Message from Prof. Shinji Wakao, Dean of the School of Advanced Science and Engineering, Waseda University

We teach academic fields based on natural sciences such as physics, chemistry, electricity/electronics, and life sciences, as well as the disciplines to develop these fields so that they are useful to society and contribute to human peace and prosperity. We have also developed advanced and practical research based on these disciplines.

The most distinctive feature of the educational content offered is the extensive experimental subjects that incorporate advanced science. What is common to the three schools of the Faculty of Science and Engineering (School of Advanced Science and Engineering, School of Fundamental Science and Engineering, and School of Creative Science and Engineering) is that, first, students in all departments are required to take experimental subjects of basic fields, including physics, chemistry, and life sciences. In addition, specialized experiments for each department are compulsory, such as specialized experiments in physics for physics departments, and specialized experiments in chemistry for chemistry departments. Students who intend to advance to theory, calculation, etc. in the future will practically learn basic skills in their specialized fields through experiments.

At the undergraduate level, students deepen their knowledge of one field through classroom lectures and extensive experiments, but when they proceed to graduate school, they are able to not only dig deeper into that field but also work in interdisciplinary research. There are majors across multiple fields, and faculty members with advanced expertise from other universities grant students education and guidance at collaborating graduate schools. In other words, in graduate school, students can expand on what they want to learn and do, both vertically and horizontally.

The Graduate School of Advanced Science and Engineering has a master's degree program, doctoral program, and five-year integrated doctoral program. Undergraduate students are strongly encouraged to proceed to graduate school. The number of students proceeding to graduate school is extremely high, and the proportion of students aiming to obtain a doctoral degree is also relatively high.

Given this background, senior students' graduation research is positioned as training to enable them to engage in cutting-edge research, especially original research. During graduation research, students learn how to set a research theme and proceed with the research under the guidance of their supervisors and graduate students. Unlike experiments and exercises until junior years, no one knows the answers to original research. In the absence of a solid path to conduct the research they want to do, students need to think by themselves based on the knowledge and skills they have acquired, create new experimental equipment and programs, and think about new analysis methods. As they repeat this, they acquire the ability to conduct original research.

In graduate school, students can improve their presentation skills through the experience of presenting their research results at domestic and international conferences and symposiums; we also focus on teaching communication skills and research ethics. These abilities are transferable skills that are useful when continuing research in academia, and when playing an active role in industry.

Firstly, we will strengthen the fusion field of natural science and information science and the fusion field using nanotechnology and quantum technology. For example, the School/Graduate School of Advanced Science and Engineering has been promoting education and research in the fusion fields of bioinformatics, cheminformatics, and materials informatics, and we hope to incorporate the latest technologies centered on AI into them. We also hope that research that utilizes comprehensive knowledge will be carried out based on knowledge and backgrounds other than so-called science and engineering fields.

Secondly, we would like to increase opportunities for students aiming for doctoral degrees to see the big picture and acquire the ability to compete with overseas students and researchers. In addition to the School/Graduate School of Advanced Science and Engineering, Waseda University has been selected for many public research grants and human resource development programs; by utilizing them, we have achieved advanced human resource development. We hope to strengthen the system further by hosting seminars and symposiums.

Thirdly, we will utilize online communication tools that have become more familiar owing to the COVID-19 pandemic. In education, we want to use face-to-face and online classes in a complementary manner to make education more effective. In research, online communication has significantly reduced the hurdles of participating in overseas academic conferences and symposiums, interacting with overseas researchers, and contacting domestic and global companies, allowing us to use limited resources and time effectively. We will encourage students to utilize online communication tools while providing advice on collaboration and cooperation, such as having at least one opportunity to meet face-to-face, even if the interactions occur mainly online.