Department of Computer Science

Research in Computer Science

The Department of Computer Science contributes broadly to modern computer science. All our 14 research areas emphasize interdisciplinarity, and they collaborate with each other, as well as with a wider research and business community outside of Aalto.

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Algorithms and Theoretical Computer Science

The fundamental methods and mathematics of computation: the design of efficient algorithms, models and frameworks for computing, and the resource requirements of computational tasks.

People

Chris Brzuska, Parinya Chalermsook, Corinna Coupette, Tommi Junttila, Petteri Kaski, Barbara Keller, Sándor Kisfaludi-Bak, Russell W.F.Lai, Pekka Orponen, Alexandru Paler, Jussi Rintanen, Jukka Suomela, Jara Uitto.

Theoretical Computer Science

Our faculty works on various areas of theoretical computer science and its applications to algorithms engineering and other sciences such as DNA computation.

Blackboard filled with figures and equations

Distributed Algorithms (external link)

Our current research focuses on the foundations of distributed computing, the key research question is related to the concept of locality in the context large computer networks.

Distributed Algorithms Research group

Natural Computation (external link)

The group seeks to understand, model, and program naturally occurring or nature-inspired self-organising processes.

Natural Computation Research group

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

Research contributes both to the fundamentals of AI across its many subfields, as well as to the accelerating practical impact AI has on businesses and societies.

The Department of Computer Science is a key player in the Finnish Center for Artificial Intelligence FCAI, a major ecosystem of academic, private and public sector partners.

People

Corinna Coupette, Stephane Deny, Vikas Garg, Eero Hyvönen, Wilhelmiina Hämäläinen, Alex Jung, Juho Kannala, Petteri Kaski, Samuel Kaski, Jorma Laaksonen, Jaakko Lehtinen, Janne Lindqvist, Riku Linna, Harri Lähdesmäki, Pekka Marttinen, Jussi Rintanen, Juho Rousu, Arno Solin, Jukka Suomela, Linh Truong, Aki Vehtari, and Bo Zhao.

Research groups

Artificial Intelligence and Software Systems (AISS)

Computing technologies for designing, building and managing intelligent systems.

Computer components, photo: Matti Ahlgren/Aalto Univesity

Machine Learning for Big Data

Machine learning models and methods for big data over networks

Department of Computer Science research, infrared lights hanging on the roof for machine learning in plant growing project

Probabilistic Machine Learning Group (external link)

We develop new methods for probabilistic modeling, Bayesian inference and machine learning. Our current focuses are in particular learning from multiple data sources, Bayesian model assessment and selection, approximate inference and information visualization.

PML research group, Aalto University Computer Science

Semantic Computing (SeCo) (external link)

Research on semantic technologies, such as the Semantic Web and intelligent web services.

Map screenshot from mappingmanuscriptmigrations.org web service by Semantic Computing Research group at Aalto University

Complex Systems

Research area studies diverse systems from social networks to the human brain and from cities to the human immune system, applying the tools of network science, stochastic processes, and nonlinear dynamics.

People

Corinna Coupette, Petter Holme, Barbara Keller, Mikko Kivelä, Maarit Korpi-Lagg, Riku Linna, Jari Saramäki.

Research groups

Complex Systems

Complex systems are found at all scales in nature, from the complex machinery operating inside our cells to the human brain, from human sociality to the networked social organization.

Complex Systems, Aalto University

Digital Health and Wellbeing

Our mission to leverage data-driven methods for meaningful healthcare advancements and a deeper understanding of the social fabric that influences our wellbeing.

digital-health

Computational Life Sciences

The research area covers the multi-disciplinary activities on computational modelling, data analysis and design of biological systems. The field focuses on the development of original computational methods and their application in collaboration with leading national and international experts in different branches of life sciences.

People

Stephane Deny, Wilhelmiina Hämäläinen, Samuel Kaski, Barbara Keller, Harri Lähdesmäki, Pekka Marttinen, Pekka Orponen, Juho Rousu, Jari Saramäki, Aki Vehtari.

Research groups

Computational Systems Biology (external link)

Our research group focuses on developing methods for high-throughput bioinformatics, computational biomedicine, synthetic biology and probabilistic modeling.

Computational Systems Biology Research group

Kernel Methods, Pattern Analysis and Computational Metabolomics (KEPACO) (external link)

The KEPACO group develops machine learning methods, models and tools for data science. Applications of interest include metabolomics, biomedicine, pharmacology and synthetic biology.

KEPACO group 2021

Computing education research and educational technology

Computing education research (CER) contributes scientific knowledge about the learning and teaching of computer programming and other areas of computing education; develops software tools, pedagogies, and theoretical models to help computing students and teachers; and evaluates such tools, pedagogies, and models empirically.

People

Lassi Haaranen, Arto Hellas, Wilhelmiina Hämäläinen, Ari Korhonen, Juho Leinonen, Lauri Malmi, Kerttu Pollari-Malmi, Nitin Sawhney, Otto Seppälä, Juha Sorva.

Research groups

LeTech - Learning + Technology (external link)


The Learning + Technology Group focuses on computing education, educational technology and software visualization. We adopt a research perspective on learning and teaching that allows us to improve education through better educational technologies and teaching methods

CS Building Aalto University

Computing Systems

Computing Systems conducts interdisciplinary research into the infrastructure and systems that support such novel technology paradigms. The research ranges from theoretical, such as distributed systems, distributed system architectures and distributed algorithms to applied such as IoT, Web Services, Analytics, Ubiquitous Computing, Systems for Machine Learning and Distributed Multimedia systems.

People

Mario Di Francesco, Vesa Hirvisalo, Linh Truong, Petri Vuorimaa, Antti Ylä-Jääski, Bo Zhao.

Research groups

Distributed and Mobile Computing

Experiment-driven systems research analyzing, building, and optimizing distributed mobile computing systems and services.

HIgh quality interactive video streaming over 5G, Distributed and Mobile Computing research group at Department of Computer Science Aalto University

Digital Ethics, Society and Policy

Digital Ethics, Society and Policy (Digital-ESP) brings together diverse researchers, scholars and practitioners engaging at the intersection of technology, social science and policy concerns in a societal context. From a Computer Science perspective this is a crucial area for critically interrogating the ethics and values embedded in technology, the interplay with society, and the role of policy-making to better understand and mediate positive or adverse impacts.

People

Corinna Coupette, Marjo Kauppinen, Juhi Kulshrestha, Casper Lassenius, Vili Lehdonvirta, Marko Nieminen, Risto Sarvas, Nitin Sawhney, Marko Turpeinen, Johanna Viitanen, Johanna Ylipulli.

Research groups

Engineering Psychology

Research area brings together behavioral scientists, engineers, and computer scientists to explore real world problems. The research area tackles questions how human behavior and perception shapes the use and impact of computing systems, services and engineering, and vice versa.

People

Talayeh Aledavood, Verena Distler, Mikko Kivelä, Sari Kujala, Janne Lindqvist, Robin Welsch.

Research groups

Engineering Psychology

Understanding humans and technology

Artistic illustration for engineering psychology bachelors programme in Aalto University. Human face, laptop, game controller and phone. Illustration by Matti Ahlgren

Human-Computer Interaction and Design

Research area examining the intersection of computing, interaction technologies and human-centred design research. HCID engages transdisciplinary approaches to conducting critical research, design, development and evaluation of current and novel technologies, behaviors, processes, models, practices and experiences among human, artificial and non-human entities, while examining the impacts on people, society and ecology. It draws from emerging research, scholarship and practice across disciplines including computer science (computation, software engineering, machine learning, AI, interaction design), cognitive science, psychology, sociology, anthropology, media, arts, design, learning/education, ethics, and public policy, among others.

People

Verena Distler, Fabian Fagerholm, Perttu Hämäläinen, Sari Kujala, Juhi Kulshtestha, Jorma Laaksonen, Janne Lindqvist, Lauri Malmi, Marko Nieminen, Mika P.Nieminen, Nitin Sawhney, Johanna Viitanen, Robin Welsch, Johanna Ylipulli

Affiliated

Andres Lucero, Antti Oulasvirta, Esko Penttinen, Virpi Roto, Giulio Jacucci.

Research groups

Usable and accessible eHealth services for everyone

We are a research group focusing on usability and accessibility of eHealth services.

Human computer interaction illustration Matti Ahlgren Aalto University

Large-scale Computing and Data Analysis

The area focuses on novel methods, techniques, algorithms, and tools both for computing with large-scale distributed/parallel systems, and for big data analysis and management. Another focus is on identifying, optimizing, engineering, and verifying computationally challenging parts of software systems, dealing with huge amounts of data and computing resources, used in various application domains.

People

Maarit Korpi-Lagg, Bo Zhao

Research groups

Astroinformatics

The group develops and utilises high-performance computing tools for simulating and analysing data from complex (astro)physical systems, such as turbulent fluids, the Sun, interstellar matter in galaxies.

Model of the Sun from PRACE project INTERDYNS

Quantum Software and Algorithms

Quantum computing deploys the phenomena of quantum mechanics to solve complex problems that even the most powerful supercomputers cannot execute. This interdisciplinary research area is focused to achieve large-scale quantum computing from the software perspective. The main goal is to support the execution of quantum algorithms with a practical advantage.

People


Vikas Garg, Petteri Kaski, Alexandru Paler

InstituteQ - The Finnish Quantum Institute (external link)

InstituteQ coordinates quantum research, education, and business in Finland

White InstituteQ logo on dark background

Security and Privacy

The goal of this research area are 1) to create new technologies, designs, analysis methods for the development of secure and private computing and communication systems, and 2) advance the fundamental scientific knowledge in security engineering, including human factors.

These new technologies aim either to deter, prevent or detect malicious attacks and they should be, at the same time, secure, privacy-preserving, easy to use, and inexpensive to deploy. As is typical for security research, our results also include the discovery of novel attacks and previously unknown classes of vulnerabilities in existing systems.

People

Tuomas Aura, Chris Brzuska, Verena Distler, Philip Ginzboorg, Lachlan Gunn, Russell W.F.Lai, Janne Lindqvist, Sanna Suoranta

Research groups

Cryptography Group (external link)

research.cs.aalto.fi/crypto

Drawing including cartoon animals on the playfield

Secure Systems Research Group (external link)

The goal of the Secure Systems research group is to create new technologies and design and analysis methods for the development of secure computing and communication systems.

CS Building Aalto University

Software and Service Engineering

We study means for designing, developing, and operating software systems and digital services. Our work covers strategic, managerial, and governance issues in organizations, considering society and the lives of people using digital solutions.

We conduct research on complex software-related challenges in industry, public organizations, NGOs, user communities, and society at large, collaborating closely with diverse stakeholders.

Our work is transdisciplinary, drawing from computer science, engineering, design, business, law, and psychology.

People

Fabian Fagerholm, Marjo Kauppinen, Sari Kujala, Casper Lassenius, Marko Nieminen, Mika P.Nieminen, Jari-Pekka Vanhanen, Johanna Viitanen

Research groups

PREAGO Research Group

The Product Requirements and Architecture Research Group (Preago) is specialized in high quality research of topics related to requirements engineering, software architectures and variability.

Usable and accessible eHealth services for everyone

We are a research group focusing on usability and accessibility of eHealth services.

Human computer interaction illustration Matti Ahlgren Aalto University

Visual Computing

Visual computing studies the creation and understanding of images, shapes, and three-dimensional spaces by computational means. As we seek to increase our understanding of not just how to create and analyze images and sounds, but also how we humans perceive, react to, and interact with them, research in visual computing is of an increasingly interdisciplinary nature.

People


Perttu Hämäläinen, Juho Kannala, Jorma Laaksonen, Jaakko Lehtinen, Janne Lindqvist, Lauri Savioja, Arno Solin

Research groups

Game Research (external link)

Games are a multidisciplinary field, and our research interests include physics simulation, procedural animation, control optimization, AI, full-body human-computer interaction, virtual and augmented realities, games and learning.

Game Research, Aalto University

Department of Computer Science is part of School of Science in Aalto University.

Computer Science building front entrance, Aalto University, photo Matti Ahlgren / Tietotekniikan talon sisäänkäynti, Aalto-yliopisto

Department of Computer Science

We are an internationally-oriented community and home to world-class research in modern computer science.

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School of Science

Science for tomorrow’s technology, innovations and businesses

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