School of EducationWaseda University

The Department of Science is composed of the Biology Major and the Earth Science Major. An advanced educational curriculum is offered in order to meet the requirements of modern natural science by providing the lessons, teaching staff, facilities and equipment that would be expected at the specialist department of a science faculty.  In order to provide a basic education in the natural sciences as a foundation for both specializations, first of all students study physics, chemistry and mathematics.

The Department makes full use of the rich variety of cross-university and cross-faculty courses on offer to broaden students’ perspectives and provide a high level of specialist knowledge and skills by allowing students to sit specialist courses. In doing so, the Department fosters human resources capable of filling a wide variety of different roles in society.  Upon graduation, students are conferred with a Bachelor of Science degree. The Department of Science is characterized by the fact that a large number of its graduates continue to study at graduate school. If students go on to study at the Graduate School of Advanced Science and Engineering (Integrative Bioscience & Biomedical Engineering Major or Pure and Applied Physics Major) or the Graduate School of Creative Science and Engineering (Earth Sciences, Resources & Environmental Engineering Major), where teaching staff of both Major (Biology and Earth Science) also teach, there is an integrated educational and research system in place to allow them to continue training towards a masters or doctoral degree.  In addition to the general entrance system, a recommended admissions system is applicable for entry to the above graduate schools.

Characteristics

• The number of students in a single year is around the same as a single class of high school students, and education is provided in a friendly atmosphere in which the students and teachers recognize one another.
• Students are given a thorough grounding in biology, based on their interest in the composition of living things.
• Practical lessons give students the opportunity to learn about cutting edge experiments and measuring techniques.
• As part of their graduate research, students acquire the ability to carry out independent research.
• Graduates find work in a wide variety of roles in society.

Introducing the Biology Major

Curriculum

It goes without saying that students sit a wide variety of biology lectures, but this is not all.There are numerous animals and plants in the natural world that we rarely come into contact with. On the Marine Biology Practical and Ecosystems Practical courses, students go on field trips to the sea and forest to learn about these unusual living things. As part of Biology Experiments I-VII, students take on a variety of research challenges with direct links to lectures, and develop their research skills.  Introducing the curriculum

Research content

Students on the Biology Major graduate after hands-on experience of cutting edge research as part of the compulsory graduation research.  Specifically, in their fourth year, students are allocated to one of seven laboratories and begin their graduation research.  Students are only able to graduate after bringing together the results of experiments carried out over the course of a year, and giving a presentation.  There is a wide selection of fields from which to choose a research theme, including molecular biology, biochemistry, cell biology, embryology, animal physiology, plant physiology and environmental science.  Introducing the research content

Future paths of graduates

In an ordinary year, more than half of the graduates from the Biology Specialization go on to study at graduate school to carry out even more specialist research.  It goes without saying that many graduates also find work at companies and elsewhere.   Future paths of graduates

Campus

The majority of classes from the first to the third years are taken at the Waseda Campus, which provides a diverse range of classes in the arts and sciences.  In the fourth year, students pursue their graduation research alongside postgraduate students at Building No. 50 (Twins), which houses science, engineering and medical research.  Campus Overview

Biology Major Q&A

We have the answers to many of the questions that are frequently asked about the Biology Major.   Biology Major Q&A

Overview

After studying a broad range of earth science fields and developing basic academic skills, and experimental and field-survey techniques, in the fourth year students carry out specialist research for their graduation research at a laboratory, in a field such as geology, petrology or mineralogy. The curriculum has been designed to provide both academic knowledge and a mastery of practical skills.  The goal is to provide the specialist knowledge needed to work in a variety of different roles, such as: a junior high school or senior high school science teacher; a member of a geological survey team carrying out resources development, environmental conservation or construction; or as part of a materials science team at a manufacturing plant.

Graduates go on to work in a variety of different fields, including national and private research institutions (as researchers and technicians), industry, education (as university, senior high school and junior high school teachers), and in the civil service.

Please see the Earth Science Major website for more details.

Characteristics

• Education and research into the solid earth are pursued in multiple fields, including geology, petrology, mineralogy, economic geology and paleontology.
• The education and research system prioritizes natural observation and fieldwork in the field of earth sciences. Active efforts are made to carry out fieldwork overseas in addition to Japan.
• The Specialization is also characterized by the many opportunities for student-to-student and student-to-teacher communication.