UENO Kosei
Dean
Graduate School of Chemical Sciences and Engineering
Contemporary society faces complex, global-scale challenges, including energy and environmental issues, resource circulation, stable supplies of food and water, advances in medical technologies, and the integration of information science with traditional disciplines. Many of these challenges are fundamentally rooted in the creation, transformation, and control of matter. At the core of these endeavors lies chemistry. By understanding the structures and reactions of matter at the atomic and molecular levels and designing new functionalities, chemistry has developed through the dual pursuit of fundamental scientific inquiry and practical applications in society. Our Graduate School covers a broad spectrum of disciplines from theoretical and computational chemistry to physical chemistry, organic chemistry, inorganic and materials chemistry, and biological chemistry, promoting cutting-edge education and research with the aim of nurturing the next generation of leaders in science and technology.
Our Graduate School is uniquely structured upon the integration of the Department of Chemistry in the Faculty of Science, which emphasizes fundamental principles, and the Division of Applied Chemistry in the Faculty of Engineering, which focuses on practical applications. In addition, we collaborate closely with several research institutes within Hokkaido University, including the Institute for Catalysis, the Research Institute for Electronic Science, and the Institute for Genetic Medicine, as well as with external institutions such as the National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS), the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), and RIKEN. With 50 participating laboratories, we have established a comprehensive and systematic curriculum that bridges scientific and engineering perspectives, making our Graduate School one of the most distinctive programs in chemical sciences in Japan.
- Molecular Chemistry Course:
- Materials Chemistry Course:
- Biological Chemistry Course:
Control and analysis of reactions at the molecular level; development of catalysts to achieve efficient reactions; and integrated reaction development and process design utilizing such catalytic systems.
Creation of novel functional materials—including organic polymers, inorganic materials, metallic materials, and nanomaterials—by hierarchically assembling molecules and atoms, as well as the development of their composite systems.
Artificial control of biological systems based on chemical analyses of the structures and functions of cells and organisms, and the design of medical and healthcare-related materials that express diverse biological functions.
To advance the internationalization of education, our Graduate School actively participates in programs such as the Hokkaido Summer Institute and Learning Satellite, where students attend lectures in English with students from around the world at Hokkaido University or partner institutions abroad. We also promote overseas research experiences through programs such as Short Visit (SV), support the acceptance of international graduate students through Short Stay (SS), and encourage doctoral students to take leadership roles in organizing initiatives such as the Chemical Sciences and Engineering (CSE) Summer School. Through these efforts, we develop researchers and engineers who possess cross-cultural understanding and strong global communication skills.
Furthermore, beyond fostering advanced expertise, we encourage participation in interdisciplinary graduate education programs designed to develop broader perspectives. In particular, the Ambitious Leader Program (ALP) for Frontier Materials Science and the Smart Materials Science (SMatS) Program integrate experimental science with mathematical science, computational science, and data science to nurture individuals capable of generating new value in materials science. Through initiatives such as EXEX (Excellent & Experienced Doctoral Fellowship), we also provide doctoral students with a strong foundation to become independent researchers who can thrive in the international community.
To support diverse career paths and professional development for doctoral students, our Graduate School participates in the Ph.Discover project. By strengthening collaboration with industry and offering opportunities to envision concrete career paths after earning a doctoral degree, we enhance students’ motivation to pursue doctoral studies and create an environment in which they can devote themselves fully to research.
Guided by the four founding principles of Hokkaido University, “Frontier Spirit”, “Global Perspectives”, “All-round Education”, and “Practical Learning”, which have been upheld since the days of Sapporo Agricultural College, the Graduate School of Chemical Sciences and Engineering is committed to fostering the next generation of frontrunners in chemistry and related fields. We sincerely hope that your studies and research here will lead to significant personal and professional growth.
April 1, 2026