The Department of Marine Science covers a wide range of marine biology topics
The Department of Marine Science conducts research and provides education in a wide range of areas, including marine organisms such as plankton, fish, and marine mammals (Aquatic Life Field); efficient and sustainable production and utilization of marine organisms as food resources, different from terrestrial plants and animals (Resource Production and Utilization Field); and the marine environment, from the micro- to the macrolevel, surrounding marine organisms (Marine Environment Field).
Curriculum to train professionals in breeding, exhibition, and food
Students can also learn the techniques and methods required to communicate the characteristics and appeal of marine life to people through basic and applied lectures and experiments related to marine life, subjects related to exhibiting living organisms (such as marine life exhibition studies and aquarium theory), and internships at public aquariums and other facilities. In the food hygiene course, students also acquire the qualifications necessary to work in the food hygiene sector as managers and inspectors, to ensure food safety and security.
Marine field science with an emphasis on practical learning
The department emphasizes field research that involves actual contact with a variety of marine organisms. For this purpose, we have established the "Shimoda Marine Station" in Shimoda City, Shizuoka Prefecture. In addition to the research vessel "Suzaki II (9.1 tonnages)", the laboratory building is equipped with an underwater drone, an aquarium room, microscopes, and other experimental equipment, and is used for various experiments, practical training, and research. Also, the Shonan Campus houses the Marine Biology Experiment Center, which is equipped with facilities for fish breeding, genetic analysis, chemical composition analysis, and so on.
Expanding career paths based on marine biology
Each faculty member in our department is an expert in a particular field; thus, a diverse range of research areas are covered. There are various institutions with which each faculty member conducts joint research, including university laboratories in the same and different fields (including overseas laboratories), aquariums, national research institutes and fishery experimental stations, private companies and their research institutes, and many others. After being assigned to a laboratory, students can customize their own career path through joint research during practical training, graduation research, and other activities.
