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)

Fred Chong
A multi-disciplinary, multi-institutional NSF Expedition in Computing, led by UChicago, that spans quantum algorithms, software, and physical machines.

Theoretical Computer Science Group

The Theory group plays a fundamental role in connecting CS with physics, statistics, and other mathematical sciences.

Orecchia Group

Lorenzo Orecchia
Designing simple, efficient algorithms for foundational computational challenges arising in a variety of applications.

Related Faculty

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László Babai

Bruce V. and Diana M. Rauner Distinguished Service Professor, Departments of Computer Science and Mathematics
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David Cash

Professor, Department of Computer Science
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Julia Chuzhoy

Professor, Toyota Technological Institute
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Aloni Cohen

Assistant Professor, Department of Computer Science and Data Science
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Todd Dupont

Professor Emeritus, Departments of Computer Science and Mathematics and the James Franck Institute
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William Fefferman

Assistant Professor, Department of Computer Science
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Risi Kondor

Associate Professor, Departments of Computer Science and Statistics
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Stuart Kurtz

George and Elizabeth Yovovich Professor, Department of Computer Science and the College
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Yury Makarychev

Associate Professor, Toyota Technological Institute
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Ketan Mulmuley

Professor, Department of Computer Science
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Lorenzo Orecchia

Assistant Professor, Department of Computer Science
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Aaron Potechin

Assistant Professor, Department of Computer Science
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Robert Rand

Assistant Professor, Department of Computer Science
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Alexander A. Razborov

Andrew MacLeish Distinguished Service Professor, Departments of Computer Science and Mathematics
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Janos Simon

Professor, Department of Computer Science
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Madhur Tulsiani

Assistant Professor, Director of Graduate Studies, Toyota Technological Institute
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Haifeng Xu

Assistant Professor, Department of Computer Science

News & Events

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UChicago CS News

UChicago CS Research Finds New Angle on Database Query Processing with Geometry

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UChicago CS News

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

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UChicago CS News

UChicago Hosts NSF Workshop on Frontiers of Quantum Advantage

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UChicago CS News

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

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In the News

UChicago Co-Leads $10 Million NSF Institute on Foundations of Data Science

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In the News

Bill Fefferman Comments on New Standards for Quantum-Proof Cryptography

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UChicago CS News

UChicago London Colloquium Features Data Science, Quantum Research

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UChicago CS News

Faculty Bill Fefferman and Chenhao Tan Receive Google Research Scholar Awards

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UChicago CS News

First-Year PhD Student Co-Authors Outstanding Paper Award Winner at TQC 2022

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In the News

Quanta Magazine Features Prof. Bill Fefferman’s Work on Quantum Algorithms

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UChicago CS News

In-Fridge Controller Could Scale Up Quantum Computers, Award-Winning UChicago Research Finds

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UChicago CS News

EPiQC Research Receives Best Paper Award at IEEE Quantum Week

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