The mathematical perspective offered by theory plays a fundamental role in connecting computer science with the other pure sciences. Since the founding of UChicago CS in 1983, theory has been a core strength of the department, in alignment with the scientific vision and strengths of the broader university. CS theory faculty specialize in complexity, logic, uncertainty, combinatorics, randomness and other areas that bridge CS with physics, statistics, and other mathematical sciences.
At UChicago CS, researchers develop theory to understand more abstract, fundamental questions, such as teasing out the inherent limits of computation and their connection with the physical nature of our universe. They also develop theory and build algorithms for applications such as quantum computing, machine learning, and cryptography, working in tandem with other research areas in charting the pathway for tomorrow’s technologies. A robust relationship with the Toyota Technological Institute at Chicago (TTIC), a privately-endowed academic institute located on the UChicago campus, expands and enriches the theory community.
Labs & Groups
EPiQC (Enabling Practical-Scale Quantum Computing)
Theoretical Computer Science Group
Orecchia Group
Related Faculty

László Babai

Todd Dupont

Stuart Kurtz
News & Events

UChicago Undergrad Team Places Second Overall In Regionals For World’s Largest Programming Competition

New CS and DSI Faculty Haifeng Xu Brings Strategic Intelligence to NeurIPS 2022

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Asst. Prof. Aloni Cohen Receives Award For Revealing Flaws in Deidentifying Data

New 2022-23 Faculty Add Expertise in Linguistics, Visualization, Economics, and Data Science Education

Faculty Bill Fefferman and Chenhao Tan Receive Google Research Scholar Awards
