Biological Sciences

The Department of Biological Sciences conducts research into the countless organisms that have emerged and evolved over the past 4 billion years on Earth, studying their activities and underlying mechanisms. Students can specialize in zoology, botany, or anthropology, engaging in research both in laboratories and in the field.

The Department of Biological Sciences is characterized by a high faculty-to-student ratio, allowing for meticulous guidance in education and research. Additionally, the department offers a wealth of practical learning opportunities, providing an environment where students can learn across all fields of biology, from molecular biology to ecology. The diverse expertise of the faculty ensures that research is conducted at multiple levels, from molecules to populations, across a wide array of biological disciplines.

【Academic features】

Diverse Practical Courses in the Third Year, Immersive Research in the Fourth Year

In the second year, students study the basics of biology. In the third year, they are divided into two tracks: the A [Anthropology] track, primarily focused on anthropology, and the B [Biology] track, centered on basic biology (zoology and botany). Students in both tracks can choose from a variety of practical courses. For instance, the A track offers hands-on anatomy classesin collaboration with the medical school, as well as fieldwork in excavation and primate behavioral observation. The B track provides opportunities to engage with animals and plants through practical courses at affiliated facilities such as the Misaki Marine Biological Stations and the Koishikawa and Nikko Botanical Gardens, alongside field-based learning.

The Department of Biological Sciences’s building, located in the Faculty of Science’s second building on the Hongo campus, features a dedicated lounge for third-year students, where they can deepen their understanding of biology while fostering friendships with their peers.

In the fourth year, students are free to select a research laboratory, regardless of their previous track. After participating in two lab rotations in the first half of the year, students dive into their graduation research, typically over the course of six months. Some students even have the opportunity to study abroad during the first half of the year. Graduation research offers the chance to immerse oneself in world-leading research in diverse scientific fields.

For those interested in the Department of Biological Sciences, we encourage you to take the comprehensive course E, Modern Biology.

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