Modern society has been dramatically transformed by information technology, which traces its roots back to the major revolution in physics that started in the early 20th century. The emergence of quantum mechanics completely overturned humankind's perceptions of the submicroscopic world, setting the stage for the creation of the transistor, the development of semiconductor technology, and the striding advances now being made in computer technology.
Today's information-driven society runs on two wheels: the driving wheel of computer hardware and the steering wheel of its software. However, the incredible speed at which hardware and software have evolved has made it very difficult to form a unified picture of both sides. The Department of Frontier Informatics addresses this problem by taking an integrated approach to understanding hardware and software, with the aim of creating completely new information technologies through this fusion.
Our main focuses include information networks, human interfaces, large-scale intelligent algorithms, voice/image/multimedia data processing, ULSI semiconductor systems, optical networking, and biological information processing. Through the integration of ultra-fine/ULSI devices with new software technologies, we invent sophisticated, flexible systems for the benefit of humankind. In keeping with the GSFS' principle of transdisciplinary study, we conduct our research with a pioneering spirit that breaks down the walls of academic sectionalism.
Our faculty and students work together as one in a diverse array of projects aimed at paving the way to the future society through innovative information technologies. We invite today's students-tomorrow's leaders-to join us and take up grand challenges with a flexible, creative outlook.
Educational Program Features

Our department is committed to cultivating scientists and engineers who can develop innovative theories and technologies that set the global pace in the rapidly changing world of information technology. Such future leaders must be equipped with a solid understanding of hardware and software, and the competency to investigate the essence of phenomena from unique perspectives derived from that understanding. Now that information technology has become firmly implanted as part of the social infrastructure, there is widespread demand for human resources with not only in-depth knowledge of that technology but also the ability to apply it effectively. We answer this need by providing an integrated, systematic program of hardware and software education that enables students to play a central role in the growth of information technology industries.
Though the university's education and research base for Frontier Sciences is located at the Kashiwa Campus, we maintain close ties with the electronics-related departments at the Hongo Campus, as seen in our offering of remote lectures that allow students to take Hongo courses in classrooms at Kashiwa. As part of our involvement in the 21st Century COE Program, we host a series of special lectures every week during the winter term, inviting experts from all walks of life to serve as speakers, and we provide interested doctoral students opportunities to work as research assistants, visit research labs outside Japan, participate in overseas internships, and pursue other activities that give them a head start in building up experience as scientists, and endow them with the ability to squarely communicate with their peers in other countries.