Overview

Message

To all students who wish to enter the university and graduate school

In the Faculty of Science and Graduate School of Science, we emphasize the importance of carefully observing and deeply contemplating nature and society to discover their essence. Simultaneously, it is crucial to challenge ourselves without being confined by conventions. In fact, many significant discoveries in the world have been made through such processes. While it is essential to diligently engage in your studies on a daily basis, please aim for genuine understanding without simply pursuing grades. This approach also leads to grasping the essence of things. We believe that understanding the essence of the natural world is similar to understanding the essence of society. Although it is not guaranteed to bring immediate benefits in society, individuals with such qualities are truly essential for the advancement of the world.
In the Department of Biological Sciences in the Faculty of Science and the Department of Biological Sciences in the Graduate School of Science, there are many excellent courses available, providing opportunities to study various subjects. However, the true pleasure lies in discoveries made through your own efforts. Here, there are numerous researchers conducting world-class research in various fields using animals, plants, and microorganisms. You will also conduct research in such an environment. In your bachelor thesis you will pursue discoveries, and in the graduate school, you will conduct even more important and high-quality research. Discoveries do not come just from learning; it requires the ability to discern the essence and the attitude to take matters into your own hands. We look forward to welcoming you as fellow researchers who aim for discoveries and inventions with flexible thinking.

Sakiko Shiga, Head, Department of Biological Sciences

Faculty and Department Pamphlets

Graduate School and Major Pamphlet

Organization

The Department of Biological Sciences consists of three types of chairs: core chairs, cooperative chairs, and cooperative concurrent chairs. Unlike ordinary single-department graduate schools, this graduate school spans two campuses in the Toyonaka and Suita areas and an off-campus research institute (see Location). With such a geographical spread, information and human interactions among research groups are important in this department. Our department creates a dense network of information and people to support a wide variety of research.

History

Department of Biology, from its establishment to the present

The history of life science education and research at Osaka University began with the establishment of the Department of Biology in the Faculty of Science. The Department of Biology was established at the time of the establishment of the new university system, with the aim of creating a place for education and research in the new biological sciences, which were developing in the boundary area with chemistry and physics. The following is a chronological history of the subsequent development of the Department of Biology.

May 1949
Establishment of the Department of Biology in the Faculty of Science
1953
Establishment of the Department of Biochemistry and Physiology in the Graduate School
1956
Initiation of the Institute for Protein Research as an affiliated facility of the Faculty of Science
1958
Initiation of the Institute for Protein Research as a national joint-use research institute
Many research groups joined as core courses of the Department of Biological Sciences
1996
The Department of Biological Sciences was reorganized as a new department consisting of faculty members of the former Department of Biology of the Faculty of Science (including faculty members of the former Department of Biology of the Faculty of Liberal Arts) and faculty members of the attached research institute
2006
Two courses, Biological Sciences and Life Sciences, were established in the Department of Biological Sciences, and the number of students was increased to 55

Annual report

Publication of Annual Report

The Department of Biology* publishes an annual report of its activities each year. Some of the older years are retained for reference. Articles on various activities are listed by year (from April of the indicated year to March of the following year), and papers are listed by year (from January to December of the following year), since it is difficult to specify the month of publication.
*Department of Biology refers to the core department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, and the jointly managed group of departments that have been transferred to other graduate schools using the core department as a mother department.