Message from the Leader                       

Various phenomena and structures observed in biological world, materials and space can be considered as one of the aspects that self-organization systems exhibit as a result of the interplay between various elements (multi-components). Physics of the 20th century focused upon simple systems composed of single type or few types of components, but in this 21st Century COE (center of excellence) program we challenge the new objectives of physics, i.e., "self-organizing systems composed of multi-components", in order to create a new field and establish universal comprehension in physics. The typical example of such a system is the biological system. Even though it is a living organism, it is a "product" created by the nature. It may be said therefore that a living being is a fascinating research object for physics of the 21st century. It is a fascinating goal for the physicists to reveal the mechanism, structure, and organization of biological systems from the viewpoint of physics and to solve the puzzle of a biological system as a physical one, just as the physics of space and materials. Even more so, as their components are created in the same environment, there must exist a common law that governs living organisms and materials, and materials and space.

Therefore, we do not only study these three separate fields, but we also postulate that living organisms, materials, and space have strong mutual links and study them unitedly, as a single whole, or "matter".
It is the long-standing tradition of Waseda University to emphasize the practical approach to science. However, in this COE program, we look to come up with a new dimension of physics as a basic science. While taking advantage of Waseda tradition to prioritize the applied science, we aim to establish a research group that will be able to contribute to the development of basic science.

In particular, we commit ourselves to the education of young talented researchers. In order to venture into unknown realms of physics and explore frontier fields, the enthusiasm of a young researcher is necessary. The Major in Pure and Applied Physics of Waseda University fully has a potential to produce the next-generation scientists.

For the realization of this program, we intend to create the cross-field education system based on the holistic approach to the research (that is, the whole is considered as having one organic connection, rather than simply being the sum of its parts). We will enhance the graduate programs by introducing the "Wake-up program for graduate students". We will also establish the "Holistic Research and Education Center for Physics of Self-Organizing Systems" as the division of the Project Research Institute of Waseda University and will launch the new research projects. Utilizing these systems, we will encourage the active involvement of graduate students and young researchers, create a liberal "field" of study, where professors, post-doctors, and students are mutually effected, and make a concerted effort to explore the novel realm of physics which holistically combines biophysics, materials science, and astrophysics.

The aims of this program are as follows:

(1) To break down the barriers between fields and laboratories in order to encourage collaborative research, enhance the active transaction of theory and experiment, fuse science and engineering, and create a liberal "field" for research and education where every member of the team can freely discuss opinions and exchange ideas.

(2) To establish systems harmonically fitting into the 21st Century COE concept, which provide for the effective collaboration with the international community. Such systems will include the exchange agreements with foreign research and educational institutions (exchange programs for researchers and graduate students), and creation of the worldwide networks for the research cooperation.

(3) To generate the research results notable for both quantity and quality, and develop many young strong-minded researchers for the society.

(4) To introduce to the international community the novel field of physics, "Physics of self-organizing systems composed of
multi-components".

                                                                             Waseda University
                                                        Major in Pure and Applied Physics
                                                              COE Leader Shin'ichi Ishiwata