Research education in Computer Science at Linköping University covers a broad set of topics, reflecting the status of this research field. The topics range from fundamental studies of algorithms, computational processes and knowledge representation to the practical application of computer systems and recent developments in areas like Machine learning and Autonomous systems. In all topics, international level research is conducted by groups belonging to the Department of Computers and Information Science (IDA).
List of research topics at IDA:
- Algorithms and complexity
- Artificial intelligence and robotics - Machine learning, Robotics, Knowledge representation and reasoning, Automated planning, Intelligent and autonomous systems.
- Embedded systems - Modelling and formal verification, Real-time systems Hardware/Software codesign, Fault-tolerant systems, Cyber-physical systems.
- Software engineering - Programming languages and environments, Compiler technology, Software process, Requirements engineering, Software testing.
- Natural language processing/Computational linguistics
- Databases and Web information systems - Semantic Web, Ontology engineering, Data integration, Graph databases, Probabilistic graphical models.
- Cybersecurity - Software security, Network security, Communications security, E-service security, Critical infrastructures.
- Distributed systems and networks
- Wireless and ad hoc networks
- Parallel computing
- Computer science education
- Human-centered systems - Computer supported cooperative work, Multimodal interaction, Ubiquitous computing, Public information systems and electronic markets.
Research environment at IDA
The department is involved in three major national research initiatives:
1. ELLIIT, a strategic research environment funded by the Swedish government in 2010, as part of its initiative to support research in information technology and mobile communications.
2. The Wallenberg AI, Autonomous Systems and Software Program (WASP), Sweden’s largest ever individual research program.
3. Security Link, one of two strategic research centres in the area of Security and Crisis Management granted by the Swedish government.
All three programs involve several universities and major Swedish companies and institutions. They strongly contribute to our graduate studies environment with PhD courses, workshops, common projects that bring together students from the participating universities, and regular interaction with the participating industrial partners.
Research education in Computer Science is performed as an intrinsic part of a highly competitive international level research environment at the Department of Computer and Information Science. All PhD supervisors are well established and internationally recognized researchers, strongly involved in their communities and related networks. This environment offers an excellent context in which all PhD students are exposed to contacts with the international and national research community as well as with industry. These contacts are materialized in visits to partner universities, project meetings at national and international levels, and participation in workshops and conferences.
More than half of our PhD students come from abroad, which provides a very fertile and exciting multicultural environment. All aspects of PhD education are conducted in English.
Short history of doctoral studies in Computer Science at LiU
Research and research education in Computer Science at Linköping University started formally in 1975, when the first professor chair in Computer Science in Sweden was established at Linköping, Professor Erik Sandewall. The first PhD thesis in Computer science was defended in 1977. The department of Computer and Information Science (IDA) was established in 1983 and since then it has been the home of research education in the computer science area at Linköping University. Since 2001 the department hosts CUGS, the Computer science graduate school, which was initially commissioned by the Swedish government.
Study syllabus
- General study syllabus for Computer Science (pdf) - from July 2023
- General study syllabus for Computer Science (pdf) - February 2016 to June 2023
