Education
Students in their first year receive a thorough grounding in basic science and technology. When they advance to their second year, they take courses at the 200-levels specific to the Life Science and Technology Major. These include physical chemistry, organic chemistry, biochemistry, and molecular biology, which are imperative to the study of life science and technology. In their second and third year, students take courses that suit the research fields they wish to pursue and acquire basic expertise in life science and technology. Students will also develop ethical awareness by learning bioethics as well as related laws and regulations. Furthermore, students are required to take laboratory courses and exercise courses to develop their data analysis abilities, and to deepen their understanding in life phenomena, which enables them to cultivate knowledge and skills required of science and technology students.
The Independent Research Project and research opportunity courses are regarded as the final stage of one’s undergraduate studies. Through these courses, students learn research methods, including how to create research plans, from multiple faculty members. In the Independent Research Project, students set up a research theme together with their academic supervisors and work on improving their problem-solving skills. In addition, students develop basic cultural insight and effective international communication skills through overseas training or internship experience.
Students in their first year of undergraduate studies receive basic education that centers on Institute-wide compulsory courses regardless of their discipline. The 100-level courses are designed to teach common, basic skills that are required of science and technology students. The aims of these courses are to provide knowledge and cultivate versatile intellect necessary for studying at the Institute.
Students who complete their 100-level courses advance to study their undergraduate major. Courses at the 200- and 300-levels specific to the Life Science and Technology Major are taken in accordance with the curriculum.
At the final stage of the 300-level is the Independent Research Project (equivalent to the Undergraduate Thesis Research that was in place previously). The project is intended to serve as a capstone for students to consolidate and reinforce all of the skills acquired in their major. Furthermore, they may choose to enroll in the Advanced Independent Research Project. The purpose of this course is to enhance student interest in scientific and technological research that began with the Independent Research Project, as it provides the opportunity for them to actively engage in science- and technology-related activities.
* The timeline depicts a standard case where students complete their bachelor's degree program in four years.
Students need to pass an entrance exam to advance from a bachelor's to a master's program. To advance from a master's to a doctoral program, students must pass an advancement assessment.
Students who complete the Life Science and Technology Undergraduate Major may continue to study the same discipline in more depth by taking the Life Science and Technology Graduate Major. There are also closely related interdisciplinary graduate majors — Human Centered Science and Biomedical Engineering, and Earth-Life Science — to which students may advance.