Overview

The Environmental Sciences in Japan Program (ESJ) includes intensive study of Japanese language and culture, a keystone course surveying environmental problems and responses, field trips to environmentally sensitive sites, and internships with the University of Shiga Prefecture's School of Environmental Science. ESJ is designed for natural science and public policy students who want to add international dimensions to their careers, at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. The program runs June-August, on the same schedule as the JCMU Summer Intensive Program.

Curriculum

Courses: Intensive Japanese Language [3 credits; four levels, from beginning to advanced]; Japanese Environmental Problems from Meiji to Heisei [3 credits]; ESJ Internship [4 credits]

The ESJ keystone course, Environmental Issue in Lake Biwa [3 credits], The course will acquaint students with the environmental problems Lake Biwa faces from a wide perspective including political and socio-economic issues affecting the Lake's development and conservation. Classroom study will be augmented by fieldtrips to introduce students to the history of the interaction between the lake and human beings and practical research activities

The Japanese language for Science Majors [3 credits] involves regular course meetings and will pay particular attention to science-related themes, vocabulary, situations, and activities by drawing upon examples from Japanese culture, society and experiences related to the keystone course work. Beyond classroom training, ESJ students are able to apply their increasing language skills in the local community and in internships. Field trips, demonstrations, and other activities, whether organized by the JCMU staff or initiated by students, complement language study.

Students additionaly participate in internships coordinated and supervised by the University of Shiga Prefecture laboratories of the School of Environmental Science. Possible internship topics include various fields of study such as "Ecosystem Studies", "Environmental Planning", "Biological Resources Management", "Socio-Environmental Systems" and "Design and Architecture". Students will be placed in a laboratory which matches their interests.

 

Internship Example

A former JCMU student, Elly Bunzendahl from Michigan Technological University, served as a model for the ESJ internship. She has an interest in remote sensing and continued her work on a project for the Michigan Space Grand Consortium in cooperation with the University of Shiga Prefecture. She wrote that the experience "…provided me with many opportunities to observe and participate in research in my area of study as well as in a foreign setting. The work I completed with a small team of professors and researchers in Japan not only increased my awareness of field work applications, but also forged a relationship among American students and the University of Shiga Prefecture. Niren-sensei and Mori-san were very open and allowed me to join in on their project. They included me in everything - including the computer work, going to the actual field site a couple of times, and visiting the Biwako Museum to obtain aerial photos. Niren-sensei was also very patient with my Japanese and answered my many, many questions I asked concerning Japanese environmental issues."

Research topics of the ESJ Internship in 2006, 2007 included:

  • Heat distribution and Lake breezes in the Hikone Region
  • Removal Efficiency of Particulate Pollutions from Atmosphere by Tree Species
  • Biodiesel in the Power and Energy Laboratory
  • Herbicide Effects on fish fry
  • Controlling the Spread of the New Zealand Mudsnail
  • Studies on cultural and scientific aspects of fisheries in central Japan