- School of Natural Sciences
All courses offered by the School of Natural Sciences are designed from an interdisciplinary standpoint, ensuring that there is an intentional and continuous flow among disciplines. In particular, the courses are arranged to build on the Innovation Foundations courses that students took in their freshman year. Students then receive Direction in their sophomore year, Focus in their junior year, and engage in Synthesis in their senior year. The entire program has the goal of systematic intellectual growth.
The three tracks that make up the major are organized in this manner, with “theoretical basis,” “research analysis,” and “application” all relating to one another.
The Global Rotation is an important part of the program offered by the School of Natural Sciences. Students take trips to local governments, public institutions, international organizations, private businesses, Nonprofits, colleges, and other institutions, as well as engage in apprenticeships and projects in the different locations – all of which lead them to acquire a grasp of the history, culture, change, and dynamics of different parts of the world. This broad global background leads students to come to appreciate major issues that affect the world, including those that affect human sustainability, such as pandemics and climate change, as well as the distinctive industrial ecosystem of each city.
CURRICULUM
In the Principles of Physics track, students learn the fundamentals of the four branches of physics: classical mechanics, thermodynamics, electromagnetism, and modern physics (including the fundamentals of quantum mechanics). Students from other Schools can also choose this course to learn the fundamentals of physics. This course emphasizes how to apply the material to address the issue of climate change (which imperils humanity’s survival both now and in the future), carbon neutrality (in which everyone is presently participating), and the future of energy (which is the most crucial area linked to this topic).
The Life Sciences track primarily focuses on comprehending biology’s most fundamental principles and ideas. Students address key components of living systems, including metabolism, heredity, and reproduction. Students also review how basic science is being applied to address human problems. Students from other majors and tracks can also take introductory courses in this track.
The Earth and Environmental Science track explores the processes of change from human activity. Students will first consider how the earth’s evolution causes natural changes in the ecosystem, and then investigate viable ways to ensure the sustainability of humankind. To do so, they address the effects of human activities from a scientific viewpoint. Students will also gain a deeper grasp of global environmental changes and the survival of living organisms by learning about the cases of mass extinction, in which more than 50% of living things were wiped out at least five times in the history of the earth.
Natural Sciences FACULTY
MIJUNG LEE, PH.D.
Mijung Lee is dedicated and highly experienced in education with vital communication skills with students. She profoundly agrees that a new system should be introduced for higher education, focused on student’s progress rather than professor’s knowledge. She demonstrates excellent leadership, organisation and planning skills to establish something new from scratch. She possesses the
expertise in working with cross-functional teams and seeking an opportunity to provide the best of her abilities for challenges for the next generation of higher education.
Ph.D. in Physics, University of Cambridge
M.Eng. in Materials Science & Engineering, Seoul National University
B.S. in Materials Science & Engineering, Seoul National University
University of Cambridge
• Visiting Professor, Cavendish laboratory
Kookmin University
• Associate Professor in Materials Science & Engineering