Yonsei University

The ABSTRC, a joint center of industries-universities-research institutes, performs research in the field of architectural science and technology. The purpose of the center is to develop the following research fields: intelligent buildings, environmental protection, low-energy architecture, high-tech structure-building systems, building construction and construction management, new building materials, underground space development, intelligent city planning, urban design and historical building preservation and renewal.
Prospect & History:
The Korean building industry requires an advanced architectural science and matching technology to enhance the country’s international competitiveness in light of an impending worldwide market system and corresponding intelligent society. The development of an intelligent building system, metropolitan underground development system, and a cost-effective construction management system are necessary. The BSTRC, joined with other research institutions and corporations overseas, develops on-site construction technology and conducts applied projects and joint research and presides over conferences and seminars for interdisciplinary information. close

The Atomic-scale Surface Science Research Center (ASSRC) at Yonsei University is one of the premier SRC's for specific thrust areas of science.
The ASSRC began its life in 1995 with the mission of providing the basic knowledge necessary for the development of future advanced atomic-scale devices, while producing researchers of international excellency, and thereby establishing itself as a major world-class surface science research organization. The ASSRC excels in surface science research, particularly in nanophysics related areas such as nanoscale modification and characterization.
All of our physics department faculties belong to the prestigious Institute of Physics and Applied Physics (IPAP) renowned for the excellence of its research and education program. The IPAP is being funded by the Brain Korea 21 Project to financially support the graduate students (see more in Graduate Program). Our physics department offers 2 tiered undergraduate physics programs to fully accommodate the diverse interests of individual students within a single department. Students with strong interests in the fundamental aspects of physics may take the basic physics course with a goal of advancing to the graduate school towards advanced degrees, and students with more practical aspects of physics in mind may take the engineering oriented applied physics course to accommodate the latest technological research and development. Our graduate physics program offered by the IPAP is also very active in applied physics research and confers advanced degrees similar to the basic physics program. close

The Yonsei Business Research Institute was founded to contribute, through scholarly research and collaborative engagement with industry, to the healthy development of corporate management in Korea. Starting life in 1958 as the Industrial Management Research Center, what is now the Institute became part of the College of Business and Economics in 1993; at the same time it was renamed the Business Research Center, and divided into the Management Research Center and the Economy Research Institute. In 2003, the Center became part of the new Yonsei School of Business and took its current name, the Yonsei Business Research Institute. Though new on the scene, the Institute has, through its many research and outreach activities, already become a key player in management studies both at home and abroad. Inviting top-ranked scholars from around the world, and holding symposia and seminars on a wide range of management issues, the Institute offers researchers valuable opportunities to collaborate with their peers. Through this work, the Institute is in a position to contribute meaningfully to the growth and health of Korea’s corporate sector. Working closely with government agencies, public organizations, corporations themselves, and the academic world, and drawing from its affiliation with one of the country’s premier institutions of higher education, the Institute makes singular contributions to the study of business administration, and, thereby, to Korea’s economic well-being. Far from content, however, to rest on our laurels, we are set in the coming years to surpass our already considerable achievement. close

The Global Environment Laboratory (GEL), which is attached to the College of Science of Yonsei University, was established on March 1, 1993, to take the lead in proposition, research and resolution of the problems related to the global environment:
1) Systematic research and resolution of global environmental problems
· Monitoring and prediction of global environment changes inside and outside of the country
2) Offering data in response to international affairs on environmental problems
· Global warming
· Destruction of the ozone layer
· Acid rain
3) Activation of interdisciplinary research based on basic sciences
· Establishment of climate dynamics
· Origination of acid rain dynamics
4) Research servicesG7 project, etc.
5) Scientific activitiessupervision of seminars and symposiums, publication of GEL research reports, etc.
6) Research cooperationexchange of research scientists inside and side of the country, etc. close

The Human Ecology Research Institute(HERI) in the College of Human Ecology at Yonsei University was established to build scientific knowledge related to human life in 1967. The primary goals of the Institute are to improve life quality as performing interdisciplinary research through industrial-educational-institutional cooperation and to advance unique heritage of Korean culture. The research areas of HERI are mainly the living environment, the family living system, and the design. And the researches focus on the clothing and textiles, food science and human nutrition, housing and interior design, child and family studies, and human environment and design. The institute also conducts community services in these fields and holds symposiums, seminars, and workshops for sharing diverse information dynamically and internationally. (E-mail: humaneco@yonsei.ac.kr) close

The Information and Telecommunications Research Institute was established in 1992 to cope with the demand for high quality technology and manpower within the area of communication systems engineering. The primary objective of this institute is to fulfill such demand by conducting research in related areas of core, fundamental aspects and by doing so producing long-term professionals adept in the field.
The Institute carries out the following activities:
1) Fundamental research
2) Training of high quality manpower
3) Research of fundamental science engineering
4) Coordinated research with related research groups
5) Research in technologies related to the field of information and communications close

Established in February 1990, the Institute facilitates basic and clinical research in oncology in order to develop new methods for diagnosis and treatment and to promote prophylaxis of cancer such as chemoprevention.
The Institute is located on the 7th floor of the Cancer Center building of the Yonsei Medical Complex and occupies about 400m2 of surface area, which mainly includes four laboratories and one P3 safety unit.
The institute has 7 divisions: Division of Cell Biology, Division of Immunology, Division of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Division of Pathology, Division of Epidemiology; Division of Clinical Oncology, and Division of Administration.
Ongoing projects includes study of oncogenes, tumor suppressor genes, tumor invasion and metastasis, tumor angiogenesis, immunotherapy, genetherapy, carcinogenesis, tumor registry; and phase I, II, III clinical trials. A collection of animal and human cell lines established by the institute or by other laboratories is being kept frozen in liquid nitrogen reservoirs, so as to be available for research purposes, as needed.
An international symposium is held yearly under the specific subtitle to booster the young scientists in the cancer field. On 2000, our institute was designated as since Research center; cancer Meftasis Research center from Korean Ministry of science and Technology/ Korea science Foundation. And the Korean Ministry of Industry and Resource are funding our Institute for "Cancer and Therapy Program" from 1999. close

History
The Institute for Immunology and Immunological Diseases was established on October 27, 1995 at Yonsei University College of Medicine.
Objectives
Immunology is one of the rapidly progressing fields in medicine. The Institute was established to carry out basic and clinically applicable research in an attempt to contribute the progress of immunology. And based on the research results, we try to reveal the mechanism and treatment of immunological diseases. Furthermore, our institute aims to educate research personnels to execute and lead research on immunology. Our interesting projects are as following: (1) regulation of apoptosis, (2) the structure and function of natural killer cell receptor, (3) regulatory gene of human histocompatibility leukocyte antigen (HLA) and HLA genotyping, (4) the diversity of T and B cell receptors in immunological diseases, (5) the pathogenesis of allergy, (6) neuroimmunology, (7) tumor suppressor gene, and (9) pathogenesis of mycobacterial infections.
Organization
The Institute currently comprises ten faculty members and 24 researchers and consists of five major divisions; basic immunology, infection and immunity, tumor immunology, biological response modifiers, and autoimmunity. close

The Institute for Mathematical Sciences was established to promote research through interdisciplinary cooperation in the fields of mathematical analysis and theoretical physics and, further, to form a research group at Yonsei University of internationally high reputation through academic exchange with overseas research institutes.
The Institute holds several positions for Post Doctoral Fellows, provides financial support to some promising doctoral students, is equipped with various kinds of books and international journals, and publishes a reprint series.
The main research areas include mathematical physics, function space integrals, partial differential equations, functional analysis and topology, quantum field theory, multi-dimensional field theory and many-body theory. close

Established in 1981, the Institute studies various problems related to the prevention and management of occupational diseases and injuries. It also aims at the promotion of the health of workers and the improvement of their working environment.
The Institute carries out the following activities:
1) Measurement of working environments and study of ways to improve them
2) Conducts medical examinations and studies occupational diseases and injuries
3) Study of industrial psychology, ergonomics, and work physiology
4) Socio-economic study of labor problems
5) Education of employees and employers towards healthier and safer modes of working
Minor Research Projects1999
1) Cost-effectiveness analysis of occupational health services
2) Development of worker education materials
3) A study of effectiveness of questionnaire using special health examination and development-integrated questionnaire
4) Primary health care and health delivery system in group health care system
5) Air concentration and particle size distribution of wood dust during woodworking process
6) A study on the pretreatment for the analysis of benzidine metabolites in urine close

History
The Institute of Basic Medical Science, Yonsei University, Wonju College of Medicine was established on March 1, 1994 at Yonsei University.
Objectives
1) Interactions and cooperations between basic medical science and clinical medicine
2) Establishment of co-work system among three organizations (industry- university-institute)
3) Training of excellent researchers involved in medicine
4) Improvement of levels in regional medicine famous institutes
Projects and Activities
1) Practical participation in new drug development (G7 project) through coworker system
2) Invitation of scholars from abroad and keeping close contact with foreign famous institutes
3) Publication of institute journal
4) Administration in international medical symposium
5) Enforcement of clinical application to technology developed through basic research close

The Institute of Basic Science was established at the Wonju campus, the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences in 1991. The Institute is organize into five main research groups which includes Mathematics Lab, Physics Lab, Materials and Chemistry Lab, Life Sciences Lab, and Computer Science Lab. In accordance with the need to promote the academic research works and industrialization in the Kangwondo area, the Institute hopes to contribute to the development of both pure scientific areas ar applied sciences. On the basis of academic-industrial cooperation, the Institute gives every effort to promote academic research and to develop scientific technology. The Journal of the Institute of Basic Science (JIBS), which published annually, contains recent experimental results of original studies of the research members. close

The problems of religious beliefs in Korea are studied against their historical, social and cultural backgrounds. The influx of Shamanism from Southern Tungus, Confucianism and Taoism from China, Buddhism from India, and Christianity from the West have produced complicated religious phenomena needing research and analysis.
The Institute is searching for forms of effective social action adequate for the changing situation in Korea. Increasing social stress has brought in a sectarian movement with undesirable side effects. In addition, the responsibility of the Church for social justice and welfare needs to be pursued. The Institute was established in 1965. close

The Institute was founded on March 1, 1992, as one of the research institutes in the College of Dentistry. This Institute primarily focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of the craniofacial malformations and deformities caused by genetic/congenital or developmental reasons, leading to dysfunctions of the orofacial structure. Various three-dimensional technologies and animal experiments are readily recruited in order to seek for the main etiologies, pathophygiologies of specific deformities as well as the improved treatment modalities. The outcomes of the basic and clinical research are eventually to be applied to the clinical situation to benefit the diseased individuals.
The major activities of this institute are described as follows:
1) Research on the growth and development and various deformities of the craniofacial region
2) Education of the learned principles and theories in these fields
3) Domestic and/or international exchange of the current information and personnel for furtherdevelopment and advancement of the knowledges close

The Institute of Health Services Research was first started as the Center for Population and Family Planning under the leadership of Dr. Yang Jae Mo, to carry out a population research and family planning in collaboration with the Population Council, the Department of Preventive Medicine, at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine, Yonsei University in 1962. In 1968, an additional interdisciplinary program was established in the center with the participation of the College of Medicine, the College of Business and Economics, the College of Political Science and Law, and the College of Nursing.
Since 1981, the Center has conducted many programs such as teaching, offering scholarships, and research in the field of population and family, thereby contributing to improvement of national family planning program in Korea. As the major issues in the health field has changed from family planning to health services, the center was renamed as the Institute of Population and Health Services Research (IPHSR) in March 1982, and then as the Institute of Health Services Research (IHSR) in April 1992.
The Institute was designated as a WHO collaborating center for Health Systems Research in 1989. Various research programs and projects on health services have been implemented. close

Founded as a voice laboratory in 1977 and established as an institute in 1991, the purpose of the Institute is to contribute not only to progressive development of logopedics and phoniatrics but also to the improvement of mutual correspondence between international research centers, institutes and research workers. Thus, the Institute has research goals such as medical studies about the voice and the Korean language, voice care of professional voice users, publication of research journals and periodicals, exchanges of information between domestic and foreign researchers and institutes, and surveillance studies of requested projects. The Institute publishes its bulletin annually and holds an international level seminar or workshop biannually. close

The overall objective of the Molecular Science Research Institute is to develop, an understanding of the molecular structure and the biological function of proteins that govern life phenomena. Efforts are concentrated on basic investigation as well as applied research including gene manipulation and protein engineering. A central aim of the Institute is to investigate biochemical aspects of proteins and their cellular roles in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms. Industrial and medical application of novel proteins is also one of the major interests.
The Molecular Science Research Institute comprises 10 faculty members and 70 research assistants. Laboratories are suitably equipped with research facilities for biochemistry, molecular biology and cell biology. close

The Nursing Research Institute of the College of Nursing was started in 1974 as the first research center in nursing in Korea. It became the Nursing Policy Research Institute in 1992 and focused its research activities on nursing policies related to improving the general health care delivery system and nursing profession. Since the College of Nursing was designated as the World Health Organization Collaborating Center for Research and Training for Nursing Development in Primary Health Care in 1988, the Institute also functions as the WHO Collaborating Center. Since March 1999, the Nursing Research Institute for Safety and Accident Prevention has merged with the Institute.
The objectives of the Institute are (1) development of health care policies to expand nursing roles in national health care system (2) collaboration with WHO in training and research in primary health care, and (3) promotion of research on accident prevention and public education on safety. close

Radio Communication Research Center (RCRC) was established in March 1993 to create a support system for the field of radio communications by achieving technical development and training qualified researchers. The center has designed an institute with a consortium includes foreign and domestic companies, and other global research institutes and universities. The center consists of four standing committees and five research areas related to radio communications: microwave devices, wave propagations and EMI/EMC, mobile communications, satellite communications, and radiowave signal processing. Major activities include: joint research with industries, research institutes, university internships and post-doc. programs for undergraduate and graduate students, educational programs for field engineers, international symposia and workshops, certification of EMIIEMC. close

The Research Institute for Human Behavior was established on April, 10, 1992, with the primary objective of improving the welfare of human beings and understanding human beings based on psychology. The Institute performs the following functions: (1) the Institute accelerates research activities in order to scientifically understand the processes of human behavior and the human mind, (2) it contributes to the development and welfare of our society by activating cooperation with other social organizations which require the application of psychology, and (3) it provides the opportunities for research experiences for the graduate students in the Psychology Department. close

The Urban and Transportation Science Research Center was founded on March 1, 1995, with the major objectives of research, information exchange, and human and policy development in the fields of urban planning and transportation planning. Urban planning covers national and regional planning, design, housing and land development, and sustainable urban development. Urban information analysis deals with geostatistical analysis, u-city development, and urban information analysis.
Transportation planning includes transportation planning methodology, system management, traffic engineering, and industry. Participants are: professors from the departments of urban planning and engineering, civil engineering, architectural engineering, housing and interior design, and economics, researchers from various planning institutes and practitioners from engineering and design consulting firms. close