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Chemistry

Chemistry

Overview of the Department

The Department of Chemistry is one of the oldest departments of the University. It consists of three divisions: the Physical Chemistry Division, the Organic Chemistry Division, and the Inorganic & Analytical Chemistry Division.

The master's course curriculum has been developed with the objective of ensuring that students acquire essential knowledge and facility in experimental techniques in all branches of chemistry by taking subjects that are directly related to their own research fields. In the master's program, they are also required to carry out research at the highest possible level. In the doctoral course, students are expected not only to maintain the quality of their research at the highest level but also to enhance their abilities to advise lower-level students on various relevant matters.

https://www.chem.s.u-tokyo.ac.jp/en

Faculty Members

The Physical Chemistry Division is composed of three laboratories: Laboratory of Professor Goda (Structural Chemistry), Laboratory of Professor Ohkoshi (Solid State Physical Chemistry), and Professor Tsukuda (Catalytic Chemistry). The Organic Chemistry Division is composed of five laboratories: Laboratory of Professor Suga (Bioorganic Chemistry), Laboratory of Professor Kobayashi (Synthetic Organic Chemistry), Laboratory of Professor Isobe (Physical Organic Chemistry), Laboratory of Professor Campbell (Biomolecular Chemistry), and Laboratory of Professor Oguri (Natural Products Chemistry). The Inorganic & Analytical Chemistry Division consists of three laboratories: Laboratory of Professor Hitosugi (Solid State Chemistry), Laboratory of Professor Ozawa (Analytical Chemistry), and Laboratory of Professor Yamada (Inorganic Chemistry). Further information on faculty members and their research is available on the following website.

https://www.chem.s.u-tokyo.ac.jp/chem_research/index_en.html

Description of Divisions

Physical Chemistry:

The three laboratories of the Physical Chemistry Division cover various fields such as structural chemistry, which explores the structure and dynamics of molecules and molecular systems including living cells, solid state chemistry, which designs and synthesizes novel functionalized molecule-based and metal oxide magnets, quantum chemistry, which investigates the mechanisms of molecular interaction and molecular dynamics with light and catalytic chemistry, which focuses on atomically-precise synthesis and catalytic application of metal nanoclusters. Students are trained through experiments, seminars and discussions at the laboratories to acquire the skills and knowledge required to carry out advanced research.

Organic Chemistry:

The five research groups of the Organic Chemistry Division cover various fields of organic chemistry such as Bioorganic Chemistry, which invents peptidic chemical tools regulating biological events, and devises therapeutic reagents, Synthetic Organic Chemistry, which develops environmentally friendly reactions for highly efficient organic syntheses, Physical Organic Chemistry, which covers new reactions, new materials, and new principles, Biomolecular Chemistry, which uses the techniques of protein engineering and directed evolution to develop tools for visualization and control of biochemical processes in cells and animals, Natural Products Chemistry, which develops biomimetic synthetic approaches for exploration of chemical biology; and Molecular Technology Innovation Chair Laboratory, which develops new chemical principles that will exert impact on the future of chemical, biological and material sciences. Students are required to report their experimental results or generate related papers during the Organic Group Seminar, in addition to conducting their regular laboratory work. This is a unique approach of the Division different from that for classes at the Physical Chemistry and Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry Divisions.

Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry:

Research interests of the three laboratories encompass not only the traditional areas of inorganic and analytical chemistry but also many interdisciplinary areas, including materials science, surface science, electrochemistry, study of proteins, bioanalysis, and bioinorganic chemistry. Both experimental and theoretical aspects are included in the targeted areas. The basic concept underlying the education program is to develop and expand the students' knowledge of fundamental and applied chemistry through the development and application of advances in cutting-edge of technology in the fields of beautiful compounds, functional materials, and analytical methods.