Graduate School of Science

Ikebukuro Campus

OBJECTIVE.

Contributing to the exploration of nature

Features

Graduate School of Science

High level research in individual guidance

The Graduate School of Science consists of the four programs of Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics and Life Sciences. Their goal is to provide students with a rich foundation of knowledge, and to help them to be able to conduct independent research in order to contribute to recent developments in the natural sciences.
Participation in research with top-level faculty is the best way to develop the skills to find new research topics. With this in mind, the Graduate School of Science educates students mostly in individual instruction by the supervisor of their choice. To support these research activities, we have a support system for graduate students, including scholarships, the research assistant system, funds for graduate research, and financial support for presentations at academic conferences and research activities abroad. In addition, the Graduate School of Science has four research centers where graduate students can participate in research. The Research Center for Measurement in Advanced Sciences seeks to solve questions of basic sciences concerning the universe, matter, and space-time by experiments, observations, and theoretical considerations. The Research Center for Smart Molecules focuses on the construction and development of functional molecules and materials based on molecular design. The Research Center for Life Sciences and Research Center for Mathematical Physics are actively engaged in cutting-edge research.
Moreover there are opportunities to do research at advanced institutes in a wide range for fields in collaboration with the Institute of Physical and Chemical Research (RIKEN), the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), and others.


Medical Physics Minor Program

Students in the master or doctoral program of the Graduate School of Science at Rikkyo who have an interest in medical physics can complete the Medical Physics Minor Program. After passing a qualification exam, students can be recommended to the medical physics program at Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine.

Programs

  • Graduate Program in Physics

    Performing research of unsolved problems of the smallest elementary particles extending to the mysteries of the expanding universe.

    We investigate unsolved problems ranging from those involving small elementary particles to those of the expanding universe, through research using modern technology and facilities of physics. Although we deal with a wide range of phenomena in physics, we do not specially adopt applied physics but instead examine the more fundamental issues as the main themes for our research. At the adjoining Research Center for Measurement in Advanced Science, we develop state of the art measuring techniques and promote project-based research that applies these techniques to fundamental research. Graduate students can participate in these projects.

    Overview
    Study the broad field of modern physics
    Specific fields of research include theories, experiments, and observation of micro-particles and the universe, nuclear physics, atomic and molecular physics, astrophysics and solar physics, physics of cosmic rays and cosmic space, upper atmosphere and space physics, and planetary physics.

    Partnership with other universities and external research institutes
    We have partnerships with other universities and external research institutes, such as the Institute of Physical and Chemical Research (RIKEN), and the National Cancer Center, and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), with the objective to enhance academic and research activity in a wide range of fields, from fundamental to applied physics.
    Features of the Program
    Research and education through research laboratories
    In the Graduate Program in Physics, graduate students belong to individual research laboratories, allowing them to perform research and study within an environment where they can communicate with faculty and graduate students in adjacent fields of study. A summary of the research conducted in each laboratory is outlined below.

    Theoretical Physics Research Laboratory
    The Theoretical Physics Research Laboratory engages in theoretical research of micro-particle theory and astrophysics. The field of micro-particle theory pursues the micro-structure of matter, and astrophysics deals with the phenomena of the universe. These may seem to be at opposite ends of the spectrum. However, modern physics seeks the origin of matter in the creation of the universe and the birth and death of stars, and teaches us that the structure of the universe cannot be understood without knowledge of the composition of matter. That is to say, both these areas of study serve an essential role in understanding the structure and composition of the natural world.

    Nuclear/Radiation Physics Laboratory
    The Nuclear/Radiation Physics Laboratory engages in experiment-based study of the micro-worlds of physics, from nuclei to atoms, clusters, and crystals. Its research areas straddle fields such as atomic and molecular physics, radiation physics, radiation measurement, and surface physics, and the energy of the phenomena it treats runs the gamut from 1 MeV to 100 GeV. Although its research is broad, the individual methodologies for measurement and ways of performing research have much in common. The different groups cooperate with each other while maintaining their distinctive research themes. The laboratory also actively takes advantage of major research facilities outside of the university and engages in joint experiments with researchers both within and outside of Japan.

    Astrophysics and Earth Physics Research Laboratory
    The Astrophysics and Earth Physics Research Laboratory engages in research of auroras, objects of the solar system such as the sun, planets, moons, and planetoids, exoplanets, stars and galaxies, black holes and neutron stars, and high-energy phenomena such as supernova remnants. The laboratory also works on developing and testing cutting edge devices to employ various methods of observation from the ground and from spacecraft including balloons and satellites. Most of the laboratory’s work in observation and development/testing of devices is conducted in joint research projects with JAXA and other institutes and universities both within and outside of Japan.
  • Graduate Program in Chemistry

    Experiencing the properties and transformations of matter to learn the true charms of chemistry—The true charm of chemistry is in experiencing the properties and transformations of matter, and enjoying the creation of new kinds of matter and discovering the causes.
    Graduate students are assigned to the research offices of faculty, where they study cutting-edge research and work with unfamiliar problems.
    It is also possible to carry out research at the research offices of the graduate schools working with the Institute of Physical and Chemical Research (RIKEN) and the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST).

    Overview
    Research undertaken by students and faculty working as one
    Students engage in research of unfamiliar problems together with faculty, under the guidance of each faculty member. Additionally, the master’s program admits approximately 20 students each year, meaning that students can take part in detailed education with small class sizes.

    Active utilization of research grants
    To present their research findings, students make active use of the academic conference presentation support fund system, as well as the Graduate School’s exclusive grant for making presentations at overseas conferences (Rikkyo University College of Science 50th Anniversary Graduate Students Overseas Activities Grant).

    Numerous lessons by external lecturers
    In addition to lectures by the University faculty, we also provide numerous sessions led by lecturers invited from other universities, companies, and research institutions to discuss topics that address the needs of the contemporary era.
    Features of the Program
    Aiming for the chemistry of free molecule control based on design

    The Rikkyo University Graduate School of Science, Graduate Program in Chemistry research project “Chemistry of free molecule control based on design” has been selected in the MEXT-Supported Program for the Strategic Research Foundation at Private Universities (2013-2017). This research aims to form a unique center for research in the field of molecular techniques, which carries out development of functional molecules through closely linking together experimental small molecule synthesis and computational chemistry. Traditionally, development of functional molecules began with focusing on the functions of natural objects, and then working in a format that imitated those functions. However, that methodology limits attempts to create truly innovative functional molecules that do not exist in nature. This project aims to develop innovative functional molecules by repeating a cycle of theoretical analysis of the target function, design of a functional molecule based on this analysis, experimental synthesis of molecules from the design, and construction systems to feed the results of analyzing those molecule’s functions back into the theory. The Graduate Program in Chemistry uses the University’s Research Center for Smart Molecules as a base for this and other similar research, and continues to produce results with great expectations from the world of industry, such as development of molecules that change shape or light-generation function in response to light, synthesis catalysts for artificial light, and molecules with pharmacological effects.
  • Graduate Program in Mathematics

    Intensive study of modern mathematics, from pure to applied mathematics- Mathematics has made major advances in recent years. Even pure mathematics, like number theory and algebraic geometry, which previously have been studied only for their beauty, have become indispensable in areas such as cryptography and coding theory. The Graduate Program in Mathematics builds a foundation of knowledge to allow students to do research in current mathematics.

    Overview
    Original research and high-level education
    Our faculty engages in high-level research and education, from pure mathematics and applied mathematics.

    Experience the depth and beauty of mathematics
    While working on interesting research problems, students can experience the depth and beauty of mathematical research.

    Developing insight into top-level research mathematics
    While completing a research paper under the individual guidance of their advisor, students can develop an insight into research mathematics.
    Features of the Program
    Publication of our mathematical journal
    The mathematical periodal "Commentarii Mathematici Universitatis Sancti Pauli" has been published by the Graduate Program in Mathematics for over 60 years.

    Research Center for Mathematical Physics
    The Graduate Program in Mathematics started the Research Center for Mathematical Physics in cooperation with the Graduate Program in Physics at Rikkyo University's Graduate Schools. Monthly seminars as well as annual international workshops are held at this center.

    Specially appointed Professor Michio Jimbo.
    Professor Michio Jimbo received the Dannie Heineman Prize for Mathematical Physics in 2013 (joint with Proessor Tetsuji Miwa of Kyoto University). The Dannie Heineman Prize] is an award given each year jointly by the American Physical Society and American Institute of Physics in recognition of outstanding publications in the field of mathematical physics.
  • Graduate Program in Life Science

    Solving the Mysteries of Life through Approaches that Value the Basics

    In this post-genome era, our program places stronger emphasis on the basics in its approaches to biological phenomena. Graduate students take up unsolved problems for their research projects in their own pursuit of the mysteries of life.

    Overview
    Experimental demonstration at the molecular level
    The program seeks to pursue the question “What is Life?” by experimentally demonstrating the similarities and differences between living organisms and non-living things at the molecular level.

    Three disciplines: Molecular biology, biochemistry, and molecular cell biology
    Graduate students study a wide range of advanced molecular biology, biochemistry, and molecular cell biology through lectures, instructed by faculty members and outside experts, and their own research project.

    Close supervision in a small-sized research group
    Graduate students will concentrate on cutting-edge research with a small number of peers, supervised by a faculty member.
    Features of the Program
    Excellent Research Environment

    Collaborations with and seminars by researchers from outside institutions, such as other universities and research institutes, provide students with opportunities to learn the latest advances in various fields of study. Students can make full use of an array of equipment including confocal microscopes, DNA sequencers, real-time PCRs, a flow cytometer, and a mass spectrometer for their research. Most graduate students present their results actively in academic society meetings with the university’s support fund for society presentation, which gives them a good opportunity to exchange information and ideas with outside researchers and to improve their presentation skills.

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