Science and Engineering, Waseda University

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Department of
Applied Chemistry

Major in
Applied Chemistry

"Applied Chemistry"studies a wide range of materials and reaction processes from electron and molecules to biochemistry and life science, fulfilling its role as a contributor to the health and prosperity for our lives and global environment.

The objective of our program is to produce creative specialists who can handle molecules and chemicals with versatility.

Applied chemistry endeavors to design molecules and chemicals that sustain human lives and societies by making precision syntheses and rendering its formulations into tangible, usable form. It also establishes their application methods, assembling reaction processes so as to be able to make a positive contribution to society.

"Applied Chemistry" majors learn not only about topics germane to their field of specialization, such as ceramics, plastics, energy conversions,foodstuffs, medicines, electronic materials, etc.; their education will familiarize them with the broad concerns of chemistry and related knowledge, such as the world of atoms and molecules, biochemistry, life science, and global environmental issues. In addition, they will receive a multifaceted and comprehensive education that combines the study of chemical reactions, molecular structures and properties of compounds with the development of the necessary knowledge and intuitive understanding of chemical engineering subjects such as manufacturing process design. The department of applied chemistry offers an industrial chemistry course and a chemical engineering course, promoting human resources rich in creativity to meet the demands of society.

With the contents of the undergraduate education as groundwork, and through advanced learning and experimental research training across a broad range of subjects from molecular science to chemical engineering, the graduate program develops talented scholars who will assume leadership roles in the various fields of applied chemistry. Students anticipate their roles as individuals and members of society, by taking part in pioneering academic research in fine syntheses and preparation, the improvement of functional material properties, and the advanced technologies needed to manipulate them freely. Students also participate in pioneering research, seminars, and research presentation. They also have access to cutting- edge analytical instruments such as high-resolution NMR spectrometers, X-ray diffractometers and spectrometers, and various electron microscopes, and make use of fully equipped research facilities and instruments, such as the Materials, Characterization Central Laboratory, the Laboratory for Materials Science and Technology, and the High Tech Research Center.

A number of distinguished students have taken advantage of provisions that allow graduate students to leap ahead after the first year into the doctoral program and complete the doctoral program in two years instead of three.

The major in Applied Chemistry is divided into the following seven subdivisions. The curriculum of "Inorganic Chemistry"is based on inorganic solid-state chemistry and inorganic synthetic chemistry. Students develop research skills as they learn to establish techniques of synthesizing advanced inorganic materials, analyzing their structures, and evaluating their physical properties.

In the field of"Polymer Chemistry", students systematically study polymer compounds and physical properties, plastic, fiber and rubber materials as well as the newly evolved fields of polymer science and engineering such as organic electrons and spin functions, artificial blood.

In "Catalytic Chemistry" students systematically study the basic theories of catalysis, while researching the relationship between the structures, properties, and the mechanism of catalytic reactions. In particular, a main focus is on catalysis in heterogeneous systems, to educate students in developing or renovating chemical processes in environmentally benign ways.

Research objectives in "Applied Biochemistry" are mainly the development of efficient production systems of useful substances by utilizing microorganisms or enzymes. Also in progress is research on useful microorganism molecular variation technology such as genetic engineering and cellular fusion and green biotechnology.

"Chemical Engineering" is organized into three biochemical engineering, and environmental chemical engineering; 2) Chemical engineering involving human bodily systems for medical applications such as artificial kidneys and lungs; 3) Separation chemical engineering, including crystallization and solid treatment.

In "Synthetic Organic Chemistry" students gain knowledge about technologies and theories of the newest synthetic organic chemistry, as they conduct research in total synthesis and molecular design of bioactive substances such as carbohydrates, steroid hormones, antibiotics, enzyme inhibitors, development of transition metal complexes, and asymmetrical syntheses.

"Applied Physical Chemistry" relies on electrochemistry and surface chemistry as its backbone, and attempts to create novel thin film materials for advanced electronic devices such as ultra high density data storage devices, high energy density batteries,

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The undergraduate and graduate programs of applied chemistry are linked together, so in a typical year about seventy percent of undergraduates continue their studies in graduate school. Close to twenty percent of the graduate students become doctoral candidates and receive a Doctorate of Engineering degree. Half of our alumni find employment in chemistry-related industries, such as machinery, electronics, foodstuffs, or pharmaceuticals, where they make the most of their specialized education.