Dating back more than 2000 years to ancient Greece, mathematics is the oldest and also the newest of the sciences. A magnificent theoretical system has been built by advancing on two fronts, “Pure Theory,” in which the beauty of mathematics is pursued through the curiosity and inquisitiveness of many people, and “Basic Science,” which applies to other fields and builds a theoretical foundation.

This department has established a curriculum that leads steadily from the basics to understanding, and aims to develop students with broad vision, endowed with the ability to think and to apply. Emphasizing also the acquisition of mathematical thought, through practical training and seminar-type classes, students learn methods for systematically conveying their own thoughts.

Physics is a branch of learning that attempts to understand theoretically the essence of nature. Particularly since the 20th century, it has achieved remarkable development and has elucidated the immense workings of nature. The applications of physics have given impetus to the development of technology and have made great contributions to contemporary civilization. Physics will surely continue to play a leading role in science and technology in the 21st century, in various fields such as the invention of new materials, the development of information technology equipment and means of communication, and space exploration.

The Department of Physics conducts education and research aimed at an understanding that ranges from the particles that form the basis of matter to the characteristics and application of the materials they compose and to the various phenomena of the universe. In education, in particular, it emphasizes “connecting with high schools and steady accumulation of basics” and “flexible application ability.” Through a tie-up with the Research Center for Space and Cosmic Evolution, substantial education in astronomy also is provided.

For thousands of years the human race has accumulated knowledge about matter and has developed technologies for dealing with it. Today, these are supporting civilization as academic fields and related technology under the name of chemistry. The basis of chemistry lies in clarifying the characteristics of materials and their transformations at the atomic and molecular levels.

In the Department of Chemistry, students learn through both lectures and experiments, which function together like the wheels on a car. Today chemistry is deeply related to physics and biology, and thus an integrated course is available that provides education spanning chemistry and these other fields. In their final year, students are assigned to particular research groups and undertake graduation research with the aim of discovering some new chemical phenomenon or gaining new concepts.

Today, as never before, biology is attracting great interest. An accurate understanding of the phenomena of life will exert a powerful influence on the fate of the earth in the future. Therefore, professionals with a broad vision of the phenomena of life are needed.

In this department, faculty members of research groups in fields such as plant physiology, plant morphology, embryology, animal physiology, ecology, population genetics, and evolutionary morphology, along with faculty members from the Center for Marine Environmental Studies, conduct a wide range of lectures and practical training, aimed at developing professionals with extensive knowledge. A wide range of research is carried out, from the cell to the ecosystem, from micro-organisms to plants and animals.

In order to achieve a comprehensive understanding of the mysterious globe, with its 4.6 billion year history, this department is engaged in education and research in the three fields of geology, petrology and mineralogy, and geophysics. A curriculum has been devised to give students direct contact with the earth, including practical fieldwork and experiments on the materials that make up the earth.

Assuming a stance of “looking at the earth globally,” the department aims to develop professionals possessing a broad viewpoint and specialized knowledge.