Chemistry that creates the future and solves social problems

This is what is great about this course!

Our courses are attracting a great deal of interest from companies because we conduct education and research in key fields that are connected to all industries. Furthermore, in order to develop human resources capable of responding to future technological innovations, we have prepared a new educational program that provides thorough mastery of core subjects and absorption of cutting-edge chemical knowledge. In research, basic research published in world-class academic papers and practical research conducted jointly with companies for social implementation are actively conducted, and as a result, we are proud of the top level of awards our students have received in the Tohoku region.

What is the course of study (and how is it applied to society)?

The course will offer three research fields. In the Organic and Biological Chemistry field, students will contribute to the life science field through research on the development of pharmaceuticals and the elucidation of life phenomena. The Energy and Environmental Chemistry course aims to solve energy and environmental problems through the development of next-generation batteries and green chemistry research. In the field of Advanced Functional Complex Chemistry, we develop advanced materials based on polymers, inorganic chemistry, and crystal engineering to advance industry. These researches demonstrate uniqueness and excellence in the country and the region.

What can I learn and how can I grow?

This course offers an educational program designed to develop human resources who can play an active role in a futuristic society. First, students acquire sufficient basic skills in the three fundamental subjects of chemistry (physical, inorganic, and organic chemistry) through careful explanations of world-standard textbooks in lectures and repetitive learning through exercises. Next, students study a variety of applied subjects that are applicable to each specialized field, acquire a background in data science, learn how to handle chemical substances in laboratory subjects, and finally, conduct cutting-edge research in their graduation theses.

What are the expected career paths after graduation?

Since everything that has a form is made of chemical substances, chemistry is not only useful in manufacturing, but is also a fundamental science indispensable for solving all kinds of problems such as medicine, the environment, energy, and food. For this reason, there is an extremely high social demand for chemistry graduates, and in our course, in addition to general chemistry and materials companies, students are employed by a wide variety of companies in the semiconductor, electronics, pharmaceutical, cosmetics, food, environment, energy, and other fields. Moreover, more than 90% of students who complete graduate school (more than 60% of our students go on to graduate school) are employed by large companies.

Student Interviews

TERASAWA Rio

[from Moriokakita High School, Iwate Prefecture]

I want to apply the knowledge and skills of organic chemistry I have cultivated to the fields of agriculture and drug discovery.

I chose the Faculty of Science and Engineering at Iwate University because I felt that not only would I be able to deepen my expertise in chemistry, but I would also have the opportunity to interact with people from different fields by taking advantage of having all faculties on one campus. I belong to the research group of natural product synthesis, where natural products, potential lead compounds for the development of pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals, are synthesized in multiple steps. The greatest advantage of studying in this group is that I have the opportunity to perform various reactions and improve my synthetic skills.

Currently, I am working on the synthesis of a pheromonal natural product against “sea lampreys”, an invasive species that has invaded the Great Lakes of North America and parasitizes salmon and trout. After graduation, I would like to enter graduate school to further hone my synthetic skills and elucidate the functions of that natural product and its mechanisms of action. I would like to apply the knowledge and skills in organic chemistry that I acquired in graduate school to agriculture and drug discovery.

Interviewed in December 2022.