School of Physical Sciences

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School of Physical Sciences

The School of Physical Sciences conducts education and research in physical sciences relating to material, space, energy, and life. The five departments that constitute the School have been located at four Inter-University Research Institutes: the Institute for Molecular Science, the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan, the National Institute for Fusion Science, and the Institute for Space and Astronautical Science. These Institutes house special and large equipment impossible for general universities to accommodate, and they have implemented a great number of large-scale and internationally advanced research projects. The School is open to many foreign researchers, including visiting faculty members, postdoctoral fellows, and students, and thus offers a highly international environment.

In this excellent research environment, students experience the frontiers of physical science and devote themselves to study and research, striving to create the science of the future by themselves. The School provides a tutoring system in which at least two faculty members are assigned per student, allowing practical research with one-on-one guidance. In addition, a research assistant (RA) system has generously supported students financially and created an environment in which they can concentrate on their study and research. We hope that many motivated students will enroll in the School and grow into researchers who will play major roles in the future of physical science.

Namiki, Noriyuki
Dean
School of Physical Sciences

Special field: Planetary Science

Departments under the School

Department of Structural School of Molecular Science

Electronic states studied by photoelectron spectroscopy

Education and research are primarily concerned with a systematic unveiling of the static as well as dynamic properties of materials through real images of molecules and molecular assemblies deduced from detailed structural analyses. Advanced training and research are conducted in the field of structural molecular science with the use of new methods for detecting and analyzing dynamic structures,in addition to a variety of traditional spectroscopic and theoretical techniques for structural analysis.

Department of Functional Molecular Science

Purification of proteins by high-performance liquid chromatography

Education and research are primarily directed towards, firstly,unveiling the underlying mechanisms of various functions of materials at the atomic or molecular level, and secondly,the design and generation of new functional properties of molecules and molecular assemblies. Advanced training and research are conducted in the field of functional molecular science with an emphasis on the development of modern techniques for functional analysis and novel theoretical approaches.

Department of Astronomical Science

Subaru Telescope is located on the summit of Mauna Kea, a dormant volcano on the Big Island of Hawai'i

The Department carries out advanced education and research through a wide range of observational and theoretical researches using state-of-the-art facilities like Subaru Telescope in Hawaii, the ALMA radio telescope in Chile, and supercomputers. According to the interest, students can learn the observational and theoretical astronomies and application of cutting-edge technology as well as the design, fabrication, and testing of new observational instruments, development of new methods of data acquisition and analysis, and public outreach.

Department of Fusion Science

LHD Vacuum Vessel

Microscopic instability simulatin in core plasma of Large Helical Device by gyrokinetic particle code

To develop fusion power for a future energy source, it is necessary to research plasma physics through a complementary approach of both experimental and theoretical studies.
In this department, students learn the experimental methodology as well as engineering requirements for investigating high temperature plasma, and also learn computer simulation techniques for revealing the nature of complicated fusion plasmas.

Department of Space and Astronautical Science

The Department of Space and Astronautical Science provides an opportunity for high-level education and advanced research through theoretical studies, analysis of acquired data, and practice of advanced R&D in Astrophysics, Solar System Sciences and Space Engineering. The main feature of each major is as follows.

Astrophysics is to elucidate the origin, structure and evolution of the universe based on the observations from space.
Solar System Sciences is to understand the origin and evolution of a variety of environments, including the prebiotic materials, by examining the present status and samples of past days.
Space Engineering is to lead the future space development by providing innovative space technology. New space technology enables challenging missions in the above two scientific activities.

In addition, it is expected to cultivate not only depth of knowledge in Space Science but also the planning skills for space projects by touching on the most advanced and complex space projects.