The group discussion and projects in the core courses are based on problem-based learning (Martens 2007). Specifically, students discuss issues in sustainability from different perspectives, such as the use of biomass energy, water management, knowledge structuring of sustainability, and urban design for low carbon emissions. These

activities are intended to: (1) integrate the theories, (2) bridge the gap between the theories and practices, and (3) develop students’ communication and practical skills for challenging sustainability issues. Sustainability associate courses (elective) Sustainability associate courses deal with topics related to sustainability. The current associate courses had already existed in the ordinary master’s curricula before our program started. We first investigated the contents of most courses in the master’s Hedgehog inhibitor mTOR inhibitor program at Osaka University and selected potential courses for associate courses. We then contacted instructors to ask them if their courses could also be credited as a sustainability associate course in the RISS program. The selection criteria for the sustainability associate courses are one or more of the following: (1) to deepen the knowledge of the global, human, and social systems, (2) to learn ethical

attitudes of scientists and engineers, (3) to deal with useful skills for sustainability practices. The courses selected according to the first criterion include: Environmental Psychology, Environmental Law, Economics and the Environment, Urban Design, Energy Demand Systems, and Bio-engineering. The courses selected according to the second and third criteria are Science and Technology, and Science and Technology Communications. Outline of the RISS program and educational activities Table 3 presents the number of enrolled students and their composition. As of the spring

semester of 2008, 22 students are enrolled on our program. These students are from four different schools: Telomerase Engineering, Engineering Science, Economics, and Human Science. Among the 22 enrolled students, 17 students are from the School of Engineering, but belong to different departments, including Environment and Sustainable Energy, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Material Science, and Bio-engineering and Life Science.5 Table 3 Composition of students   Spring semester 2008 Engineering 17 Engineering Science 1 Economics 3 Human Science 1 Total 22 Contents of the program courses and educational activities In the core courses, exercise opportunities were offered to students in between the lectures, where students were given a specific issue within the theme. In Engineering System Design for Sustainability, one of the sustainability core courses offered in the spring semester of 2008, we conducted a team project “Chk inhibitor pursuing a sustainable city.