Beyond our core expertise in the traditional areas of computer science, we possess interdisciplinary research and educational strengths that allow us to innovate at the strategic intersections of knowledge streams within computer science and between computer science and other sciences, engineering, humanities, social science, business, education, and government. The strategic intersections of interdisciplinary research and education that we have chosen cut across the breadth of computer science, are critical drivers of human progress, and are sufficiently focused to allow for deep impact.

The 21st century has been described as the “century of biology” because of the breathtaking possibilities enabled by the automated gathering and analysis of genetic information. The department’s core group in computational biology and bioinformatics, operating in a highly interdisciplinary mode, brings to bear the power of computing on problems that are keys to basic science, food production, and human health.

The power of supercomputing – long established as a cornerstone of computational science and engineering – has also been identified as a critical resource for economic progress in a globalized economy by the national Council on Competitiveness. The high-end computing systems group creates the algorithms, software structures, and tools that harness the power of computing architectures and high speed networks. Delivering the power of computing in useful forms empowers the potential for problem-solving in science and engineering and empowers innovation in the marketplace.

Computing is pervasive. In a world where “to google” is an accepted verb, computing is enmeshed with entertainment, security, transportation, communication, and other strands in the fabric of everyday life. The core group in human-computer interaction operates at the crucial interface where real people experience computing in its varied and malleable forms – in the real-world or in virtual worlds, whether as individuals or in groups. Connections to the visual and performing arts have also been created through a “cyberarts” program.

The continued deployment of information-based services relies on the sound engineering of software-intensive systems. The department’s software engineering group works on developing the principles, techniques, and tools that underlie an engineering approach to designing, constructing, and maintaining software systems.

The world is awash in data that needs to be curated into useful forms and mined for the discovery of patterns and connections that lead to novel insights. The department’s expertise in digital libraries and data mining focuses on these important issues. These core informatics technologies have been brought to bear on important realms that span education, archeology, genomics, urban traffic flows, and neuroscience.

The mathematical and algorithmic underpinning of computer science is the bedrock on which much of the technology and application of computing rely. The mathematical foundations of computer science group responds to the challenges of real-world problems by developing new algorithms and advanced computational methods. Progress has been enabled in areas such as atmospheric modeling to know how pollutants spread in the environment, social network simulations to understand the spread of infectious diseases through a population, and optimizing designs in numerous engineering fields.

Empowering student learning with computer-based tools both enriches the educational environment of our own students and contributes to a broader community of teachers and students. The department’s expertise in digital education encompasses algorithm animation to picture the dynamics of algorithm execution, tools that support learning about software structures through the lens of software testing, and the development and assessment of tools for science and math education for middle school students.

Our distinctive engagement across the boundaries of knowledge combined with the technical depth of the department brings a rich quality to their educational experience of our students. We will continue to provide them with the necessary theoretical fundamentals of computer science, and the tools with which to embark on successful careers. But we will also serve as role models for integrating computer science across multiple disciplines in innovative ways.