The Faculty of Engineering, founded in 1958, was reorganized into three faculties in 2007, which has offered the opportunity for the foundation of a new faculty, the Faculty of Chemistry, Materials and Bioengineering. The Faculty has the target of education and research in the field of engineering that is based on chemistry, materials science and life science.
Students are trained to participate in the world of advanced technology as engineers and scientists through experimental and laboratory works as well as in theoretical studies, bringing their abilities to design, synthesize and fabricate a variety of functional molecules and materials, to analyze and evaluate their structure and properties, and to elucidate the nature and functions of biorelated molecules and materials. The development of personal maturity, intellectual growth, and strong sense of social responsibility are another aspect of the target of our faculty's education for the attainment of professional competence. Students also learn theoretical and practical ways to deal with the planet Earth and the global environmental problems that have arisen as a result of the rapid development of technologies.
The departments offer four-year undergraduate programs leading to the degree of Bachelor of Engineering. Graduates take an active part in industries based on chemistry, materials and bio-related chemistry, making the most of their abilities in wide-ranging, advanced technologies including nanotechnologies, biotechnologies, energy and environment-related technologies, and medical technologies.
The Faculty of Chemistry, Materials and Bioengineering has two departments:
Advanced and innovative technologies can only be realized with functional substances and materials built-up with atoms, molecules or polymers. Substances and materials play a great role even in bio-related phenomena and technologies. Challenges in the development of technologies of synthesis, fabrication and processing of innovative and useful substances and materials open the way to the advance in technologies of the next generation.
The substances and materials targeted in our education are (i) organic and inorganic molecules including coordination compounds, (ii) organic polymers and polymeric materials, (iii) crystalline or non-crystalline materials including metals, ceramics, glasses and semiconductors, and (iv) composite materials. Students develop their abilities (a) on molecular design and synthesis, (b) on materials design and processing, (c) on analyses of molecular structure, crystal structure, and materials microstructure, (d) on a variety of chemical analyses using advanced instruments, (e) on quantitative evaluation of a variety of properties, and (f) on functionalization of materials. These educational goals are based on fundamental sciences including chemistry and materials science.
The Department offers three courses:
Materials Science and Engineering Course
Applied Chemistry Course
Bio-Related Chemistry Course
The Department offers four-year undergraduate programs. Joining the Department, freshmen learn fundamental sciences including chemistry, physics and mathematics as well as computer skills, humanities and social sciences as well as English reading, writing and speaking skills. Sophomores select one of the Courses, among the specialized fields.
The Materials Science and Engineering Course offers programs that allow students to acquire the ability to understand the nature of crystalline and non-crystalline materials including composites, to analyze and evaluate the structure and properties of materials, and to design, functionalize and fabricate innovative, useful and environment- friendly materials.
The Applied Chemistry Course provides programs that offer education on general aspects of chemistry applicable to advanced technologies. Students acquire capabilities to understand the nature and structure of molecules, organic polymers and inorganic materials, to analyze their structure, and to synthesize and functionalize these substances and materials.
The Bio-Related Chemistry Course offers programs that train students to acquire the ability to understand the nature and properties of molecules and materials produced in living bodies, to understand the interaction between substances and living bodies, and to design, synthesize and functionalize bio-related molecules and materials.
The Department of Biotechnology was reformed into the Department of Life Science & Biotechnology in 2007 to expand the education and research fields of life science and biotechnology. Basic life science specialized in the new department involves genetics, cell biology, neurobiology, enzyme science, microbial science, and technology, pharmaceutical science and food science. Furthermore, applied aspects of life science and biotechnology include the cryopreservation of food, the biodegradation of industrial waste compounds, the computer-assisted drug design, and the efficient ultrafiltration of bioproducts etc.
Students in the undergraduate and graduate courses are offered lectures on general biochemistry, cell biology, molecular biology, organic chemistry, analytical chemistry, microbiology, molecular genetics, neurobiology, protein engineering, biochemical engineering, food science and technology, pharmacology, medicinal chemistry and other related fields of life science and biotechnology. Additionally, the students are educated to investigate the specific themes of life science and biotechnology.
