Undergraduate
Takamura Yasutoki
Why did you choose to enter your current school/program?
I liked mathematics and science since I was a child. At first, I entered the General Education Division (GED) in the Institute of Liberal Arts and Science, a school where students can choose their department and academic field in their second year, and studied physics and chemistry there in my first year. The more I learned them, the more I would like to know them. In the second year, I decided to choose the Mathematical and Physical Science Division because I thought I could learn the fundamental of mathematics and sciences there.
How did you feel after you entered the division of Mathematical and Physical Science?
Professors are friendly and teach us sincerely. It’s easy to study what I like to learn outside my major. This division also provides us opportunity to learn other fields outside our major.
What do you currently learn?
I learn quantum mechanics, relativity theory, and nonequilibrium physics in classes. I found that what I have studied in the first two years of my study were related to each other. It makes studying fun.
Also, I learn computational physics a little now.
What would you like to be in the future?
I have not decided my future yet, but I would like to go to graduate school and do research. Since I am interested in antimatter which I knew from the physic textbook in high school, I would like to research something related with CP violation.
Utsunomiya Nobuhiko
Why did you choose to enter your current school/program?
I did not enter the School of Mathematics and Physics but I entered science course in General Education Division, a school where students can choose their own department and academic field in their second year. I visited the laboratories of various departments and listened to the teachers and senior students about their study as a freshman. They inspired me very much and I decided to choose physics coarse in School of Mathematics and Physics.
I have two reasons to enter physics coarse.
Physics is the fundamental of technology.
All kinds of current echnology, such as semiconductors and information technology, are based on physics. Learning physics is inevitable when you want to understand technologies or create a new one. When I visited engineering laboratory, the professors there strongly emphasized the importance of studying physics. Thus, I decided to study physics in the physics course because I thought that physics is indispensable to create something new.
Second, I can broaden my knowledge by studying physics. You can learn not only mechanics, thermodynamics, and quantum mechanics, but also programming techniques such as Linux, Python, and C, which are necessary to simulate physical phenomena, statistics to analyze data from experiments; and circuits as well as CAD techniques that are essential to create experimental equipment. Also, students will learn theories and how to think logically to analyze the data obtained. I chose to take the physics course because I thought it was the best course that would allow me to acquire such a wide range of scientific knowledge.
For these two reasons, I chose the physics course in the Mathematical and Physical Sciences among the various science courses.
How did you feel after you entered the division of Mathematical and Physical Science?
I felt two things when I entered the physics course in the Mathematical and Physical Sciences. The first is that the physics course gives students an environment where it is easy to work on your academic work. There are seminar rooms and lounges dedicated to each year, where you can study and chat at any time. The physics course also has its own library. My friends from other school said that the central library is the only place for them to study usually. Thus, the physics course has a very conducive environment for studying. In addition, many friends here study passionately, and I have good memories of staying with them to study at the university until 1 a.m.
Secondly, many professors and senior students here research passionately. I have once visited each laboratory in the physics course and listen to them. They explained their research in great detail and I strongly felt the interest in research. I also admired the work of my seniors who are in their fourth year created a large apparatus that took up an entire room and overturned what had been considered appropriate experimental methods.
The Physics Course in the Mathematical and Physical Sciences is an environment that is very conducive to academic work and research.
What do you currently learn?
I am currently in third year of undergraduate school. I mainly study at classes of quantum mechanics, perform the exercises with the exercise problems, and conduct physics experiments. The classes are very easy to understand because I can learn the viewpoints and interpretations that the professors have gained through their research, which I cannot understand from the textbooks alone. Also, in the exercises, I can deepen my understanding of the class by solving problems and discussing it with my teachers and friends. The surprise and excitement when I understand something that I never imagined before is irreplaceable. Even now, I am impressed the moment that the law of conservation of energy was derived from the equation of motion.
Physics experiments are my favorite subject. In the physics experiments, I observed phenomena such as X-rays, electric circuits, superconductivity, oscillators, and electrophoresis, and discuss them based on the knowledge learned in class. I can learn various techniques such as programming, electric circuits, signal processing, and statistics, which is very rewarding. And above all, it is very interesting to experience the actual connection between theory and phenomena, which I think is the real appeal of physics.
What would you like to be in the future?
Next month, I will be a fourth-year undergraduate student and will start my research in a laboratory. I haven’t decided what exactly I will do yet, but I hope to acquire more specialized knowledge of science and technology, such as physics and statistics, and logical thinking skills through my research activities. The ability of it will help me to live and work related to science now and after graduation. It will also be useful when learning something new. In today society, where skills are more important than ever, I believe that these skills will be indispensable in the long run. From now on, I will do my best in my research from the fourth year so that I can gain more experience.
Graduate
Low Temperature Physics Laboratory（Yoshida Group）
Hayato Makino
Why did you choose your current major and laboratory?
I have been interested in superconductivity since I was an undergraduate student. I decided to join this laboratory after I was invited to a seminar during coronavirus-restriction period and this laboratory research theme sounded interesting.。
What do you think has changed since you were an undergraduate?
Since joining this lab from undergraduate, I work more independently and since my work is not a group experiment, I consult the professor by myself daily to carry out my research. I also feel that I pay more attention to detail during my work, such as attaching terminals to small measurement samples.
What do you enjoy about research?
I enjoy investigating the results of my experiments. I especially enjoy it when I investigate experiment results that are contrary to my expectations and thinking about formulating a new method or hypothesis for my next experiment.
Elementary Particle, Cosmology, Theoretical Physics Laboratory
Daigo Shimoguchi
Why did you choose your current major and laboratory?
When I was in high school, I became interested in subatomic particles, which are the smallest unit of matter. I knew that Physics is the right field to study elementary particles, so I decided to major in physics because I want to give it a try and challenge myself in subatomic particles field.
What do you think has changed since you were an undergraduate?
I was at a different university for my undergraduate studies. I did research on a given theme there. On the other hand, in the laboratory I belong to now, I can decide the general direction of my research by myself. I have become interested in a variety of research subjects and topics.
What do you enjoy about research?
In theoretical research, I faced physics problems with only my mind as a tool. So, I like to spend time alone in a quiet place, thinking as much as I want.
Biophysics Laboratory（Watanabe Group）
Takaya Tatsuta
Why did you choose your current major and laboratory?
I chose this lab because I thought I would be able to improve my research’s skills on biophysics field through cutting-edge research available in this lab, and because it provided me an environment where I could do the research that I wanted to do.
What do you think has changed since you were an undergraduate?
The biggest difference is that when I was an undergraduate student, I mainly listened to lectures in the classroom, whereas in master’s degree research, I need to think and act on my own. Since I love research, I feel as if I am engrossed in doing what I love every day, and I am enjoying a fulfilling research life.
What do you enjoy about research?
I enjoy being able to pursue my interests in depth. I am mainly working on machine learning, and I am happy when I get the results that I want. Even if things don’t go as expected, I get a great sense of accomplishment when I can solve the problem.
Astrophysics Laboratory
Hatsune Goto
Why did you choose your current major and laboratory?
I majored in physics because I am fascinated by X-rays and gamma-rays. I joined the Astrophysics Laboratory because the laboratory does not only explore research on celestial objects, but also pursue space technology research that can be utilized on earth such as research on high-energy photon for medical CT scan. Moreover, in this laboratory I can find research topics that is suited to my interest.
What do you think has changed since you were an undergraduate?
As I became master student and conduct my research, I feel that I can find problems on my own and act independently to solve it. It’s different with my undergraduate year where I just spending time finishing assigned tasks from professor. Now, I have more challenging problems compared to my undergraduate year but somehow, I feel a greater sense of accomplishment when I could tackle it.
What do you enjoy about research?
I design and assemble experimental devices in my research, and I really enjoy the moment when I see my designs take shape. I am also happy when I imagine that the equipment’s I have made will be used for many years to come in actual experiments.
Nano Physics Laboratory
Kazu Hamamoto
Why did you choose your current major and laboratory?
I chose this course because I have passion in nano physics and it’s exciting to confirm theoretical predictions with experiments. Furthermore, Nano Physics Lab has many instruments that everyone can use individually, as such it is convenient to conduct independent research in this lab.
What do you think has changed since you were an undergraduate?
When I was an undergraduate, I was just a pupil who learned how to use lab’s instruments and theoretical concepts. But now as a graduate student, I feel that I could not positioned myself as if I was a pupil anymore, but as someone who teach what I work on to other people. As a result, I could see insufficient knowledge on my mind, work on it, and it has been a beneficial process for me.
What do you enjoy about research?
Since I can proceed with the experiment individually, I can do trial and error on my own. Also, it is interesting that the results of the experiments in my fields usually are shown in the forms of images, and so they are easier to understand.
Alumnus
Low Temperature Physics Laboratory
Graduated with a Master’s degree in 2020
Shota Watanabe
（System engineer of telecommunications carrier）
What did you study and research while you were in undergraduate and graduate school?
I researched magnetic refrigeration, a manifestation of magnetocaloric effect, which is a phenomenon where magnetic materials generate and absorb heat in response to changes in the external magnetic field. I researched on various magnetic materials and refrigeration equipment to use this technology for the liquefaction of hydrogen, which attracted attention as a clean energy source. Specifically, I explored magnetic materials that exhibit a large magnetic calorific effect at around 20 K, which is the hydrogen liquefaction temperature, and simulating the optimal combination of magnetic materials to improve the refrigeration capacity of the refrigerator.
What is your impression of your experiences during your study in Division of Mathematical and Physical Sciences?
I am genuinely glad to belong there. Since the Mathematical and Physical Sciences class attracts a wide variety of students, I was able to meet a diverse range of ideas from them. I missed the days I spent discussing and studying with fellow students for exams. School of Mathematics and Physics gives us opportunities such as presentation at the domestic and international conferences, studying abroad in a short-term program at Kazan University in Russia, writing paper for international journal, and conducting joint research with National Institute for Materials Science. It has been a busy but fulfilling days.
How did you decide on your career path after graduation?
I had vaguely thought to work at a company after graduation since I was an undergraduate student.
I entered the laboratory and created several useful programs to improve my research efficiency in university. And I was delighted to see that the products which I created there were helping other people. It made me want to work in the IT industry.
After narrowing down the industries to work in, I decided to do an internship to get actual work experience and found out what I wanted to do in the future. Doing internship gave me insight whether the company fit me and whether I could survive there. I participated in several internships and finally chose the current company.
Elementary Particle, Cosmology, Theoretical Physics Laboratory
Graduated with a Ph.D degree in 2007
Toru Sekido
（Ishikawa Faculty Comprehensive Training Center（Supervisor））
What did you study and research while you were an undergraduate and graduate?
I worked on a simulation-based analysis of quark confinement phenomena.
Although this was in the field of theoretical physics, I might have spent more time running the programming than the theory.
What is your impression of your experiences during your study in Division of Mathematical and Physical Sciences?
I stayed in Russia for a month to conduct joint research with an overseas research institute.
I participated in annual international conferences and had various experiences during my research.
Through these experiences, I not only have fun of physics, but also hone my communication skills and ability to manage to follow with any difficulties.
How did you decide on your career path after graduation?
I approached many research institutes overseas and in Japan, but to be a researcher was daunting.
I worked as a part-time teacher at a private high school for one year. There, I realized that researching physics on my own is fun but conveying the fun of physics to students is also fun. I took the teacher employment examination. You never know what you can do until you try it.