Major Programs
Applied Life Science Program
Teaching a wide range of advanced expertise and experimental techniques on life phenomena of microorganisms, plants and animals, and their applications, the Applied Life Science Program strives to foster human resources who can be active in bio related fields, concerning chemicals (pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, chemical products), food, the environment, agriculture, and energy, to meet the latest needs in bioscience, biotechnology, and genome science.
Food Science Program
The food product industry has prospered in Niigata Prefecture where more than 1,000 companies related to food and beverage manufacturing are in active. Education in the Food Science Program consists of lectures, factory tours and internship experiences in close cooperation with public research institutions and corporations. Students learn fundamental contents in food science, including chemical and nutritional properties, palatability, health-promoting functions, and evaluation methods for characteristics of food. Additionally, the program actively promotes collaborations and joint research projects with various faculties, public research institutions or corporations. In parallel with fulfilling lecture courses, conducting experiments and graduation research are also carried out for acquiring advanced knowledge and technology, which are the strengths of the program.
Program of Agriculture and Bioresources
Students in our program can learn a wide range of advanced knowledge on development and utilization of agro-biological resources, such as soil, rice, field crops, and industrial animals by using vast fields of food systems. The program covers development and testing of new varieties of agricultural products; production and diffusion; distribution and processing; and consumption and its circulation. Students conduct a research by using farm sites to get experience about the real sense of agriculture that cannot be obtained only in the laboratories!
The program includes many opportunities to visit rural areas in Niigata, one of the country's leading agricultural prefectures, with other students and think about regional problems together with local people while having an international perspective. This can be the first step in thinking scientifically about possible measures for sustainable development of agriculture and rural areas, and solutions for food and resource problems in Japan and the world.
Students can also learn about many life phenomena, ranging from flowers, fruits, vegetables, grains, and animals to viruses. Although it is hard to clarify the unique features of animals and plants, the results obtained after the efforts bring great pleasure to the students.
Program of Environmental Science for Agriculture and Forestry
To promote sustainable agricultural and forestry practices in balance with the natural environment, the Program of Environmental Science for Agriculture and Forestry strives to develop human resources with a wide range of expertise and skills encompassing sustainable forest management, ecosystem conservation, soil and water conservation, agricultural production systems, and the use of information networks. In addition to learning specialized knowledge through lectures, there are many field and laboratory training courses, where you can engage in active-learning.
Program of Field Research in the Environmental Sciences
The Program of Field Research in the Environmental Sciences is a joint program between the Faculty of Science and the Faculty of Agriculture. Students will learn basic science and applied science at the same time. The program fosters human resources with practical abilities to combine the knowledge and skills necessary in various applied situations. By collaborating with Sado Island Center for Ecological Sustainability and Research Institute for Natural Hazards & Disaster Recovery, we will provide the scientific opportunities based on long-term research and monitoring of organisms and the environment.