Laboratory Selection / Assignment｜Frequently Asked Questions｜Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, Osaka University

Q

Can we exchange emails and decide on lab visits outside of open lab days?

A

Visits can be made on days other than open lab days, so please feel free to exchange e-mails with the professor of the laboratory of your choice without hesitation, and discuss and decide on a date that is convenient for you.

Q

When is the best time to interview before taking the exam?

A

Interviews are available until just before the application is submitted. Ideally, you should decide where you want to apply as soon as possible, but if you have any doubts, talk at length with many professors. Past entrance examinations for the Master's and doctoral courses are available on our website. Please take a look for reference.

Q

Is it possible to request a laboratory in an affiliated graduate school?

A

Laboratories in the Department of Biological Sciences are available, but the number of students who can be assigned to them is small.

Q

Can I decide on a laboratory after taking the entrance exam? Do I have to decide before taking the exam?

A

Please fill out the application form up to your second choice as much as possible. You may change your choice after the announcement of acceptance.

Q

If I only have a first choice, do I have to fill in my second choice at the time of application filing?

A

Although it has no bearing on acceptance or rejection, please write up to your second choice as much as possible, as we need to adjust your assignment.

Q

If there is a high concentration of applicants in one lab, is it in order of grade?

A

Basically, it is in order of performance.

Q

On the application form, there is a section where you write the name of the major you want to apply for. Is it done in a certain way?

A

After the entire group of applicants has been accepted or rejected in the order of their grades, laboratory assignments will be adjusted. Since there is a limit to the number of students who can be assigned to a laboratory, the second choice may be selected, but in that case, the successful applicant's wishes will be considered in determining the laboratory to which he/she will be assigned. It is possible to change to a laboratory other than the one requested on the application form, and it is also possible to change laboratories after admission.

Q

I know that multiple majors can apply for one lab, but is there a fixed quota of "~ people from this major" in the lab?

A

It is broadly defined.

Q

When will I be assigned to a laboratory?

A

This is the period between the announcement of acceptance and enrollment. Accepted applicants are encouraged to contact the professor of the laboratory to which they wish to apply and the chief academic officer (edugrad@bio.sci.osaka-u.ac.jp).

Q

If I pass the exam, will I be sure to get into the lab I want to enter?

A

In some cases, you may end up in the laboratory of your second choice, but there are 34 laboratories in the department, so you will be able to find a research location that meets your needs. It is possible to change to a laboratory other than the one you requested on your application, and it is also possible to change laboratories after admission.

Q

I know it varies a bit from lab to lab, but roughly how many people are in one lab?

A

It varies from lab to lab, but usually it is one to three.