Undergraduate Students

1. Overview

The discovery of new drugs requires detailed knowledge about the mechanisms of life and the causes of disease. Unfortunately, in every aspect, from the molecular level to pathological conditions, our knowledge is insufficient and many issues are still to be clarified. We need the ability to explain life phenomena from the perspectives of biochemistry, molecular biology, cell biology, biochemistry, physiological chemistry, genetics and immunology. Synthetic chemistry and reaction chemistry are essential for the synthesis of drugs. Historically, the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences has produced excellent research outcomes in its research centered on organic chemistry. Additionally, in order to understand herbal medications and create drugs capable of surpassing them, natural product chemistry is also necessary, as are analytical chemistry and physical chemistry for discovering drug properties and their molecular-level interactions with living organisms. An understanding of drug metabolism and disposition and drug formulation design is required to transport drugs to target areas of the body. In order to explain the reaction of the living body to drugs, pharmacodynamics and toxicology are essential. Thus pharmaceutical science requires the combination of extensive basic and applied research. There is also an increasing amount of research in borderline areas that cannot be classified into traditional academic fields. In summary, the discovery of drugs is a compilation of these cutting-edge sciences.

The Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences of the University of Tokyo has fulfilled its role as a research center where pharmaceuticals, a difficult field which requires a high degree of perfection, are studied from the aspects of materials, living organisms and medical care. The faculty focuses on basic research before moving on to drug discovery and concentrating effort on education to nurture pharmaceutical specialists. Students of the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences are provided with a curriculum including many lectures and practical lessons necessary for the training of pharmaceutical specialists. Additionally, education in the faculty focuses on economic issues relevant to the pharmaceutical industry, providing information to pharmacists and the general public, and training individuals who are equipped with the skills to participate in pharmaceutical business management at bio-ventures. Graduates from this faculty are active in universities, research institutes, pharmaceutical companies and health service agencies.

2. Departments

Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences
Department of Pharmacy

In 2006, the undergraduate pharmaceutical education system was drastically revised to a parallel system with a four-year course in the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and a six-year course in the Department of Pharmacy. The Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences (72 places) takes over the conventional role of training professional pharmaceutical researchers and continues to aim at training highly competent researchers.

The Department of Pharmacy (8 places) has a six-month practical hospital training and pharmacy training program in its curriculum and aims to train pharmacists with high-level practical knowledge and skills relevant to medicine and pharmaceutical science.

There is no division between these two departments when entering from the College of Arts and Sciences to the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences. The department to which students enter is determined in autumn to winter of the third year, and students are assigned to a department when they enter their fourth year.

3. Website

http://www.f.u-tokyo.ac.jp/index-e.html

4. Type of Degrees

Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Sciences
Bachelor of Pharmacy

5. Contact

Academic Affairs Team (Undergraduate)
+81-(0)3-5841-4703,

International Student Advising Room
+81-(0)3-5841-4878,