Overview of the Department

Study of laws and principles in nature

What kind of Study?

Physics is one of the natural sciences and is the most fundamental of all of these fields. Physicists conduct research into the fundamental physical laws of nature, encompassing the vast expanse of the cosmos to the tiniest elementary particles, from living organisms to artificial materials. New discoveries of hetherto unknown phenomena and theoretical analysis carried out by physicists have provided the essential underpinning for rapid development of modern technologies. Emphasis in the Physics Department of Keio University is placed not only on performing research about natural phenomena but also on giving impact to various fields of engineering. For this purpose, we are engaging actively in experimental research about physical properties of materials under various conditions in the fields of condensed matter physics, biophysics, atomic and molecular physics, and optics. Futhermore, the department has also experts in other fields including field theory, equilibrium and nonequilibrium statistical physics, and molecular dynamics.

Educational Goal

The educational aim for undergraduates is to give opportunities for acquiring good understanding of the fundamental mechanisms of physical phenomena, with particular emphasis on application aspects of various fields of physics. You will learn how to think critically, creatively and analytically, how to solve problems and how to integrate ideas, in short, how physicists approach all kinds of difficult questions. This provides you the ability and confidence to tackle challenging problems in your career.

Curriculum

During the sophomore and junior years, the core subjects of physics such as analytical dynamics, electromagnetism, quantum mechanics, thermal and statistical mechanics, and mathematics necessary for physics are studied.Furthermore, during junior year, you experience the real pleasure of physics through experimental studies and theoretical exercises. From the latter half of junior year till the end of the senior year, lectures are given on specific subjects such as condensed matter physics, biophysics, optics, relativity, applied physics, nuclear and particle physics, geophysics and astrophysics. During senior year, each student belongs to a laboratory of his/her choice and carries out graduation studies to complete the Bachelor's thesis.

Career Options

About 90% of students go on to graduate courses toward a master's degree. and about a quarter of them advance further to the doctoral course. Graduate students participate actively and often play a major role in forefront of research of an international caliber. Reflecting the great expectation of society toward students of the physics major, job offers are plentiful.

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