The Graduate School of Science (GSS) at Kyoto University consists of five divisions: Mathematics and Mathematical Sciences, Physics and Astronomy, Earth and Planetary Sciences, Chemistry, and Biological Sciences. In its 120-year history, the school has produced outstanding achievements in a range of research fields and numerous winners of major international awards such as the Nobel Prize and Fields Medal. The school also has contributed significantly toward science education in Japan, developing a wide variety of human resources with a focus on science and technology. More recently, the GSS strives for a new research and education in science including the development of interdisciplinary area with the launch of the “MAthematics-based Creation of Science Program (MACS Educational Program)”. The “Center for Science Adventure and Collaborative Research Advancement (SACRA)” was established in 2019 to serve an important function for such endeavor.

Our science aims to search for truth of natural phenomena and to reveal the truth in a reasonable manner with free-minded and bold thinking. Most of the scientific discoveries that have had huge impacts on the world have come out of scientists’ pure curiosity to understand the principles of natural phenomena. Revealing facts is the mutual passion of all GSS faculty members. Our diverse faculty members who have a great deal of curiosity and uniqueness is a source of pride for the GSS.

There seems to be a strong tendency in Japan these days to require scientific research beneficial to society under the name of innovation. Needless to say, we truly hope that our research benefits society and it is important to achieve accountability and transmit our scientific research result to the world, on which taxpayers’ money is spent. Meanwhile, however, such a short-term point of view focused on specific outcomes does not always lead to a major discovery that brings a substantial change to society. Looking back at history, most of research and inventions that led to big breakthroughs came from an inquisitive mind to seek the essence of things with a profound insight and drastic change in thinking. A sense of self-composure and a playful spirit for such an attempt is also essential. The GSS will continue to be a good place for faculty and students to make an effort to find out the essence of things by cooperating with each other, facing natural phenomena and truth with an open mind.

Even though we have well equipped　facilities besides our brilliant staff with various charming characters, it is you whom we are most proud of. You are excellent students, who long for our academic culture, with limitless potential and diverse individualities. I expect you to discover new horizons through encounters with the right people, and gain a deep insight into the essence and the truth of things during your school life. In addition, I would like you to join us in making the school more attractive together.

Our undergraduate program offers you a wide range of options. The only required subject is the graduation work whilst you need to earn a certain number of credits from each subject cluster. Once you set your own goal, you will be able to make effective choices among the alternatives to take actions proactively toward the goal along your personal plan.

The other thing is that, I would like to advise you to keep in mind to talk with and listen to anyone around you now and then. Sharing ideas and exchanging opinions not only prevent you from being go-it-alone but lead you to find something new which might enable you to make progress in achieving the goal. If you have any trouble, you could also get professional counseling on campus. I hope you get to know who you are through those interactions.

We invite those who:

Please find details on the website of our admission policy.

Under severe fiscal circumstances, our job duties have been getting heavier and heavier. We have to streamline our operation for maintaining the quality of performance. This is one of the reasons why the SACRA was established. I embrace consensus building in steering GSS while making the SACRA well-functioned, and ask your cooperation for development of the school.

As well as we seek the truth of natural phenomena retaining medium- to long-term vision, we strive to cultivate students’ scientific ground, develop their ability of logical and rational thinking and improve their eyes of perspective and mental strength.

On the other hand, during recent years, we face the downtrend in the scale of budget from the government and in the number of staff. In those harsh circumstances, your support truly helps us. We are deeply grateful for the support of donors.

Furthermore, we express our heartfelt apology for the research misconduct. We will continue to make our best efforts as a whole school to achieve high quality research results. We sincerely request your continued understanding and support into the years ahead. Please keep connected to us on our website or the Science Club Days.