Earth Science encompasses the study of our Earth, and in particular, its origin, its history, its structure, its evolution of life, and the processes that have molded it. Additionally, the fields of study have been extended to include the solid planets of the solar system. These must be difficult studies that would lead to many questions for many people, but we would not be able to understand the root of the global environmental issues and problems and of the international-scaled resource competitions without understanding each system that is contributing to the construction of an entire “planetary earth” as a whole in addition to knowing the relation of each from a total system perspective. We, the Department of Earth Science of Tohoku University, are therefore providing the following education and research programs to support understanding of the “Planetary Earth” from a comprehensive perspective.
Undergraduate Program
The Department of Earth Science offers outstanding opportunities for students who wish to pursue studies related to Earth and planetary environmental and materials science, including human geography, which are of unprecedented importance to contemporary society. Because the Earth’s integrated systems are interconnected, the training broadly incorporates the whole Earth, including the crust, mantle, core, ocean, atmosphere, space, and life. Students are collectively assigned to the Department of Earth Science and are trained in basic science (broad disciplines of physics, mathematics, chemistry, language, economics, and social science) during the first three semesters. Students are assigned to either division (Geoenvironmental Science or Earth and Planetary Materials Science) according to their interests from the fourth semester. In the divisions, students learn the following.
Division of Geoenvironmental Science is devided into two upper-level programs that specifically examine 1) Geological and Paleontological Science, and 2) Geographical Science. Students complete their undergraduate thesis in two years, which affords them the opportunity to do original research under the guidance of department faculty, involving fieldwork or laboratory work on original data and samples. The career opportunities made possible by our division are diverse, spanning private oil-related and electronics companies, governments, high-school teaching, and graduate studies.
Division of Earth and Planetary Materials Science: The undergraduate program of the division is designed to provide students with thorough training in the geological and planetary sciences. We offer lectures on mineralogy, petrology, geochemistry, volcanology, and mineral physics combined with practical training in fieldwork and basic mineral/chemical analyses. Students complete their undergraduate thesis by their final year, which affords them the opportunity to do original research under the guidance of department faculty, involving fieldwork or laboratory work using original data and samples. Career opportunities for graduates of our division are diverse, such as graduate school, governments, and private companies related to natural resources and ceramics.
Graduate School Program
The Master’s program typically requires two years and requires a thesis. The doctorate program, which culminates with the production of a dissertation, typically requires three years. Its flexible programs are tailored to the needs of individual students.
As never before, we could not live on the Earth without understanding what consequences human activities are having on global warming. Moreover, we must mitigate against the ill efforts of earthquakes, landslides, and volcanic eruptions. These practical aspects of society are increasingly impacted by our relationships with the Earth. Therefore, we must understand the whole nature of the Earth from deep underground to space through time. Our Earth Science Department is pursuing studies to understand the entire picture of the evolution of the Earth and life, and to envision its future. We are actively facilitating research and educational alliances to advance collaboration between science and engineering related Earth and Planetary Science at Tohoku University. With further developments in cutting-edge technology in Earth and Planetary Science, we can also clarify the total picture of the evolution of the Earth and life.
IGPAS Graduate School Program
We offer students master’s and PhD courses with diverse lectures, including Rock and Mineral Science, Geography, and Origin of the Earth and LIfe. Students in the master’s and PhD courses mostly focus on their scientific research under the guidance of faculty. They typically learn to find scientific open questions, to design research, to conduct experiments, fieldwork, and/or analyses, and to describe their findings as theses and dissertations. They also learn to present their research in scientific meetings. The Master’s program typically requires two years and requires a thesis. The doctorate program, which culminates with the production of a dissertation, typically requires three years. Its flexible programs are tailored to the needs of individual students. Career opportunities for graduates of this program are diverse, including university faculties and government officers of their contraries.