Center for Frontier Science

The Center for Frontier Science (CFS) administers the Frontier Science Program (FSP), which is open to gifted students permitted to enter Chiba University before graduating from high school. The policy of CFS is to encourage talented students to become scientists in the natural sciences, especially physics, chemistry and plant biology, and in engineering and the human sciences. Since we believe that some special measures are needed for this purpose, special seminars for the above five fields are delivered to the CFS students in order to stimulate their interest. Beside these seminars, some liberal arts seminars are also arranged. CFS also has strong links with high school teachers, and exchanges opinions with them on education systems for young people. This is not only to seek better educational methods in the FSP, but also to prevent young people from losing their interest in science, which we think is a large problem in the Japanese educational system.

Frontier Science Program

The Frontier Science Program, in which gifted students get professional education in science as regular students before graduating from high schools, is designed to foster highly creative young scientists and researchers venturing out into the world. We call for applicants in winter and spring. Successful candidates start their study in the 6 fields and 14 classes at Chiba University either from April or September. The curriculum is enriched by one month of English training in Canada. The small-group instruction, seminars, and majority of alumni continued their studies at graduate schools at Chiba University or other universities. Some of them are teaching at universities or working as scientists and engineers in research institutes.

Development

This Frontier Science Program was established in 1998. In the first year, we had only three freshmen majoring in Physics and Applied Physics. Since then we have expanded the program to cover Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Plant Biology, various fields of Engineering, and Human Sciences. Currently this program consists of the six fields listed below. The bar chart below shows statistics concerning the applicants and successful candidates in the four fields. We are proud to be pioneers in offering early enrollment in Japan, as early enrollment is popular in many countries. Our program is still number one in Japan in terms of the number of alumni and the variety of courses offered. This program receives special support from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology. We are aiming to make further improvements in the quality of education we offer.

Statistics of Applications and Successful Candidates by year

Statistics of Applications and Successful Candidates by year

Affiliation of Alumni after Graduation

Affiliation of Alumni after  Graduation

Six fields

1 Physics

Physics seeks to grasp the universal laws embedded in various natural phenomena. The research subjects range widely from the microscopic worlds of elementary particles and atoms through condensed matter to stars and galaxies. We welcome young students interested in understanding the principles of Physics and aiming to become researchers.

2 Chemistry

Chemistry is the scientific field where the essential character of materials is studied by examining their properties, structure, reactive propensities and so on. It is important in daily life, advancing technology, and understanding the natural environment and living organisms. Students in this program can study physical chemistry, inorganic chemistry, analytical chemistry, environmental chemistry, organic chemistry, and biochemistry to understand the intrinsic properties and potential uses of materials.

3 Biology

Biology aims to elucidate the underlying principle of life, with a wide range of viewpoints including microscopic studies focusing on biomolecules such as DNA and protein, and macroscopic ones addressing biological systems such as cells, organisms, community, and ecosystems. Through the program enabling to experience latest researches even in the first grade, we expect students to become researchers in the future.

4 Plant Biology

Plant Biology seeks to elucidate biological events and the structure and function of the biomolecules in plants and micro-organisms. Focusing on plant bio-resources and bio-molecules, research projects aim to clarify cellular mechanisms and molecular function through the use of chemical and biological methods.

5 Engineering

Engineering comprises a wide range of special fields including architecture, urban environment systems, industrial design, mechanical engineering, medical engineering, electrical and electronic engineering, materials science, applied chemistry and biotechnology, and information engineering. Students are encouraged to probe the frontiers of technology.

6 Human Sciences

Human sciences utilize methods based on the natural sciences for analyzing the human mind, culture, and society. For example, this subject explores from the viewpoint of information processing such philosophical questions as “what makes one person distinct from all others?” Similarly the ability to interpret the surrounding environment from what we perceive is related to the functions of eyes and brain in this new science.

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