Key Features of the Department of Biosciences and Informatics

At the Department of Biosciences and Informatics, we investigate which parts of DNA’s genetic code are translated into proteins within cells, and how these proteins interact to function as a system. To this end, we conduct research drawing upon various academic fields, including approaches to life based on a molecular perspective that transcends the traditional framework of biology, and concepts of biopolymers grounded in physics and chemistry.

Our aim is to develop professionals who can not only conduct experiments on living organisms but also make extensive use of computers. This approach, which aims to elucidate a wide range of biological systems, promises applications across various fields, including medicine and drug discovery, increased production of food and new energy sources, environmental purification and monitoring, and the shift toward bioprocessing in the chemical industry, thereby fostering the emergence of new industries. As such, we are dedicated to cultivating individuals who can pioneer new fields through their own efforts and serve as leaders within them.

Building upon the foundation of physics, chemistry, and mathematics acquired in the first year, the second year cultivates fundamental academic skills to master bioinformatics, broadly categorized into biological, chemical, and physical/information systems. In the third and fourth years, specialists from within and outside the department deliver lectures on specific topics in bioinformatics, and in bioinformatics experiments, students conduct experiments on various subjects.

The first year consists of courses common to nearly all departments, with students dividing into their respective departments starting in the second year. Students may advance to the Department of Biosciences and Informatics from gateway fields C and E. Students are encouraged to thoroughly study the foundational disciplines of physics, chemistry, mathematics, biology, and information processing.

In the second year, students cultivate the fundamental academic skills necessary to master bioinformatics, broadly categorized into biological sciences, chemical sciences, and physics/information sciences. Students learn, through hands-on experiments and practical training, a molecular perspective on life that transcends traditional biological frameworks, a physical and chemical approach to biopolymers, and the fundamentals of handling information about life functions using computers.

In the third and fourth years, specialists from within and outside the department lecture on specific topics in bioinformatics. In particular, Bioinformatics Experiments I and II adopt a perspective distinct from traditional biology departments, aiming to cultivate future leaders in life sciences who are not only capable of conducting experiments on living organisms but also comfortable utilizing computers.