It is the 21st century and the society is beset by a range of problems stemming from past development that tended to waste resources. Science and technology are no longer expected to merely satisfy intellectual curiosity but are expected to play a more active role in contributing to solutions of problems facing contemporary society, such as energy problems and the aging society. To use and share limited resources effectively and promote development, there is a need to reunite specialized and fragmented academic fields and construct collaborative frameworks through cooperation. Based on this vision, at the University of Tsukuba School of Science and Engineering, we feel that the discovery of fundamental truths and principles in natural sciences and the scientific contribution to the society through technological innovation should be tackled in an integrated manner.
Based on these types of educational policies, to meet social demands from the aspect of science and technology, this school comprises three colleges in the field of sciences (Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry) that educate students on fundamentals of natural sciences and three colleges in the field of engineering (Engineering Sciences, Engineering Systems, and Policy and Planning Sciences) that educate students on engineering and technology from viewpoints of diverse functional aspects. Students not only choose subjects from the college to which they belong but because they are free to study subjects provided by other colleges, they are able to receive a comprehensive education in a wide range of fields, beginning with fundamentals and moving on to putting their knowledge into practice.
Mathematics is an epic universe generated by the brain. Why not pursue the allure of mathematics?
To College of Mathematics homepage
Mathematics is a language for explaining theories of natural phenomena and science and technology, and it is an essential academic discipline for humanity. At present, mathematical techniques are applied in every aspect of the society and the use of mathematics is becoming increasingly sophisticated. Also, since ancient times, many people have been fascinated by the beauty and profundity of mathematics itself. In the College of Mathematics, we aim to develop human resources who, having acquired an ability in mathematical thinking and advanced theoretical knowledge through learning fundamentals and applications of modern mathematics and analyzing and solving problems, are subsequently able to function in a wide range of social arenas.
Searching for fundamental principles of the natural world, from the microscopic quantum world to the vast universe
Physics aims to shed light on fundamental laws of a range of phenomena that occur in the natural world and provides foundations for modern-day science and technology. In the College of Physics, beginning with fundamentals, students gain a firm understanding of modern physics. From here, we aim to develop human resources who, having formed an ability to consider things from fundamentals of the discipline, specialist knowledge, and a flexible intellect, subsequently progress to becoming pioneering researchers at frontiers of physics and who are able to function in a wide range of social arenas. Natural phenomena that form the target of physics extend from the world of microscopic particles to the vast world of the universe. In response to this range of scales, laws of nature also manifest in diverse forms. These natural laws have been discovered throughout the long history of the human race through experiments and observations and have become systematized using mathematics. Thus, in physics, both theory and experiment are inseparable. Furthermore, owing to recent developments in computers, research on natural sciences that uses computational devices has progressed by leaps and bounds. The curriculum in the College of Physics ensures that students are able to learn through correlating theory and experiment with the knowledge of computational devices.
Universal natural laws and limitless creativity
To College of Chemistry homepage
Chemistry is an academic discipline that researches chemical phenomena at both molecular and electronic levels and searches for universal laws in the natural world. Also, the field of chemistry extends from this type of fundamental research to research that is of use to the society, such as the development of functional substances and materials, the solution of environmental and energy problems, and the understanding of life phenomena at the molecular level. At the College of Chemistry, in addition to lectures, we have put in place a range of experiments and practicum, and thus, enabling students to concentrate on learning both fundamental knowledge and laboratory techniques that they will need to function in the vast field of chemistry.
Linking accomplishments of natural sciences with the development in society science at a microscopic level that supports cutting-edge technology
To College of Engineering Sciences homepage
New technologies that will support the society in the future have developed as foundations of understanding laws and principles of material science and natural phenomena. In the College of Engineering Sciences, students are able to learn everything from fundamentals to applications that support engineering in fields of materials, substances, device engineering, and measurements with the aim of passing on accomplishments in natural sciences to the society. This college comprises four majors: (1.) Applied Physics, which teaches students about applications of measuring techniques and principles of physics; (2.) Quantum and Electronic Engineering, which teaches students about electronics nanotechnologies for the future; (3.) Applied Condensed Matter Physics, which teaches students about new materials and methodologies for investigating functions of materials on both practical and theoretical levels; and (4.) Materials and Molecular Engineering, which teaches students about the composition and functions of materials from the perspective of molecules.
A dynamic cross-sectional curriculum that aims at creating a new type of engineering
The aim of this college is to help each student establish his/her own existential foundations and to develop engineers having a high potential who, as future leaders of the society, have a wide overall vision that enables them to develop, design, create, manage and run artificial systems that support people’s lives, and thus, become great accomplishments of science and technology. A characteristic of this college is its cross-sectional curriculum that emphasizes on fundamental academic disciplines that are common to engineering rather than imparting education divided into conventional categories of machinery, electricity, information, architecture, and civil engineering. The content of our curriculum has been accredited by the Japan Accreditation Board for Engineering Education (JABEE) in the Field of Discipline (General Engineering).
Why not try managing the society from an engineering perspective?
To College of Policy and Planning Sciences homepage
The College of Policy and Planning Sciences is an interdisciplinary academic field that aims to research and analyze complex social phenomena from diverse academic fields and construct and propose systems for solving these at levels of engineering, practice, and strategy. Students are given a thorough grounding in tools needed for research and analysis as well as in presentation and debating skills. Classes cover a diverse range of specialist fields, including engineering, economics, statistics, politics, sociology, and psychology. This college comprises three majors: (1.) Social and Economic Sciences, which analyzes social and economic structures; (2.) Management Science and Engineering, which provides the scientific management of businesses and organizations; and (3.) Urban and Regional Planning, which deals with issues surrounding urban, regional, and town development.