Educational/Research Objectives and Policies | Faculty of Life Sciences

Department of Advanced Life Sciences
Department of Industrial Life Sciences

Educational and Research Objectives

The Department of Life Sciences aims to cultivate quality human resources who can apply specialized knowledge and techniques particular to the life sciences. Students are encouraged to understand and solve various issues relating to the field so that they can ultimately contribute to the creation of a healthy, abundant society.

The Department of Advanced Life Sciences aims to cultivate individuals that possess specialized life science knowledge and skills in order to understand issues in the field, contribute to society by proposing and implementing required solutions, and advance the field by research and development.

The Department of Industrial Life Sciences aims to cultivate individuals that possess foundational life science knowledge and an understanding of the social sciences, who can understand the composite problems that arise in contemporary society using life science and social science perspectives, as well as contribute to society by proposing and implementing their particular solutions.

Policies

Department of Advanced Life Sciences

Diploma Policy

All participating students will have to acquire the following four abilities and study in accordance with their department’s curriculum in order to be granted permission to graduate and be awarded a bachelor’s degree in Life Sciences:

The ability to properly perceive and understand the various issues in contemporary society from a life science perspective.
The ability to identify issues related to the life sciences and to propose solutions to them, using life sciences knowledge and skills as well as logical thinking.
Be comfortable to actively share one’s proposals, and the ability to have people understand these by providing logical explanations based on life science knowledge.
The ability and intention to actively fulfill one’s role while cooperating in society with diverse people based on respect for life and proper life science ethics.

Acquire Specialized Knowledge and Skills

A. Students will acquire cutting-edge, wide-ranging knowledge in the life sciences.

B. Students will acquire the skills necessary to carry out life science experiments as well as foundational abilities for solving problems.

C. Students will acquire in-depth knowledge and advanced experimental skills relating to a specific field in the life sciences.

D. Students will acquire specialized knowledge and skills for being involved in the life science-related professions.

Acquire Versatile Knowledge and Skills

A. Students will be able to apply the scientific method (for example, verify the results of experiments, or logically construct their opinions for the advancement of cutting-edge research).

B. Students will acquire integrated knowledge regarding the relationship between the life sciences and other fields in the natural sciences.

C. Students will be able to correctly perceive issues relate to life sciences as well as present solutions based on creative thinking.

D. Students will be able to explain the results of research for the advancement of cutting-edge research using clear writing and effective presentations.

E. Students will be able to communicate in English about basic content (information, etc.) related to the life sciences.

Attitudes, Orientations

A. An unyielding desire to actively use the knowledge and skills acquired by studying the life sciences for the peace and welfare of humanity.

B. The desire to collect the most recent information and continue to learn without falling behind in the particular developments of the life sciences in order to improve one’s own expertise and experimental skills.

Curriculum Policy

To achieve the objectives described in the diploma policy, the Faculty of Life Sciences offers a systemic education using curriculum mapping and numbering based on its educational and research aims. This curriculum is comprised of shared subjects, integrated education subjects, and specialized subjects.

After taking foundational life science subjects in their first year, students will acquire specialized knowledge and knowledge from other related fields in a step-by-step fashion.
By studying in a course system that is based on life science fields, students will systematically acquire knowledge in the fields that they are specializing in, as well as acquire the ability to think logically.
Through experimental subjects and special research subjects, students will acquire the practical abilities needed to engage in research and development in the life sciences or problem-solving related to the life sciences, as well as the ability to communicate and share their ideas.
Through bioethics-related subjects and special research subjects, students will acquire an advanced sense of ethics relating to life and research, as well as a drive to have life science research be useful in the creation of a healthy and abundant society.

1. Educational Content and Methods

Knowledge and Skills in Specialized Fields

A. Specialized subjects taught through lectures and practicums during the first years of studying will allow students to understand general concepts and knowledge in biology and chemistry. This will serve as the foundation for their study of the life sciences. Furthermore, they will also acquire in practicums the ability to analyze research data and summarize the relevant findings, as well as the computer skills needed to create presentation materials. Students will broadly study the outlines of the life sciences as a whole, as well as understand the relationships between the content of each of the subjects, and what information they require to improve their expertise. This will put in place the foundation required for their learning in this department.

B. In experimental subjects starting in the fall semester of the first year, students will acquire the necessary knowledge and abilities to carry out experiments and create a skills foundation for understanding and putting into practice the life sciences.

C. From the spring semester of their second year, students will choose their primary course in order to establish a direction for their learning in the life sciences. By learning in this step-by-step fashion, students are specialized in a life science subject by the third year (starting with foundational subjects and then moving onto intermediate courses) and acquire specialized knowledge that can be connected to special research subjects and further developed. There are three primary course options comprised of different groups of subjects in accordance with the life science field. By selecting one of these courses, students will acquire systematic, in-depth knowledge in related fields.

D. From the fall semester of their third year and continuing into their fourth year, students take special research subjects. In these subjects, students will choose a research theme related to the life sciences and engage in research that primarily consists of experiments. By making use of their specialized knowledge and experimental skills to engage in their research, students acquire deeper knowledge and more advanced experimental skills, as well as practicums, research, and developmental abilities.

Versatile Knowledge and Skills

A. Students will understand the outlines of the life sciences by taking specialized subjects in their first year. Furthermore, by taking the shared subjects specified in the university’s curriculum policy, students will understand the relationship of the life sciences to the other natural science fields, as well as the humanities and social sciences. In doing so, students will grasp the location of the life sciences in society as well as societal issues related to the life sciences and understand the direction the field is heading.

B. By taking specialized subjects, students will understand scientific ways of thinking, acquiring foundational life science knowledge and the ability to explain this knowledge to others.

C. Through the reports assigned in specialized subjects (including experimental subjects), as well as the need to complete a graduation thesis and other aspects of special research subjects, students will acquire the ability to present quantitative and qualitative information, as well as write from an objective perspective.

D. With the deep knowledge and advanced experimental skills acquired in experimental subjects and special research subjects as a foundation, students will be able to identify various problems related to the life sciences, as well as propose solutions.

E. For example, by taking special research courses, students will acquire the ability to give effective presentations using computers.

F. By taking English-language shared subjects and specialized subjects, students will improve their foundational English abilities and understanding of specialized terminology, as well as acquire the ability to communicate in English.

Attitudes, Orientations

A. Students will acquire an advanced sense of the ethics surrounding life and research through specialized subjects and special research subjects related to bioethics.

B. In order to contribute to the realization of a healthy, abundant society, students will cultivate the drive to actively use specialized knowledge and advanced experimental skills that they have acquired from specialized subjects.

C. Through specialized subjects, including special research subjects, students will acquire an understanding of the speed of progress in the life sciences and societal change in general, as well as cultivate their ambition to continually learn about the current developments in science and technology and develop their own expertise.

2. Learning Outcome Assessment

Learning outcome assessments in each subject will be based on the grade assessment methods established in the syllabus.

Admission Policy

Through their four-year education at the university based on the curriculum policy, the Faculty of Life Sciences aims to have all students grow into quality human resources that have attained the qualities outlined in the diploma policy. In addition to the basic academic abilities required for studying the life sciences, the faculty therefore seeks applicants with the following qualities:

Individuals with a strong interest in life science-related phenomena and issues, as well as the desire to think about their nature and solutions.
Individuals interested in learning cutting-edge life science experiment skills and research methods.
Individuals with a strong desire to learn and use life science, humanities, and social science knowledge in the construction of a healthy, abundant society.
Individuals with a tolerant outlook and diverse values who actively try to interact with people both inside and outside of Japan.

Applicants will be selected using diverse methods that are outlined in the university’s admissions policy. This faculty has two distinctive types of so-called Admissions Office (AO) application selection methods: essay or department test. The admissions process thus allows for students with abilities that are not reflected in traditional written examinations to apply.

Department of Industrial Life Sciences

Diploma Policy

All participating students will have to acquire the following four abilities and study in accordance with their department’s curriculum in order to be granted permission to graduate and be awarded a bachelor’s degree in Life Sciences:

The ability to properly perceive and understand the various issues in contemporary society from a life science perspective.
The ability to identify issues related to the life sciences and to propose solutions to them, using life sciences knowledge and skills as well as logical thinking.
Be comfortable to actively share one’s proposals, and the ability to have people understand these by providing logical explanations based on life science knowledge.
The ability and intention to actively fulfill one’s role while cooperating in society with diverse people based on respect for life and proper life science ethics.

Acquire Specialized Knowledge and Skills

A. Students will acquire foundational and wide-ranging knowledge in the life sciences and related fields (humanities and social sciences).

B. Students will learn research and survey methods for investigating issues and acquire the foundational abilities required to solve them using life sciences and related fields in the humanities and social sciences as a foundation.

C. Students will deepen their knowledge and learn the appropriate research and survey methods regarding a specific field in the life sciences.

D. Students will acquire specialized knowledge and skills for engaging in professions that make use of the life sciences.

Acquire Versatile Knowledge and Skills

A. Students will be able to apply the scientific method (for example, verify the results of research and surveys, or be able to logically construct their opinions to solve various issues in society).

B. Students will acquire integrated knowledge regarding the relationship between the life sciences and other fields in the natural sciences, as well as the human and social sciences.

C. Students will be able to correctly perceive life science-related issues as well as present solutions based on creative thinking. Students will also be able to propose new ways to make use of science and technologies.

D. Students will be able to explain the results of research in order to solve societal problems using clear writing and effective presentations.

E. Students will be able to communicate in English about basic content (information, etc.) related to the life sciences, as well as related fields in the human and social sciences.

Attitudes, Orientations

A. An unyielding desire to actively use the knowledge and ability to investigate problems acquired by studying the life sciences and related fields for the peace and welfare of humanity.

B. The desire to collect the most recent information and continue to learn without falling behind in the particular developments of the life sciences and society in order to improve one’s own expertise and problem-solving skills.

Curriculum Policy

To achieve the objectives described in the diploma policy, the Faculty of Life Sciences offers a systemic education using curriculum mapping and numbering based on its educational and research aims. This curriculum is comprised of shared subjects, integrated education subjects, and specialized subjects.

After taking foundational life science subjects in their first year, students will acquire specialized knowledge and knowledge from other related fields in a step-by-step fashion.
By studying in a course system that is based on life science fields, students will systematically acquire knowledge in the fields that they are specializing in, as well as acquire the ability to think logically.
Through experimental subjects and special research subjects, students will acquire the practical abilities needed to engage in research and development in the life sciences or problem-solving related to the life sciences, as well as the ability to communicate and share their ideas.
Through bioethics-related subjects and special research subjects, students will acquire an advanced sense of ethics relating to life and research, as well as a drive to have life science research be useful in the creation of a healthy and abundant society.

1. Educational Content and Methods

Knowledge and Skills in Specialized Fields

A. Specialized subjects taught through lectures and practicums during the first years of studying will allow students to understand general concepts and knowledge in biology and chemistry. This will serve as the foundation for their study of the life sciences. Furthermore, they will also acquire in practicums the ability to analyze research data and summarize the relevant findings, as well as the computer skills needed to create presentation materials. Students will broadly study the outlines of the life sciences as a whole, as well as understand the relationships between the content of subjects and the life sciences and society in general, thereby putting in place the foundation for their learning in this department.

B. In experimental subjects starting in the fall semester of the second year, students will acquire the knowledge and abilities necessary to carry out experiments and cultivate the foundational abilities required for understanding and putting into practice the life sciences.

C. From the spring semester of their second-year students will choose their primary course in order to establish a direction for their learning in the life sciences. By learning in this step-by-step fashion, students are specialized in a life science and social science subject by their third year (starting with foundational subjects and then moving onto intermediate courses). Students will acquire specialized knowledge that they will then connect to special research subjects to further develop. There are three primary course options comprised of different groups of subjects in accordance with the life science and social science field. By selecting one of these courses, students will acquire systematic and deep knowledge in related fields.

D. From the fall semester of their third year and continuing into their fourth year, students take special research subjects. In these subjects, students decide upon a contemporary life science research theme related to society, and investigate issues using their specialized knowledge and abilities. By doing so, students acquire in-depth knowledge and the ability to solve problems in the real world.

Versatile Knowledge and Skills

A. Students will understand the outlines of the life sciences by taking specialized subjects in their first year. Furthermore, students will understand the relationship of the life sciences to the other natural science fields, as well as the humanities and social sciences by taking from their second year onwards the department’s specialized subjects as well as the shared subjects laid out in the university’s curriculum policy. In doing so, students will grasp the location of the life sciences in society as well as societal issues related to the life sciences and understand the direction the field is heading.

B. By taking specialized subjects, students will understand scientific ways of thinking, acquiring foundational life science knowledge and the ability to explain this knowledge to others.

C. Through the reports assigned in specialized subjects (including experimental subjects), as well as the need to complete a graduation thesis and other aspects of special research subjects, students will acquire the ability to present quantitative and qualitative information, as well as write from an objective perspective.

D. With the deep knowledge and advanced experimental skills acquired in experimental subjects and special research subjects as a foundation, students will be able to identify various problems related to the life science-related problems, as well as propose solutions. In other words, students will also acquire the ability to put to use their life science skills in society.

E. By taking special research courses, students will acquire the ability to give effective presentations using computers.

F. By taking English-language shared subjects and specialized subjects, students will improve their foundational English abilities and understanding of specialized terminology, as well as acquire the ability to communicate in English.

Attitudes, Orientations

A. Students will acquire an advanced sense of the ethics surrounding life and research through specialized subjects and special research subjects related to bioethics.

B. In order to contribute to the realization of a healthy, abundant society, students will cultivate the drive to actively use specialized knowledge and advanced experimental skills that they have acquired from specialized subjects.

C. Through specialized subjects, including special research subjects, students will acquire an understanding of the speed of progress in the life sciences and societal change in general, as well as cultivate their ambition to continually learn about the current developments in science, technology and societal conditions, and develop their own expertise.

2. Learning Outcome Assessment

Learning outcome assessments in each subject will be based on the grade assessment methods established in the syllabus.

Admissions Policy

Through their four-year education at the university based on the curriculum policy, the Faculty of Life Sciences aims to have all students grow into quality human resources that have attained the qualities outlined in the diploma policy. In addition to the basic academic abilities required for studying the life sciences, the faculty therefore seeks applicants with the following qualities:

Individuals with a strong interest in life science-related phenomena and issues, as well as the desire to think about their nature and solutions.
Individuals interested in societal problems related to the life sciences and their solutions.
Individuals with a strong desire to learn and use life science, humanities, and social science knowledge in the construction of a healthy, abundant society.
Individuals with a tolerant outlook and diverse values who actively try to interact with people both inside and outside of Japan.

Applicants will be selected using diverse methods that are outlined in the university’s admissions policy. This faculty has two distinctive types of so-called Admissions Office (AO) application selection methods: essay or department test. The admissions process thus allows for students with abilities that are not reflected in traditional written examinations to apply. In addition to a science test, a humanities test is also taken, which allows students with outstanding reading comprehension and expressive abilities who are interested in the social sciences to apply also.