Program Overview

Program Overview

The mission of the University of Osaka is to nurture outstanding individuals who possess a high sense of ethics and wish to become global citizens and leaders in a variety of fields worldwide under the objective of "Live Locally, Grow Globally". The Department of Biological Sciences, the Department of Mathematics, the Department of Physics, and the Department of Chemistry in the School of Science have established the International Undergraduate Program in Science for international students. Students will be enrolled in the program for 4.5 years in total, culminating in the award of a Bachelor's degree.

Program Structure

• The program is overseen by the International College and the School of Science, The University of Osaka.
• Entrance examinations are conducted in English by each department.
• Basic proficiency in Japanese is required at application time.
• Students attend intensive Japanese language education classes and some preliminary science classes at the Center for Japanese Language and Culture (CJLC) for six months prior to regular enrollment.
• In the first year, students take classes mainly in English and study liberal arts and science major subjects.
• Further advanced Japanese language education is offered until the end of the second year of the undergraduate program.
• Students focus on specific subjects in their respective majors from the second year, and classes transition from mainly being taught in English to mainly being taught in Japanese.
• Students are assigned to a specific laboratory to conduct research in their final year.

Graduate School

After graduation, motivated students are welcome to proceed to graduate school in one of the six departments of the Graduate School of Science:

• Biological Sciences
• Chemistry
• Earth and Space Science
• Macromolecular Science
• Mathematics
• Physics The Graduate School of Science offers degree programs conducted in English for international students in Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Macromolecular Science, and Physics.

Research Areas

Department of Biological Sciences

• Biochemistry
• Biophysics
• Cell biology
• Comparative physiology
• Developmental biology
• Ecophysiology
• Epigenetics
• Evolutionary biology
• Genetics
• Genome informatics
• Molecular biology
• Molecular genetics
• Nanobiology
• Neurobiology
• Neuroethology
• Neurogenesis
• Oncogenesis
• Phylogenetic biology
• Plant ecophysiology
• Plant science
• Protein crystallography
• Structural biology
• Theoretical biology

Department of Chemistry and Department of Macromolecular Science

• Analytical chemistry
• Bio-nanotechnology
• Bioinorganic chemistry
• Biomolecular chemistry
• Bioorganic chemistry
• Biophysical chemistry
• Condensed matter physical chemistry
• Coordination chemistry
• Functional proteomics
• Informative polymer science
• Inorganic chemistry
• Macromolecular assemblies
• Macromolecular precise science
• Macromolecular structure, properties, and functions
• Macromolecular synthesis and reactions
• Molecular beams
• Molecular biophysics
• Nanoporous materials
• Natural products chemistry
• Organic biochemistry
• Organic chemistry
• Organic fine chemicals
• Physical chemistry
• Physical organic chemistry
• Polymer assemblies
• Polymer functional chemistry
• Polymer physical chemistry
• Polymer reaction
• Polymer synthesis
• Polymeric materials design
• Protein crystallography
• Protein informatics
• Protein organic chemistry
• Protein physical chemistry
• Quantum chemistry
• Radiochemistry
• Radioisotopes
• Reaction dynamics
• Semiconductor materials
• Structural organic chemistry
• Structural thermodynamics
• Supramolecular chemistry
• Supramolecular crystallography
• Surface chemistry
• Synthetic organic chemistry
• Thermal and entropic science

Department of Mathematics

• Algebraic analysis
• Algebraic geometry
• Applied analysis
• Applied mathematics
• Combinatorics
• Commutative algebra
• Commutative ring theory
• Complex analysis
• Complex differential geometry
• Complex geometry
• Complex functions of several variables
• Complex manifolds
• Cryptography
• Differential geometry
• Dynamical systems
• Discrete geometry
• Discrete mathematics
• Discrete structures
• Discrete subgroups
• Fractals
• Information geometry
• Information theory
• Knot theory
• Mathematical engineering
• Mathematical physics
• Number theory
• Partial differential equations
• Probability theory
• Spectral theory
• Topology
• Transformation groups

Department of Physics and Department of Earth and Space Science

• Accelerator physics
• Astrophysics and cosmology
• Biophysics
• Condensed matter physics (theory and experiment)
• Earth and planetary material science
• Fundamental theoretical physics
• Geophysics
• Infrared and X-ray astronomy
• Intense laser science
• Interdisciplinary physics
• Mass spectrometry
• Non-equilibrium physics
• Nuclear physics (theory and experiment)
• Particle physics (theory and experiment)
• Physics of matter under extreme pressure and magnetic fields
• Planetary science
• Quantum physics
• Solid-state spectroscopy

Departments for Undergraduate Studies

Department of Chemistry

The Department of Chemistry comprises more than 20 laboratories of inorganic chemistry, analytical chemistry, physical chemistry, organic chemistry, and macromolecular science. Faculty members are involved in high-level education and research, collaborating with overseas researchers.

Department of Mathematics

The Department of Mathematics consists of 6 research groups: algebra, geometry, analysis, global geometry and analysis, experimental mathematics, and mathematical science, all of which have been making substantial contributions to the development of mathematics.

Department of Physics

The Department of Physics offers a world-class education to its undergraduate and graduate students. Established in 1931, its current activities include elementary particle physics, nuclear physics, condensed matter physics, computational physics, interdisciplinary physics, and earth and space science.

Department of Biological Sciences

The Department of Biological Sciences comprises more than 20 laboratories of chemical biology, development and evolution, interdisciplinary biology, molecular cell biology, neurobiology, protein function and structure, and signal transduction biology. Here, you will find many world-class researchers conducting world-class research.

Curriculum

The curriculum includes intensive Japanese language education classes, preliminary science classes, liberal arts, and science major subjects. Further details on the curriculum are available.

Fees, Costs, and Financial Support

• Application fee: 26,800 yen
• Enrollment fee for the preliminary coursework: 84,600 yen
• Tuition fee for the preliminary coursework (6 months): 173,400 yen
• Enrollment fee for the undergraduate program: 282,000 yen
• Tuition fee for the undergraduate program per semester: 267,900 yen
• Estimated monthly living costs for students: 100,000 – 120,000 yen

Financial Support

There are various scholarships that IUPS students can apply for, such as scholarships from local governments, international associations, and private foundations. All students of the University of Osaka are eligible to apply for tuition fee exemption.

Campus Life and Extracurricular Activities

International students can learn and experience more of Japanese culture through events and activities organized at the university. Dedicated members of the staff are available for any type of advisement international students may want. Many clubs for extra-curricular activities are available on campus, and international students can be part of any club together with Japanese students.