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Engineering & Science in English, Tohoku Univ.

Program Overview

Tohoku University, one of Japan’s oldest universities and world famous as a leader in innovative research, offers science and engineering students the opportunity to:
 
  • Become an active participant in a lab team conducting cutting-edge research
  • Conduct an individual research project, and submit your results in English
  • Take courses taught in English through the Junior Year Program in English (JYPE)
The School of Engineering, the largest branch of the university, emphasizes research through lab work and seminars in such fields as biochemistry, geology, aerospace engineering, materials science, and agricultural science.
 
Tohoku University is located in Sendai, a city of one million in the scenic northern part of Honshu and renowned for its natural beauty, facing the Pacific Ocean on the east with mountains to the west. Sendai is known as the “city of green” and is the cultural, commercial, and transportation center of the region of Tohoku, just a two-hour bullet-train ride from Tokyo.
 
Students attend classes with international and/or host country students.

Language of Instruction

English


Language Study

Japanese
Year participants with one year of Japanese participate in the six-week Japanese intensive language program (ILP) in Tokyo. Japanese language study is strongly encouraged each term.​


Duration

Go to the Participants section to see current or past calendars.
​
Spring :  
early April to early August​

Year :  
late September to early August of the following year​

ILP + Year :  
late July to early August ​

 


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Housing

EAP students stay at the International House, a popular off-campus dormitory for foreign students.​


Extracurricular Activities

Tohoku offers a rich variety of student club activities such as martial arts, sports, and clubs for tea ceremony, drama, music, dance, flower arranging, etc. Clubs are an excellent way to meet local students and practice Japanese.


On-site Support

EAP students are supported by UC's network of EAP offices at every UC campus and partnerships with EAP host universities throughout the world. UC faculty and local staff abroad help students integrate into the culture of Japan and provide assistance with academics, housing, safety, and other issues.​
 
See the EAP Program Guide for program-specific details about host institutions, program structure, and courses; academic culture and conduct; internships, research, & independent study; units, exams, and grades; orientation; housing; and information about the intensive language program (if applicable).​

Tohoku University, Sendai

Tohoku University, Sendai
Tohoku University is an elite national university ranked as number one by Asia Week among Asia’s multidisciplinary institutions of higher learning. Founded as Tohoku Imperial University in 1907, Tohoku is one of Japan’s oldest and largest national universities. As one of the first Japanese institutions to admit women and the first to open a Western-style research institute, Tohoku prides itself on being a pioneer. Its early emphasis on research and development has helped Japan to become the world leader in electronics.
 
With about 11,000 undergraduate and 7,000 graduate students, Tohoku University has five campuses in Sendai scattered in four of the Tohoku region prefectures.  The Aobayama campus is the home of science and engineering faculties, while administration and various research centers are on the Katahira campus. The Kawauchi campus includes arts and letters, economics, law, education, international cultural studies, the university library, the recreational building, and other faculties and facilities, including the International Center for Japanese Language Study.  
 
Students attend the campus that offers their academic curriculum and major. 
 
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Student Reviews

Course Opportunities

This program includes science, engineering, and Japanese language and culture courses taught in English. You participate in a research group that is a central part of this program focusing on current topics related to your field of study. 
 
Coursework taught in Japanese is open to students with the required language skills.
 
Use the following resources to learn about courses on EAP: 

Units

ILP:    3 to 12 UC quarter/2 to 8 UC semester units
Term: Minimum 21 UC quarter units/14 UC semester units per semester required (18 quarter/12 semester if you attend the ILP); typically lab plus 4 or 5 courses.​


Internships, Research, and Independent Study

All students participate in a lab research group with Japanese and international students under the supervision of Tohoku University faculty. More than a hundred different labs are available in such areas as neuroscience, human medical engineering, molecular science, integrated engineering, physics, and so much more. Search the Tohoku website for a lab research group that meets your interests.
 
UCEAP students are placed in labs based on research proposals submitted prior to departure.  Additional information will be provided in the predeparture checklist.
 

Click here to see a list of 2010-11 research topics. ​

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Participation in UCEAP is a great value! The cost of studying abroad on UCEAP programs is typically less than that of non-UC study abroad programs. The dollar figures listed in the chart below represent an estimate of: 1) the UCEAP fees for the current year, and 2) the additional amount needed to cover your living expenses in this location. Estimates for personal travel, entertainment and Non-Resident (out of state) Fees are not included.
 
Keep in mind that on UCEAP you take your financial aid with you. The amount of your financial aid package will take into account the total estimated costs of this experience. One advantage of selecting UCEAP for study abroad is that we facilitate the process by working with your UC Financial Aid Office (FAO), informing them of your UCEAP participation and providing them with your UCEAP budget. Just like your UC Campus billing office, we receive your financial aid and scholarships from your FAO, apply it to cover the UCEAP program fees, and disburse any remaining aid on a set schedule.
 

Estimated EAP Costs *

OptionWeeksUnits (Qtr)Units (Sem)UCEAP Fees 1Additional Costs 2
(Estimated)
 
Spring182114$6,900$8,600
Year464228$13,100$16,400
ILP + Year544832$16,400$21,650
 
* Estimates do not include Non Resident Fees. If you are subject to out-of-state tuition at your UC campus, you will pay Non-Resident Fees on UCEAP.

1 UCEAP Fees: This represents an estimate of UCEAP fees for the current year. Actual amounts will vary due to potential changes to UC fees, exchange rate fluctuation, etc. This figure includes UC tuition and fees for undergraduate, in-state residents. For a detailed breakdown of what’s included in this estimate, visit the Participants Portal and select the appropriate program. Non-Resident Fees apply: If you are subject to out-of-state tuition at your UC campus, you will pay non-resident fees on UCEAP.

2 Additional Costs: Average living expenses include but are not limited to room and board, transportation, books, supplies, and other incidentals and do not include recreational travel or entertainment. The total cost will vary depending on your personal expenses, exchange rate fluctuation, and the program you attend. For a detailed breakdown of the estimate, visit the “Cost” tab of the appropriate program.

All fees are subject to change without notice.

These expenses are estimated for 2012-13. Actual amounts will vary due to potential changes to UC fees, exchange rate fluctuation, etc. For a more detailed breakdown of 2012-13 payment information, visit the Participants Portal and select the appropriate program.  Estimates do not include Non Resident Fees. If you are subject to out-of-state tuition at your UC campus, you will pay Non Resident Fees on UCEAP.
 
Here’s what is included in the estimate:
 
  • Predeparture expenses (visa, etc.)
  • Round-trip transportation from California
  • UC fees
  • Tuition at partner institution
  • Accident and medical insurance
  • On-site orientation
  • Intensive language program
  • Room and board
  • Program excursions
  • Books and other incidental expenses
  • Automatic transfer of credits and grades to your UC transcript
​While on UCEAP, you are covered by UC’s accident and medical insurance, including non-medical benefits, and 24/7 travel assistance anywhere in the world.​

Scholarships

UCEAP scholarships are available. Please visit our scholarships overview page for general information and details  regarding eligibility requirements and application deadlines.

Eligibility

Class Level:

Sophomore, Junior, Senior, Graduate

Language Prerequisites:

None

GPA:

3.00 cumulative GPA at the time of application and maintained through the end of the last term prior to departure.

Other Eligibility Requirements:


Transfer students applying to Tohoku must spend at least one term at UC prior to departure.

All applicants must also have:

  • Serious academic goals and a clear plan for integrating EAP studies into the student's UC degree program.
  • Social, interpersonal, and cross-cultural sensitivity; maturity; willingness to adapt successfully to different living and academic environments; appropriate behavior in a variety of situations.
  • A willingness to abide by program regulations.
  • Completed all campus- and program-specific requirements.

Application Information and Deadlines

Application deadlines and information on the application process are available through your Campus EAP Office. Supplemental predeparture materials will be required for many programs, including, but not limited to, host institution applications, visa and housing applications, medical clearances, etc.

For participation in the program, you must meet all deadlines and submit complete application materials.

These are minimum requirements. After selection by your UC Campus EAP Office, final admission is determined by Tohoku University.