Graduate School of Environmental Science The Graduate School of Environmental Studies (GSES) was established in 1977 as the first graduate school in Japan with the title of "Environmental Science" and is an independent graduate school with a long history. It has demonstrated leadership in addressing the various environmental problems that have become more serious since the latter half of the 20th century.
Now in the 21st century, the issues surrounding the global environment have become more complex and global in nature, as exemplified by climate change and biodiversity loss. In order to develop human resources capable of responding to these circumstances, the current Graduate School of Environmental Science involves approximately 130 faculty members from seven research organizations within the university (Faculty of Environmental Earth Science, Institute of Low Temperature Science, Research Institute for Electronic Science, Institute for Catalysis, Field Science Center for Northern Biosphere, Faculty of Fisheries Sciences, Arctic Research Center), who are engaged in a wide range of research and education aimed at realizing a sustainable society.
In addition to the three departments (Geosphere Science, Biosphere Science, and Environmental Material Science), which offer environmental science courses based on earth science, biological science, and material science, respectively, the Department of Environmental Science and Technology has been established with a focus on training advanced professionals who can tackle environmental issues from a more comprehensive and interdisciplinary perspective. This will contribute to the achievement of Goals 7, 13, and 15 of the SDGs, which are closely related to the global environment.
In addition, the school has international students from nearly 30 countries and regions (equivalent to about 30% of the enrolled students), providing an international educational environment that contributes to Goals 4, 5, and 10.