Department information

 

Specialisation area of algorithms

Studies in the specialisation area of algorithms focus on the theoretical foundations of data processing, in particular algorithmics but also theoretical computer science in general. In addition to pure theory, attention is paid to interaction between theory and practice, and to algorithms design in various application areas (computer graphics, signal processing, machine learning, computational biology and bioinformatics).

Graduating students are typically employed as technical specialists or researchers.

The courses Design of algorithms and Computational complexity are compulsory for students in the specialisation area, and should be taken as early as practical. Studies in mathematics are necessary both for adapting a mathematical way of thinking and learning specific tools and techniques. At least a cum laude approbatur in mathematics is recommended. Other suitable minor subjects include physics and theoretical physics, statistics, general linguistics and cognitive science and various studies at Helsinki University of Technology allowed by the JOO agreement.

Teaching in academic year 2007-08

Most of the teaching is in Finnish; see the Finnish version of this page.

Teaching in English includes the course Approxomation algorithms in Spring 2008.

In general you can contact the instructor of any course and ask about possibilities for taking it in English.

Research

From Data to Knowledge (FDK)

A centre of excellence of the Academy of Finland for the period 2002-2007
leader Prof. Esko Ukkonen

• Data mining (Academy Professor Heikki Mannila, Prof. Hannu Toivonen)
• Computational biology and bioinformatics: ICOMIC
• String algorithms and search methods: C-BRAHMS (Doc. Kjell Lemström, Dr. Veli Mäkinen)

Other research

Algorithms: NAPS: Algorithmics for Proactive Computing (Doc. Patrik Floréen, Prof. Pekka Orponen (HUT))

Machine learning (Prof. Jyrki Kivinen)

Computer graphics (Dr. Otto Nurmi)

also HIIT Basic Research Unit conducts algorithmic research in close co-operation with the department

People

Faculty at the department (Autumn 2007)

Jyrki Kivinen, Ph.D., Professor
Otto Nurmi, Dr.rer.pol., Lecturer
Tomi Pasanen, Ph.D., University Lecturer
Anna Pienimäki, M.Sc., M.A., Assistant (on leave)
Juho Rousu, Ph.D., Professor (acting)
Esko Ukkonen, Ph.D., Professor

On leave of absence

Patrik Floréen, Ph.D., Docent, University Lecturer

Other people at the department

Ilkka Autio, M.Sc.
Juan Carlos Borrás, M.Sc.
Mikko Koivisto, Ph.D.
Juha Kärkkäinen, Ph.D.
Matti Kääriäinen, Ph.D.
Kjell Lemström, Ph.D., Docent
J. T. Lindgren, M.Sc.
Veli Mäkinen, Ph.D., Docent
Kimmo Palin, M.Sc.
Esa Pitkänen, M.Sc.
Ari Rantanen, M.Sc.
Janne Ravantti, Ph.D.
Jouni Siren

Docents

Tapio Elomaa, Professor at Tampere University of Technology
Gösta Grahne, Professor at Concordia University
Seppo Linnainmaa, Research Professor at VTT
Heikki Mannila, Academy Professor, Professor at Helsinki Univesity of Technology
Taneli Mielikäinen, Ph.D.
Matti Nykänen, Professor at University of Kuopio
Pekka Orponen, Professor at Helsinki University of Technology
Eljas Soisalon-Soininen, Professor at Helsinki Univesity of Technology
Jorma Tarhio, Professor at Helsinki Univesity of Technology

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Jyrki Kivinen