PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES KYUSHU UNIVERSITY

The School of Pharmaceutical Sciences

The School of Pharmaceutical Sciences was established in April 1950 as the Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences within the Faculty of Medicine. However, the Faculty’s roots trace back to 1867, when the Kuroda Domain founded Sanseikan, an educational institution for Western medicine. Based on this foundation, the Meiji government established the Kyoto Imperial University Fukuoka Medical College in April 1903. In January 1911, Kyushu Imperial University was founded, and the Fukuoka Medical College was reorganized as the Kyushu Imperial University Medical College. Later that year, it was renamed the Faculty of Medicine of Kyushu Imperial University. After World War II, in October 1947, it became the Faculty of Medicine of Kyushu University.

The department of Pharmaceutical Sciences was established within this faculty in April 1950 and later became independent with the addition of the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences. Until then, pharmaceutical students studied alongside medical students in the same classrooms. Even today, the School of Pharmaceutical Sciences remains closely connected to the Faculty of Medicine in both education and research. Given this history, the origins of the School of Pharmaceutical Sciences can be traced back to 1867.

The Department of Medicinal Sciences

1. Vision of Education

   The Department of Medicinal Sciences offers fundamental studies such as chemical pharmaceutical science, physical pharmaceutical science, biological pharmaceutical science, environmental pharmaceutical science, and medical pharmaceutical science. Students will take those subjects associating with one another, and master advanced knowledge and techniques about them. While students take an interdisciplinary approach, they are also required to master their specialty. It is not sufficient for researchers to simply acquire knowledge; they must also develop the abilities to actively find and solve problems. Therefore, the Department of Medicinal Sciences offers various educational programs to gain such abilities. The curriculum for the undergraduate program prepares students with the fundamental knowledge necessary to become pharmaceutical researchers and leaders. However, completing the undergraduate program is not enough to gain problem finding and solving skills. We have a curriculum designed for those who wish to continue to study in the Master's program. We strongly encourage students to enhance and develop the abilities through advanced education and research in the Master's or Doctoral programs.

2. Educational Program

   As mentioned above, a characteristic of our educational program is to learn basic subjects such as chemistry, biology, and other subjects in the context of human bodies, diseases, and medicines. During this program, students will undertake a foundational education for three years, and will work on a thesis to gain applied skills during the fourth year. When students begin their graduation thesis, they will be assigned to a laboratory to help improve problem-solving skills and experience cutting-edge research under experienced faculty members. In the first three years of the foundational education, students are required to take lectures in chemical, physical, biological, environmental, and medical sciences that are related to medicinal sciences to master basic skills to deal with diverse and advanced medicinal sciences and biological sciences. Additionally, we offer a course to train students to become pharmaceutical organic chemists or pharmaceutical biological scientists. Consequently, we have a variety of curriculums designed to cultivate human resources with distinctive characteristics.

   The Department of Medicinal Sciences addresses the following:

   1. Focusing on a wide range of education including the humanities as well as natural sciences.
   2. Providing opportunities to experience basic expert education and on-site training during the early years of the program to clarify their purpose of learning and increase their motivation, alongside gaining fundamental academic abilities as well.
   3. Conducting education on learning different cultures and languages, as well as offering the opportunity to present research findings in English in order to acquire the skill necessary to be active internationally.

   The Department of Medicinal Sciences provides mainly lectures, practical training and seminars during the first three years. The faculty members of the Department of Medicinal Sciences and Clinical Pharmacy will be responsible for expert pharmaceutical education, aside from other subjects such as social sciences or language cultures, and so on. The graduation thesis (Special Practical Training) during the fourth year will be tutorial supported by the faculty members of both departments.

3. Ideal Students (Required Skills and Qualifications)

   Since the Department of Medicinal Sciences aim to cultivate researchers who play an active role as pharmaceutical professionals, we seek students who are sophisticated and filled with a sense of responsibility to help develop new medicines. It goes without saying that students must possess sufficient basic academic abilities. In particular, we welcome students who hold a strong interest in such sciences as chemistry, biology, and physics. Students are also required to have a basic level of English skills that is good enough to participate actively in this field internationally.

The Department of Clinical Pharmacy

1. Vision of Education

   The environment surrounding pharmacists has evolved rapidly due to the advancement and diversification of medical care, an aging society, and the separation of prescribing and dispensing practices. Today’s pharmacists are expected to take on diverse roles, including providing optimal medical treatment, supporting medication adherence, ensuring safety, and more.
   Educational institutions are tasked with cultivating highly competent pharmacists who possess both practical skills and strong ethical values. The Department of Clinical Pharmacy at Kyushu University embraces this responsibility. It aims to develop future leaders in clinical pharmacy—healthcare professionals with broad perspectives and deep human insight—capable of advancing medical practice through both education and practical contribution.

2. Educational Program

   The department provides a six-year program, divided into two phases: a foundational phase (first three years) and a professional phase (final three years). In the first phase, students focus on the basic pharmaceutical sciences, including chemical, physical, and biological pharmaceutical sciences. In the second phase, students undertake courses in medical and clinical pharmacy to prepare for professional practice.
   
   In the fourth year, students take the Pharmaceutical Common Achievement Test to confirm their readiness for practical training. Those who pass undergo long-term practical training in the fifth and sixth years, which includes five months of clinical experience at hospitals and pharmacies. This is preceded by two months of preparatory lectures and exercises.

   The Department of Clinical Pharmacy addresses the following:

   1. Focusing on a wide range of education including the humanities as well as natural sciences.
   2. Providing opportunities to experience basic expert education and on-site training during the early years of the program to clarify their purpose of learning and increase their motivation, alongside gaining fundamental academic abilities as well.
   3. Nurturing human and moral sensibilities as healthcare professionals through practical experience.
   4. Providing expert education to develop strong practical abilities.
   5. Providing an education conducive to the development of educators or researchers in clinical pharmacy.

   Educational Training System

   The faculty members from both the Department of Clinical Pharmacy and the Department of Medicinal Sciences collaborate to deliver specialized education in chemical, physical, and biological pharmaceutical sciences, as well as advanced clinical pharmacy. Practical training is supervised by faculty members and pharmacists working at the forefront of medical practice.

   National Examination for Pharmacists

   Graduates of the Department of Clinical Pharmacy are eligible to take the national examination for pharmacists.

3. Ideal Students (Required Skills and Qualifications)

   Since the Department of Clinical Pharmacy aims to cultivate personnel to take leading roles among pharmacists as medical professionals, we seek students who possess all-round academic ability, of course, but also hold a strong interest in science, and are capable to grow a sense of responsibility as an active member of society and moral sensitivities as a member of medical care.