Faculty of Science Diploma Policy and Curriculum Policy*
Diploma Policy
The Faculty of Science at the University of Tokyo has 10 departments: Mathematics, Information Science, Physics, Astronomy, Earth and Planetary Physics, Earth and Planetary Environmental Science, Chemistry, Biophysics and Biochemistry, Biological Sciences, and Bioinformatics and Systems Biology. Each department provides a world-class education following the School of Science Charter and confers a Bachelor of Science degree on students who have fulfilled the following academic requirements.
- Have acquired the basic academic skills necessary to systematically understand the mechanisms of the natural world
- Have an interest in the workings of the natural world and the ability to explore a new understanding of it
- Have the ability to apply their scientific background and contribute creatively to various aspects of society
- Have high ethical standards and the ability to contribute responsibly to the sustainable and peaceful development of human society
Curriculum Policy
The Faculty of Science at the University of Tokyo fosters students who fulfill the requirements detailed in the Diploma Policy above. The curricula are organized and implemented based on the objectives detailed below.
- Train graduates to systematically acquire the basic knowledge of an area of study and think flexibly without being biased toward a single specialized field
- Provide students with opportunities for independent discussion and debate with faculty members, not only through lectures but also individual tutoring, small-group classes, and seminars, so that students master truly creative academic methodology
- Provide hands-on practice, through which students learn the importance of independent questioning and contemplation, as theory is inseparable from experimentation, observation, and fieldwork in scientific education and research
- Create an environment that allows students to proactively enhance their field-specific expertise by offering elective and elective mandatory courses in addition to the mandatory courses in each department
- Provide opportunities for students to take courses in other departments and faculties to create an environment that allows them to acquire a broad understanding of the natural sciences in addition to their field-specific expertise
- Develop students’ English communication skills and global mindset through academic English classes
- Proactively recruit international students and enhance the curriculum of the Global Science Course to foster internationally-minded graduates with a global network
- Provide lectures on research ethics to foster graduates with high ethical standards
- Establish criteria to grade students based on examinations, assignments, attendance, and other factors to appropriately reflect their academic performance in each course
Departmental Curriculum Policies
Department of Mathematics
The Department of Mathematics is committed to educating students such that they can acquire an in-depth knowledge of the mathematical sciences which, afterwards, will allow them to play an active role in the various areas associated with the field.
Mathematics education at the University of Tokyo has driven the training of mathematical science researchers of international renown, and the Department is intent on continuing this tradition.
More generally however, the Department aims to foster individuals who can use their expertise to play an active role in society, as recent social developments have increased the demand for expertise in this field.
Our curriculum is structured to provide a comprehensive education in the mathematical sciences, building on core principles of algebra, geometry, analysis, and applied mathematics in the third year.
In the fourth year, students deepen their understanding through small-group seminars.
Department of Information Science
The advance of information technology, especially the development of computers and networks, has formed today's information society. Therefore, theoretical research on the foundations of computation and intelligence, as well as education and research on computer systems and networks are of paramount importance. Furthermore, there is an urgent need for education and research on the efficient utilization of computer resources, for example, in the implementation of genetic analysis, database systems, computer graphics and natural language processing. The Department of Information Science, Faculty of Science, aims to provide students with fundamental skills in computer science and its applications, which form the foundation of information science and technology, and an understanding of the software and hardware needed to develop information systems, all while nurturing the creativity that is key to developing the information science of the future.
Department of Physics
The purpose of physics is to provide a unified understanding of Nature through simple, fundamental laws that underlie the structure and phenomena of matter at various levels, from elementary particles, atomic nuclei, atoms, molecules, condensed matter, and biological systems to the universe itself. The Department of Physics centers its undergraduate curriculum around this broad spectrum of research and the idea of integrating creative activity with educational practice. The Department’s primary goal is thus not to deliver piecemeal knowledge, but to provide experiences through which students learn how to think like physicists, how to approach research in the natural sciences, and how to cultivate logical clarity and thoroughness, all of which form the basis for a variety of scholarly endeavors. Compulsory courses in the second and third years emphasize hands-on exercises and experimental practice. Seminars are held in small groups to nurture students’ individuality and expose them to the cutting edge of research. In the fourth year, students are assigned to different laboratories in the spring and fall semesters to work on experimental or theoretical research.
Department of Astronomy
Astronomy is one of the oldest academic disciplines, yet it is a field bursting with novelty, demonstrating remarkable developments in recent years. The Department of Astronomy aims to foster individuals who can independently study the fundamentals of modern astronomy and through this acquire a perspective on the universe. As a knowledge of physics is crucial for understanding the field of astronomy, students are required to take courses offered by the Department of Physics, in addition to mandatory courses in astronomy. Furthermore, the Department provides training in astronomical observation, through which students learn basic techniques, have the opportunity to use state-of-the-art equipment, and gain experience at the cutting edge of research. There are very few universities in Japan that offer a curriculum covering the fundamentals of astronomy, and the Department thus bears a heavy responsibility for education in this field. Although we anticipate that most students will go on to graduate school, we are also aware of the need to foster broad-minded graduates who can contribute to various other areas of society.
Department of Earth and Planetary Physics
The field of Earth and Planetary Science is concerned with the study of the Earth and other planets, the fluid spheres that surround them, and the interplanetary space between them. Investigation of such phenomena requires a background in physics and the mathematical sciences, as well as familiarity with a wide range of research methods, including surveys and observations that factor in the diversity and complexity of nature; experiments, analyses, and theories that underpin the universal laws governing this diversity and complexity; and simulations to understand the system as a unified whole. The Department works with the Department of Earth and Planetary Environmental Science and the Department of Physics to offer a curriculum that aims to provide students with an understanding of the fundamental concepts and methodology used in Earth and planetary science, as well as the physics and applied mathematics that form the foundations of the field. Because this field deals with large scales and complex systems, skills in analysis of observational data and simulation methods are also emphasized. As many of our students go on to study in the Department of Earth and Planetary Science at the Graduate School of Science, the curriculum is organized to be consistent with that of the graduate program.
Department of Earth and Planetary Environmental Science
To gain an understanding of the present global environment and envision its future, it is essential to develop an understanding of the physical, chemical, and biological principles that govern the evolution and variation of the Earth and other planetary environments on various temporal and spatial scales. The Department of Earth and Planetary Environmental Science aims to describe the evolution of the Earth, other planets, and their environments; the origin, evolution, and extinction of life; and the relationships between them. To foster such an overarching perspective, the Department focuses on developing students’ empirical understanding of natural phenomena through field observations and laboratory analyses of the materials that make up the planets, geological strata that have kept a record of past environmental changes, and fossils that provide evidence of the evolution of organisms, in addition to observations of the current global environment and its ecosystems. Education in the Department also emphasizes the basic academic and critical thinking skills necessary to achieve these aims.
Department of Chemistry
Chemistry, which explores and reveals the world of matter and life at the molecular level, forms the core of the basic sciences and is closely related to the other natural sciences and a wide range of applied technologies. The Department of Chemistry aims to foster graduates who will play an active role at the intersection of chemistry and society, and places special emphasis on training the future pioneers of international chemistry research. To achieve this aim, the Department offers an extensive and well-balanced curriculum in English covering physical chemistry, organic chemistry, inorganic chemistry, analytical chemistry, molecular biology, and molecular informatics that is led by faculty members who are themselves conducting cutting-edge research. This curriculum equips students with advanced knowledge, deep insight, and a broad perspective. In addition, the Department cultivates insight, critical thinking, and creativity by providing hands-on laboratory experience in the synthesis of complex molecules and the observation, measurement, and elucidation of their various properties and phenomena. Furthermore, through close communication between students and faculty members, the Department aims to foster graduates with a strong sense of responsibility toward the future of the field
Department of Biophysics and Biochemistry
The field of biophysics and biochemistry aims to uncover the essence of biological phenomena by conducting broad analyses grounded in physics, chemistry, biochemistry, and molecular biology. The field investigates how the structure and function (interaction) of molecules are related to biological phenomena and is expected to produce new developments and breakthrough discoveries. The Department of Biophysics and Biochemistry currently has five laboratories covering a diverse range of research within the field, and aims to train students to understand biological phenomena from a broad perspective. To this end, the Department offers courses in biochemistry and molecular biology, and the curriculum also allows students to select courses provided by the Department of Chemistry, the Department of Physics, and the Department of Biological Sciences. Laboratory courses are mandatory, and students are expected to master the basic experimental skills necessary for research in biochemistry and molecular biology.
Department of Biological Sciences
Despite the wide diversity of species, organisms share common evolutionary and genomic rules. Today, it is also becoming clear that the species and genetic diversity on Earth is vital for human well-being. To comprehend the basic principles of biological diversity and universality, the Department of Biological Sciences offers two main courses: one in anthropology (Course A) and the other in basic biology (Course B: zoology and botany). The curricula highlight the distinctiveness of each course, while also incorporating joint lectures and hands-on practice that are relevant to both fields. The Department explores biological phenomena ranging from the micro to macro scale, and its research and education adopt approaches from a variety of fields, including biochemistry, molecular biology, cell biology, genetics, developmental biology, physiology, morphology, ecology, and phylogenetics. The practical courses, most of which are given as compulsory subjects, allow students to directly interact with nature and various organisms to study the phenomena of life. The Department aims to foster students' abilities to identify new challenges related to the diversity and universality of biological phenomena and learn about them independently.
Department of Bioinformatics and Systems Biology
Bioinformatics and systems biology are new academic fields that integrate biology and computer science. The Department of Bioinformatics and Systems Biology was established in 2007. The fields differ from conventional life sciences in that they handle big data as a system; examples include analyzing genome sequences and molecular interaction networks, and simulating dynamics of intracellular molecules in response to external stimuli. Core lectures focus on both life and information sciences as well as bioinformatics and systems biology. Basic experiments in biology and informatics are mandatory. In addition, through practical training that combines computer programming and genome experiments, the Department also places emphasis on developing practical skills related to these new fields.
Note
*The Japanese version is the authoritative version, and this English translation is intended for reference purposes only. Should any discrepancies or doubts arise between the two versions, the Japanese version will prevail.