Aiming to develop general purpose skills that are common to all students, we provide practical activities in which students can learn together, grow together, and create together.
In the course of Radiological Science and Advanced Practical Research, we implement an educational program to realize the Degree Policy. The standard duration of the master's course is two years, requiring the acquisition of credits as stipulated in this sub-program, receipt of necessary research guidance, and completion of thesis review and final examination.
In the first year, in the “Introduction to Degree Program”, we outline the character, learning objectives, and learning outcomes that will be developed. We provide guidance on learning methods necessary for research ethics, intellectual property rights, and information security, all of which form the basis of research, and independent learning. In “Leadership and SDGs,” students learn about SDGs, UN organizations, JICA, local community issues, business concepts, fundraising, policy making, innovation, entrepreneurship, and more, as ways to contribute to society and the local community throughout their lives. In the compulsory elective common core subjects of “Topics in Health Promotion Science” and “Topics in Medical Bioethics,” we assess students through discussions and debates on various issues, and report writing. In “Risk Management,” students learn from case studies and how to deal with such issues, thereby developing highly skilled professionals who can flexibly respond to changes in society and the environment, provide holistic and advanced health care as the core of the health care team, and contribute to the practice of public health and health promotion. In “Topics in Research Methodology,” students learn the latest research methods.
Regarding the assessment of students, the standards and methods for grading course subjects are specified in advance, and learning outcomes are strictly evaluated based on these standards and methods. For master's theses or specific assignments, the examination standards and methods are clarified, and the final examination and review of research outcomes based on these criteria are conducted. It is required to pass the final examination and thesis review. For the final examination and thesis review, an examination committee consisting of two or more members (however, when budget measures are possible within the program, external researchers may also be invited as committee members) is organized to conduct the review. The chairperson of the examination committee is elected by a vote by the committee members.
【Specialized Education】
By providing specialized content in a systematic manner, we provide deep understanding and opportunities to integrate and create knowledge from different disciplines.
In the first year, through taking interdisciplinary classes and seminars prepared by this sub-program and assessment through reports and presentations, we develop professionals who can contribute to the improvement of health, medical care, and welfare with advanced specialized knowledge and skills.
By implementing “Thesis Research” throughout the first two years, students develop basic research abilities and a spirit of inquiry, and develop the foundation for lifelong self-improvement. In close collaboration with faculty, students tackle issues and are supported in summarizing their work as a thesis over two years, aiming to improve problem solving and logical thinking abilities alongside the acquisition of cutting-edge knowledge and techniques in the research field. At the intermediate stage, students are assessed on presentations with other graduate students and faculty, so that students can understand the problems and positioning of their research.
In order to nurture students with a rich liberal arts education and advanced expertise across specialized fields, we set up a guidance system that provides detailed responses according to student needs, with one main supervisor and an additional assistant supervisors as needed, to manage the research process.
For students who have no practical experience as working adults before or during their enrollment, the “Internship Practice (Master)” course is mandatory, and provides opportunities to practice learning outcomes through practical experience in the local community.
For the “Cancer Radiation Science Course (commonly known as the Medical Physicist Course)” and “Neutron Medical Course”, which are special courses designed specifically for training medical professionals involved in medical physics and neutron medicine, we implement internships and exercises at Okayama University Hospital, regional core hospitals, and advanced medical implementation facilities from the first year, and provide practice-based education. In addition to advanced specialized knowledge and techniques, students acquire basic research skills and knowledge and skills in areas other than their field of specialization over the course of two years. Experts in each field will quantify and evaluate knowledge and skills from a clinical perspective.
Through the implementation of the education curriculum described above, we develop professionals who can provide holistic and advanced health care as the core of a health care team, based on rich specialized knowledge and skills, who can flexibly respond to changes and issues throughout their lives, and contribute to the practice of health promotion.
The constructed educational curriculum is subject to a PDCA cycle from various perspectives, including faculty development, systematic internal evaluation, external evaluation, analysis of student course evaluation surveys, and we carry out regular and continuous improvements that contribute to the SDGs.
Regarding academic evaluation, the standards and methods of grading for class subjects are clearly stated in advance, and academic achievements are rigorously evaluated based on these standards and methods.
【Language Education】
We provide education to develop the English language proficiency necessary to thrive in a global society.
Students will receive credit for presenting the results of their research in Japan and abroad for two years, as well as for their internship and research activities overseas. The program aims to develop presentation skills, communication skills, and debate skills, and support the acquisition and dissemination of information in English.
Extracurricular Education Policy
We provide a variety of out-of-class opportunities for students to experience personal growth beyond classroom learning.