Computers are powerful problem-solving devices, but they are not infinitely powerful. As computational power improves over time, we are faced with computational challenges that are growing in both size and complexity. To face these growing challenges, researchers must determine which challenges have solutions that can be computed efficiently and which tasks cannot be computed efficiently.

Answers to these questions can change over time as new technologies are developed in hardware (e.g., quantum and cloud computing) and software (e.g., programming languages and compilers). Researchers in the department approach these critical needs along several fronts such as algorithms, quantum computing, computer architecture, cloud computing, and parallel and distributed systems.

Participating Faculty