To develop the talents of students strongly interested in the biological sciences, our program offers a spectrum of courses, from foundational topics to highly specialized lectures. We provide intensive courses and seminars taught by internationally acclaimed experts, and provide the option for students to earn credits by attending specialized lectures in Japanese. We facilitate seminars and events designed to foster departmental collaboration and external networking. Uniquely, our students engage in three semesters of research on their own project—a rare opportunity at the undergraduate level in many parts of the world.
Undergraduate Courses
During the first year, students attend common university-wide lectures, including Japanese language and humanities lectures, to acquire a broad base of knowledge and to learn diverse ways of thinking. Faculty from the Department of Biological Science contribute to these lectures, offering students insights into pioneering biological research.
Starting in the second year, the curriculum intensifies focus on biology, expanding the number of biology lectures and introducing laboratory courses to practice fundamental experimental techniques.
From the third year, students are exposed to advanced specialized lectures delivered by leading researchers in diverse biological fields such as neuroscience, biochemistry, plant physiology, taxonomy, reproductive biology, and biophysics. Additionally, intensive lectures and seminars by visiting researchers cover current issues and specialized areas not included in the standard curriculum.
In the spring of their third year, students select a laboratory that aligns with their interests to initiate their graduation research project. This involvement in advanced research extends over three semesters, culminating in a thesis that students must defend through an oral presentation before their graduation.
Graduate Courses
There are 26 research groups in the Department of Biological Science, including the Gene Experimental Facility, Sugashima Marine Research Institute, and the Institute of Transformative Bio-Molecules (ITbM). Graduate students can study in any of these research groups to conduct graduate school research. Students will join a research group and receive guidance from a main supervisor, supported by two additional mentors from different groups, fostering a robust triad mentorship system.
In the first year of the master’s program, students can select from among ten graduate-level courses that are broadly aligned with their chosen specialization. Beyond their individual research topics, these courses contribute to building the foundational knowledge essential for graduate studies. This approach enables students to develop a comprehensive array of skills, knowledge, and perspectives through interdisciplinary and intensive courses
Biophysics Course |
---|
Physical Chemistry Course |
Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry Course |
Organic Chemistry Course |
Bioinformatics and Systems Biology Course |
Genetics and Biochemistry Course |
Morphology and Function Course |
Behavior and Ecology Course |
Interdisciplinary Science Course |
International Science Course |