Earth and Planetary Physics

Examines various phenomena occurring on Earth and other planets in the solar system and even beyond from a physics standpoint. The curriculum includes physics and mathematics, field observations, laboratory experiments, as well as computer programming.

【Academic features】

Studying the Physics of Familiar Phenomena

Earth and planetary physics is a field of study that seeks to elucidate the physics of phenomena occurring on the Earth and planets, either individually or as an entire system. With advances in observations, experiments, and simulations, our understanding of the Earth's atmosphere, oceans, and interior has continued to deepen, and with the latest developments in space exploration, our subjects of interest have expanded to include the solar system, outer space, and even exoplanets.

Pure and Applied Sciences

The desire to understand the nature of weather and earthquakes, and to predict and mitigate related disasters is a major motivation for the study of Earth and planetary physics. The discipline has two perspectives, as a pure science and as an applied science. Today, human activities affect the entire Earth, and in addition to natural disasters caused by events such as typhoons, torrential rains, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions, environmental changes such as climate change and global warming are also the subject of study in this department.

Education in the Department of Earth and Planetary Physics

Up to their third year, our students learn physics and mathematics together with their peers from the Departments of Physics and Astronomy, and also learn about theories, observations, experiments, and simulations that form the basis of research in earth and planetary physics in the department's own classes and seminars. In their fourth year, students explore the earth, its atmosphere and ocean, and planets in more detail. In the S semester, students engage with research in earth and planetary physics through small-group readings of the scientific literature and practical work, and in the A semester, students conduct cutting-edge research of their own choosing.

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