Science is a relentless pursuit of universal truths in Nature driven by the curiosity of individuals. Scientists ask: How did the Universe begin? What is its fate? What is it made of? What are its fundamental laws? How did life begin? How did life evolve? How do cells in the brain work together to make the human mind? Is there life beyond the Earth? The list of such fascinating questions goes on. The School of Science at the University of Tokyo invites you to join this intriguing quest to find answers to these questions. At the School of Science we train you to learn and study science and provide exciting opportunities to conduct your own scientific research. You will experience the joy of understanding and gaining new knowledge and making discoveries through the variety of Ph.D. programs we offer. In the School of Science we strive to offer world-leading research programs in both traditional and interdisciplinary fields. Our programs are highly rigorous and demanding, but you will find them rewarding.

Science has become an integral part of everyday life. You benefit, and, indeed, cannot escape, from the outcomes that Science has produced. Today, science exerts great impact on society in the same way politics, economics and culture do. Science is expected to play a major role in problem solving for many difficult societal issues. For instance, energy and environmental issues are major challenges that Science faces today. At the School of Science we train you to apply scientific knowledge and experience to solve important real-life problems and to assess their impact within a wide context. The School of Science has introduced many programs to enhance academic cooperation with industries and to promote social application of scientific knowledge and methods.

In Science, there are no barriers of gender, national borders, religion or language. The School of Science considers respect for cultural and ethnic diversity on campus as one of its most important core values. The School has included in its educational objectives enhancing cross-cultural interactions with diverse peers in order to stimulate the minds of students to make their academic work more professional and creative. The School offers a variety of internationalization programs designed to promote mutual understanding through exchanges of views between Japanese students and researchers and their counterparts having non-Japanese backgrounds about their research and scientific developments. We offer programs to foster wider perspectives and maintain the competitive edge required for the next generation of leaders by bringing together a multiplicity of experience and interests. We strive for academic excellence through its demand for ever-increasing diversity. Indeed, our commitment to diversity is stronger than ever.

Finally, let me offer a few words of advice to you, prospective graduate students. Science is truly intriguing. It is a life-long activity full of excitement. All you need to do is aim high and work hard. We invite you to join us.

Hiroaki Aihara
Dean