2025 (Current Year) Faculty Courses School of Life Science and Technology First-Year Courses
School of Life Science and Technology Literacy
- Academic unit or major
- First-Year Courses
- Instructor(s)
- Yuki Yamaguchi / Kumi Kuroda / Naohiko Koshikawa / Tetsuya Kadonosono / Kazushi Kinbara / Hideya Yuasa / Hiroyuki Nakamura / Takeshi Hata / Yoshiaki Masaki / Satoshi Okada / Hiroshi Iwasaki / Masaaki Wachi / Shinji Masuda / Mie Shimojima / Nobuhiro Nakamura / Kanami Orihara / Masato Nikaido / Toshiaki Fukushima / Fumi Kano / Takafumi Ueno / Toshiaki Kamachi / Akio Kitao / Eiry Kobatake / Satoshi Murakami / Nobuhiro Hayashi
- Class Format
- Exercise (Face-to-face)
- Media-enhanced courses
- -
- Day of week/Period
(Classrooms) - 5-6 Fri
- Class
- -
- Course Code
- XLS.B105
- Number of credits
- 020
- Course offered
- 2025
- Offered quarter
- 2-3Q
- Syllabus updated
- Mar 24, 2025
- Language
- Japanese
Syllabus
Course overview and goals
In this course, problem-based learning (PBL) exercises and group work will be conducted repeatedly to develop literacy, fundamental expertise, and creativity in the field of life science and technology. The objectives of this course are as follows:
(1) To cultivate literacy in life science and technology, which includes the ability to gather and analyze information on a given topic, assess its accuracy, organize one's thoughts, co-create ideas, and express opinions.
(2) To develop fundamental expertise in life science and technology.
(3) To foster creativity in life science and technology.
(4) Through the above, to enhance students' motivation for further study in the field of life science and technology.
Course description and aims
By the end of this course, students will have developed the following skills and a strong motivation for further study in life science and technology:
(1) Literacy in life science and technology
(2) Fundamental expertise in life science and technology
(3) Creativity in life science and technology
Keywords
Literacy, fundamental expertise, creativity, problem-based learning, exercises and group works
Competencies
- Specialist skills
- Intercultural skills
- Communication skills
- Critical thinking skills
- Practical and/or problem-solving skills
Class flow
This course follows a PBL approach, covering four short topics and four long topics after an orientation and introduction in the first session. Each short topic is completed within a single 100-minute session, while each long topic spans two sessions. To maximize the effectiveness of class time, each session is structured as follows: Introduction of the topic (Instructor) ＞ General background on the topic (Instructor) > Information gathering, analysis, and discussion (Students) > Summary of findings (Students) > Presentation (Students) > Q&A and review (Entire class). The final session (Class 14) will be dedicated to a "Looking-Back" Presentation, where students reflect on their learning.
Examples of Topics Covered
- Stability and instability of biomolecules: Is it beneficial or harmful?
- Chemical structures and properties of biomolecules.
- Designing artificial proteins through evolutionary molecular engineering.
- Creating synthetic living systems.
- The incredible efficiency of living organisms: Energy conservation, survival in extreme environments, and rates of evolution.
- Mechanisms of pharmaceutical action.
- Evidence-based medicine: Is [Topic] good or bad for your health?
- The science of infectious diseases.
Course schedule/Objectives
| Course schedule | Objectives | |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | Orientation and Introduction | Understand the course outline and the methodology of group work. |
| Class 2 | Short topic 1 | Conduct PBL exercises for each of the four short topics, completing all assignments within class time. |
| Class 3 | Short topic 2 | Conduct PBL exercises for each of the four short topics, completing all assignments within class time. |
| Class 4 | Short topic 3 | Conduct PBL exercises for each of the four short topics, completing all assignments within class time. |
| Class 5 | Short topic 4 | Conduct PBL exercises for each of the four short topics, completing all assignments within class time. |
| Class 6 | Long topic 1 (first half) | Conduct PBL exercises for each of the four long topics, completing all assignments within class time. Each long topic is covered over two sessions. |
| Class 7 | Long topic 1 (second half) | Conduct PBL exercises for each of the four long topics, completing all assignments within class time. Each long topic is covered over two sessions. |
| Class 8 | Long topic 2 (first half) | Conduct PBL exercises for each of the four long topics, completing all assignments within class time. Each long topic is covered over two sessions. |
| Class 9 | Long topic 2 (second half) | Conduct PBL exercises for each of the four long topics, completing all assignments within class time. Each long topic is covered over two sessions. |
| Class 10 | Long topic 3 (first half) | Conduct PBL exercises for each of the four long topics, completing all assignments within class time. Each long topic is covered over two sessions. |
| Class 11 | Long topic 3 (second half) | Conduct PBL exercises for each of the four long topics, completing all assignments within class time. Each long topic is covered over two sessions. |
| Class 12 | Long topic 4 (first half) | Conduct PBL exercises for each of the four long topics, completing all assignments within class time. Each long topic is covered over two sessions. |
| Class 13 | Long topic 4 (second half) | Conduct PBL exercises for each of the four long topics, completing all assignments within class time. Each long topic is covered over two sessions. |
| Class 14 | "Looking-back" presentation | Conduct PBL exercises on a topic chosen by each team, prepare, and deliver presentations. |
Study advice (preparation and review)
Guidance on preparation and review for each class will be provided by the instructors.
Textbook(s)
None
Reference books, course materials, etc.
Teaching material will be distributed when necessary.
Evaluation methods and criteria
Students will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
- Attendance in each class
- Participation in discussions and group work
- Quality of assignments and presentations
Related courses
- XLS.B101 ： Introduction to Bio-Frontier Research【School of Life Science and Technology】
- XLS.P101 ： Processes for creation in science and technology【School of Life Science and Technology】
- XLS.B104 ： International Bio-Creative Design【School of Life Science and Technology】
- LST.A230 ： Advanced Bio-Creative Design
Prerequisites
None