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

László Babai

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

David Cash

Professor, Department of Computer Science

Julia Chuzhoy

Professor, Toyota Technological Institute

Aloni Cohen

Assistant Professor, Department of Computer Science and Data Science

Todd Dupont

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

William Fefferman

Assistant Professor, Department of Computer Science

Risi Kondor

Associate Professor, Departments of Computer Science and Statistics

Stuart Kurtz

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

Yury Makarychev

Associate Professor, Toyota Technological Institute

Ketan Mulmuley

Professor, Department of Computer Science

Lorenzo Orecchia

Assistant Professor, Department of Computer Science

Aaron Potechin

Assistant Professor, Department of Computer Science

Robert Rand

Assistant Professor, Department of Computer Science

Alexander A. Razborov

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

Janos Simon

Professor, Department of Computer Science

Madhur Tulsiani

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

Haifeng Xu

Assistant Professor, Department of Computer Science

News & Events

UChicago CS News

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

Nov 08, 2022
UChicago CS News

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

Sep 09, 2022
UChicago CS News

UChicago Hosts NSF Workshop on Frontiers of Quantum Advantage

Aug 15, 2022
UChicago CS News

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

Aug 11, 2022
In the News

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

Aug 09, 2022
In the News

Bill Fefferman Comments on New Standards for Quantum-Proof Cryptography

Jul 07, 2022
UChicago CS News

UChicago London Colloquium Features Data Science, Quantum Research

Jul 01, 2022
UChicago CS News

Faculty Bill Fefferman and Chenhao Tan Receive Google Research Scholar Awards

Jun 21, 2022
UChicago CS News

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

Apr 28, 2022
In the News

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

Jan 20, 2022
UChicago CS News

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

Jan 10, 2022
UChicago CS News

EPiQC Research Receives Best Paper Award at IEEE Quantum Week

Oct 22, 2021
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