History

• Our Timeless Founding Spirit "Building a better future with Science"

  • The Tokyo Butsurigaku Koshujo (Tokyo Academy of Physics), the forerunner of the Tokyo University of Science, was founded in 1881. The Academy was the brainchild of 21 young scientists who had just graduated from the Department of Physicsat the University of Tokyo (then the Imperial University). Two years later, the academy was renamed the Tokyo Butsuri Gakko (Tokyo College of Science). At the time, there was a strong popular movement for democratic rights. In this climate, while teaching and research in the fields of politics, economics and law came to the fore, there was a tendency to downplay the importance of teaching and research in science.

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  • Nevertheless, the University's founders championed the founding principle of "Building a better future with Science", and advocated a movement of their own to promote science. Their passion for science was shared by the professors of the University of Tokyo at the time, and with the support of people who went on to become the president of the University of Tokyo and leaders of RIKEN, the founders pressed on with their educational activities. During the subsequent years of the Meiji Period until the founding of Kyoto Imperial University in 1897, natural sciences were taught in Japan only at the University of Tokyo and the Tokyo University of Science.

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  • Hitoshi Terao, the first president of the Tokyo University of Science, served concurrently as the first director of the Astronomical Observatory of the Tokyo Imperial University College of Science (Faculty of Science). Kiyoo Nakamura, the second president of the Tokyo University of Science, held the concurrent position of director of the Central Meteorological Observatory. These were interesting times when a single individual could work at a national government institution while presiding over a private university. Kyohei Nakamura, the third president of the University, was a good friend of the author Soseki Natsume, and is said to have been a model for the main character in Natsume's novel I Am a Cat ("Wagahai Wa Neko De Aru"). Their friendship is also cited as a reason why the protagonist of the novel Botchan is a Tokyo College of Science graduate.

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  • Every one of these early presidents was determined to pursue science in the Meiji Period and devoted all their youthful enthusiasm to this calling. According to the rules set by the founders, nobody was permitted to be late for class, and professors lectured without pay. Cancellation of class by an instructor was punishable by a fine. It was this strict approach to self-discipline that shaped the university's culture of "Achieving Excellence" from within, and that laid the foundation for the University's subsequent prosperity.

• Producing Numerous Graduates Responsible for the Future of Japanese Science and Technology

  • 140 years have passed since our founding as a pioneer in private-sector science education. Today, the Tokyo University of Science has developed into Japan's largest comprehensive science and technology university. During this period, the University has produced numerous graduates who have supported Japanese scientific and technological advancement. Furthermore, the University has adopted a new teaching principle for nurturing younger generations who will be responsible for the future, as follows: "Innovation in Science and Technology for Sustainable Development" Our objective is to nurture science and technology professionals equipped with not only specialized knowledge, but also a well-rounded education and high ethical standards, as well as good character and international perspectives.

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  • Efforts are also focused on laying the groundwork for pursuing internationally competitive research. In fact, many of our initiatives have been adopted by various programs of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. The Tokyo University of Science will continue to press on to earn high esteem internationally in terms of both teaching and research excellence.

• Chronology

  1881

  21 young bachelors of science from Tokyo University establish "Tokyo Butsuri Koshujo" (Tokyo Academy of Physics). Embracing the ideal of "National prosperity built through the promotion of science", they teach students without pay.

  

  1883

  The academy is renamed "Tokyo Butsuri Gakko" (Tokyo College of Science), and Hitoshi Terao becomes the first president. A "sustaining alliance" maintains the college through contributions of 30 Yen per person.

  

  1888

  Unification of physical terms. A compilation of translations of three languages: English, French, and German.

  

  1889

  Its reputation in the education of science and mathematics teachers improves, drawing young people aiming to become scientists to the school building in Ogawamachi from all over the country. The first issue of the alumni bulletin is released. Later on, this contributes to the advance of scientific research.

  1906

  The new school building in Kagurazaka is completed. Attracted by its pioneer-like presence in scientific research, students gather from all over the country. It becomes known as a "school famous for failed exams".

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  1916

  Graduate Kinnosuke Ogura acquires an academic degree. He is the first doctor of science from a private sector university. Two laboratories boasting cutting-edge equipment are completed: one for chemistry and one for physics.

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  1930

  A ceremony commemorating the 50th anniversary of its foundation is held. Its position as an educational institution for science is firmly established.

  1941

  After the outbreak of the Pacific War, there is a rush of prospective students from all over Japan applying for admission. The College continues teaching while overcoming much hardship and war damage.

  1949

  Educational reform brings about a new age, and the College is renamed to "Tokyo University of Science". It makes another start as a single-faculty university offering only a Faculty of Science Division.

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  1960

  The Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences (Department of Pharmacy) is established. In 1962, the Faculty of Engineering is added, and in 1967, the Faculty of Science and Technology is established, bringing the university a huge step forward on the road to becoming a general university for science and engineering.

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  1981

  The centennial serves as an occasion for many projects carried out ahead of the times. Construction of new Building No. 1 in Kagurazaka. Compilation of "Tokyo University of Science: 100 years of history". A ceremony commemorating the 100th anniversary of the foundation is held.

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  1987

  The Faculty of Industrial Science and Technology is established. A unique experiment is started, under which students spend their first year in Oshamambe, Hokkaido. In the same year, the Tokyo University of Science, Yamaguchi College is established [renamed to Tokyo University of Science, Yamaguchi in 1995], and in 1990, the Tokyo University of Science, Suwa College is established [renamed to Tokyo University of Science, Suwa in 2002].

  

  1993

  The School of Management is established.

  1996

  The first "graduate school partner program" at a private-sector university is launched. Collaboration with 18 national and private laboratories. Invitations to guest professors, and dispatch of students to laboratories for technology exchange.

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  2004

  Specialist Graduate School is established. The school offers technology management education aiming for a practical fusion of general science and technology with business management.

  

  2006

  A ceremony commemorating the 125th anniversary of the foundation is held.

  

  2013

  The establishment of the Katsushika campus.

  

  2016

  The Tokyo University of Science, Yamaguchi becomes a municipal university corporation, and is renamed to Sanyo-Onoda City University.

  2018

  The Tokyo University of Science, Suwa becomes a municipal university corppration, and is renamed to Suwa University of Science.