Welcome to the Department of Computer Science

Dedicated to undertaking basic research, the Department of Computer Science (D-INFK) develops reliable, efficient and secure computer and IT solutions for use in society, industry and science.

While its main focus is on training computer scientists at the highest level, the department also provides computer science foundations to students of other disciplines, offers continuing education programmes and contributes to the high quality of general computer science education in local schools. It thus makes an important contribution to the excellence of education in society as a whole.

More than 45 professors from all over the world conduct their research and teach at the Department of Computer Science. They are among the best in their field and span the many facets of modern computer science, from the underlying theory to the design and construction of practical systems.

Over three hundred doctoral students and 110 post-doctoral and senior researchers contribute to maintaining the department’s high level of teaching and research. Around 1,400 Bachelor’s and 1,080 Master’s students currently benefit from this excellent academic environment. While maintaining longstanding, traditional ties with electrical engineering and mathematics, department researchers increasingly interact with other disciplines including physics, mechanical engineering and the life sciences. In addition, the department collaborates with numerous external centres and labs when developing certain topics, as part of joint research programmes or during outreach activities. Latest examples include the ETH AI Center and the Cyber Defence Campus.

Strong research and business network

The department maintains strong ties with a wide network of top universities around the globe. Close cooperation with scientists abroad is an integral part of its research culture. The department also participates in intensive research collaborations with global IT players and research centres, such as DisneyResearch|Studios, Microsoft, IBM, SAP and Google, and with financial service companies such as ZKB and Six. Findings from such research flow directly into teaching.