Program Overview

Introduction to the Department of Medical Science

The Department of Medical Science is a two-year master's program designed for students with backgrounds other than medicine to gain a deeper understanding of basic medicine and develop the ability to conduct basic medical research. The program aims to provide students with a comprehensive education in basic medicine, followed by hands-on experience in a laboratory setting.

Program Structure

The two-year program is structured as follows:

• 1st year:
  • Early April: Guidance for the master's program
  • April to Early June: Lectures on basic medicine
  • Mid June: Hospital practical training
  • Late June, Early July: Laboratory rotation
  • Late July: Submission of assignment request and selection
  • Beginning of August: Assignment to a laboratory and start of research
• 2nd year:
  • Early October: Entrance examination for the doctoral program
  • Late November: Submission of summary of master's thesis
  • Mid-January: Submission of master's thesis
  • Mid-February: Master's thesis presentation and examination

Lectures and Laboratory Experience

The program includes two lecture periods in the morning and two in the afternoon, from 8:40 AM to 4:20 PM, from the beginning of April to the end of June in the 1st year. Each laboratory is responsible for teaching wide-ranging medical knowledge and outlining the type of research being done at the forefront of the field. Students will gain hands-on experience in a laboratory setting, where they will work on research projects and develop their skills.

Hospital Practical Training

The hospital practical training is designed to provide students with experience in advanced medical practice, acquaint them with medical personnel, and familiarize them with the actual conditions of diseases, patients, and diagnosis and treatment. The training is conducted over a period of two weeks, during which students will visit different divisions, observe diagnoses and operations, and receive lectures on current problems in medical practice.

Laboratory Rotation and Assignment

Prior to each rotation, a briefing on the rotation will be held. During the rotation, students will stay in laboratories that attracted their interest and directly experience the actual atmospheres of these laboratories. Laboratory assignments will be determined after completion of the laboratory rotation, based on the assignment requests submitted in late July.

Entrance Examination for the Doctoral Program

The entrance examination for the doctoral program is conducted in early October every year. Graduate students will be exempt from taking a written examination for the doctoral program.

Master's Thesis and Presentation

The submission deadline for the master's thesis is in mid-January, and the thesis will be reviewed by 3 referees selected by the steering committee. Thesis presentations will be held in mid-February, and an approximately 30-minute discussion will be held for each applicant. A pass or fail decision is made based on this review and Q&A.

Program Statistics

The program has a strong track record of producing successful graduates, with the following statistics:

• April 1999: 32 applicants, 31 examinees, 14 passers, 14 enrollments, 11 entrances to the doctoral program
• April 2000: 101 applicants, 96 examinees, 24 passers, 19 enrollments, 15 entrances to the doctoral program
• April 2001: 86 applicants, 86 examinees, 25 passers, 18 enrollments, 12 entrances to the doctoral program
• April 2002: 87 applicants, 86 examinees, 29 passers, 24 enrollments, 20 entrances to the doctoral program
• April 2003: 123 applicants, 114 examinees, 31 passers, 24 enrollments
• April 2004: 152 applicants, 137 examinees, 32 passers, 20 enrollments