Featured Course: Chemistry

General Education Courses | Group I: Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Chemistry

Natural science is the endeavor to unravel the mechanisms of natural phenomena through observation and logical thinking. The scientific insights accumulated by this discipline serve as a powerful guiding force to independently navigate and address contemporary challenges where society and nature are intricately intertwined—particularly in fields such as environmental conservation, resource circulation, energy, and healthcare.

At the Hiyoshi Campus, a diverse range of courses is offered to foster the literacy in natural sciences required of the trailblazers of tomorrow’s economy and society. In particular, the fields of Physics, Chemistry, and Biology offer robust experimental programs. Through both lectures and laboratory work, students can experience the joy and wonder of understanding nature while acquiring practical scientific skills.

In the Chemistry course, students explore diverse chemical phenomena firsthand through a wide range of laboratory topics, ranging from the analysis and synthesis of substances to the practical application of chemical reactions. These include flame tests, systematic analysis of metal ions, the construction of fuel cells, and the synthesis of synthetic fibers and dyes. Concurrently, the lectures provide a broad understanding ranging from foundational knowledge to the connections between chemistry and social issues closely linked to economic activities, such as the environment, energy, food, and healthcare. This interconnected learning allows students to realistically perceive the link between economics and chemistry, fostering a broad perspective on how our economic activities are conducted within the cycles of nature.

For over seven decades, Keio University has maintained a distinctive tradition of providing natural science education to liberal arts students—a pioneering approach rarely found at other universities. It has been highly acclaimed as a unique and outstanding educational model, having been selected for the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) "Support Program for Distinctive University Education" (FY2005) and the "Programs for Promoting University Education Reform" (FY2010). Furthermore, in 2009, the "Research and Education Center for Natural Sciences" was established to expand the foundation of natural science education at the Hiyoshi Campus, further enhancing the educational framework.

An environment has been established to ensure safe and reliable participation, allowing even those with limited experimental experience or those who may feel less confident in the sciences to engage with confidence. We invite you to experience the unique "wonder and joy" that only experiments can offer, and to sharpen your scientific literacy and richly refine your sensibilities.

(Akimitsu Miyaji, Associate Professor）