In addition to the five departments, the Graduate School of Science also includes the following affiliated facilities. Many of the faculty members of these facilities participate in graduate education at the GSS through joint appointments to one of the five departments.
Botanical Gardens (Koishikawa, Nikko)
The University of Tokyo Botanical Gardens consist of the main garden in Tokyo, which originated as the Koishikawa Medical Herb Garden of the Tokugawa Shogunate in 1684 and was annexed to the University in 1977, and the branch garden in Nikko, which was established in 1902. Both gardens have excellent facilities and wild plant collections that contribute to research and education in the plant sciences, and together, they have been the leading research botanical gardens in Japan. Both are open to the public.
The Misaki Marine Biological Station (MMBS)
The Misaki Marine Biological Station is located in one of the world's richest regions in terms of biodiversity. Taking advantage of the abundant marine life available there, extensive research and training are being conducted at MMBS. In 2009, the Center for Marine Biology, an interfaculty research organization of the University of Tokyo, was established at MMBS with the aims of creating a frontline research center in biology and promoting international collaboration.
Research Centre for Spectrochemistry (RCS)
Current research at the Research Centre for Spectrochemistry mainly covers ultrafast (pico- to nanoseconds) Raman and synchrotron radiation spectroscopy. Spectroscopic observation of living cells or functional molecules such as ionic liquids is also being undertaken at RCS. This research is related not only to chemistry but also to other scientific disciplines, including clinical diagnosis, and to the development of inter- and multidisciplinary sciences. RCS also maintains and manages various spectroscopic instruments for common use.
Geochemical Research Center (GRC)
The Geochemical Research Center conducts fundamental research on Earth and planetary materials. GRC research activities cover the chemistry of Earth and planetary materials and the behavior of fluids in volcanic and earthquake activity. To understand the behavior of hydrous volatiles in the Earth and planetary interiors, GRC has been designated as a core research group for developing neutron diffraction techniques at high pressure. State-of-the-art noble gas mass spectrometry developed by GRC contributes to the understanding of the evolution of the solar system and mantle dynamics of the Earth. GRC's synergy of fundamental and field research will open up new avenues in geoscience.
Short History and Research Activities
Institute of Astronomy (IoA) (Mitaka, Kiso Observatory, The Mini-TAO telescope)
The Institute of Astronomy promotes both research and educational activities in the field of optical, infrared and radio astronomy. A wide spectrum of research is conducted at IoA, from the origin of the solar system to the birth and death of stars, evolution of galaxies, and cosmology. IoA operates a 1m infrared telescope at an observatory in Atacama, Chile and a 1.05m Schmidt telescope in Nagano Prefecture, as well as a 10m submillimeter antenna in Chile in collaboration with the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan. Together with other large ground-based facilities and satellite observatories like Subaru and Akari, IoA is at the cutting-edge of astronomy today.
Center for Nuclear Study (CNS)
The Center for Nuclear Study plays a central role in nuclear science research and education at the University of Tokyo. Moreover, CNS is a well-known institute in the international community of nuclear physics, and serves as one of the major research and education centers in the field. The primary emphasis in its current research activities is on heavy-ion science. In close collaboration with RIKEN, where the major facilities of CNS are located, a variety of advanced studies on heavy-ion science are being conducted. CNS has also established itself as an international base for research and training in nuclear science.
Research Center for the Early Universe (RESCEU)
The Research Center for the Early Universe is conducting research in cosmology and astrophysics, with special emphasis on "understanding the universe through three steps: baryons, dark matter, and dark energy." In addition to theoretical study, RESCEU's activities include astrophysical observations at optical, submillimeter, and X-ray wavelengths. RESCEU also conducts experimental searches for gravitational waves and dark-matter particles, and carries out balloon observations of cosmic anti-particles. These activities are carried out in close collaboration with the Department of Physics, the Department of Astronomy, and the Institute of Astronomy.
Short History and Research Activities
Center for Ultrafast Intense Laser Science (CUILS)
The Center for Ultrafast Intense Laser Science is dedicated to exploring through international research cooperation the frontiers in the interdisciplinary research field of Ultrafast Intense Laser Science. CUILS aims to activate research and researcher exchanges as a central organization in the international research network to train young researchers so that they can play a leading role in the international research community in the future, and to further the training of graduate students in the University of Tokyo's master's program in advanced optical science in tandem with the activities of the Consortium on Education and Research on Advanced Laser Science (CORAL) and in cooperation with other universities and private companies.
Molecular Genetics Research Laboratory (MGRL)
The Molecular Genetics Research Laboratory provides advanced research instruments and lab space for University of Tokyo faculty members in order to assist and promote their research. The research groups in MGRL share a common interest in the molecular basis of life and its genetic disorders. Their research aims at understanding how thousands of genes and their encoded proteins serve to bring about the highly coordinated behavior of cells and tissues. The research groups approach this goal from many levels of organization, ranging from individual cells to multicellular systems and the whole organism, from mammals to plants.
Institute for Photon Science and Technology (IPST)
Institute for Photon Science and Technology is exploring the sciences of laser physics and light-matter interaction in atoms and solid states. In addition to such activities, we are working in interdisciplinary fields with medical science, pharmaceutical science and bioscience to implement joint research. This knowledge and its outcome are utilized to develop new and practical technologies through joint developments together with industry. Furthermore, with the aid of rich environments of diversity, human resource development is also one of our aims.
Universal Biology Institute (UBI)
The Universal Biology Institute is dedicated to elucidate the underlying mechanisms universal to all living organisms by integrating knowledge of biology, mathematics, and physics. UBI is founded by centralizing research groups from theoretical biology and quantitative experimental biology at The University of Tokyo, with the goal of establishing a new world-class academic field and nurturing students with an overview of biology, mathematics, and physics throughout undergraduate and graduate studies.
UTokyo Organization for Planetary and Space Science (UTOPS)
The UTokyo Organization for Planetary and Space Science (UTOPS) promotes the wide field of planetary science and astronomy by pursuing fundamental questions on universe and planets. Specifically, UTOPS builds a high-level educational and research system with academic variety beyond the existing framework of departments and facilities in order to contribute to the field of planetary science and astronomy and also to foster next-generation leaders for international flagship research projects. Furthermore, UTOPS builds infrastructure for space research covering both science and engineering aspects and promote new research fields by university-wide interdisciplinary collaborations for answering fundamental questions about the universe and planets.
Institute for Physics of Intelligence (iΠ)
The rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI) will profoundly change human life and society. AI will also make a number of breakthroughs and discoveries in science. The Institute for Physics of Intelligence conducts research to understand why machine learning and AI work so effectively on the basis of the fundamental laws of physics. Ultimately, we aspire to understand the physical and mathematical structures about how human intelligence emerges. We intend to achieve this goal through the interplay among physics, mathematics and information science.
International Center for Elementary Particle Physics (ICEPP)
Designated one of the University of Tokyo's University-wide Centers, the International Center for Elementary Particle Physics studies the most fundamental particles and forces of nature, using the world's most advanced particle accelerators.
Note) ICEPP is one of the university-wide centers.