The focal areas for research at the department during the current strategy period 2010-12 are data analysis, data networks and services, and software research.

 

Data analysis. The research includes method development and applications in modern data analysis: machine learning, data mining, information-theoretical modelling. At the department, this research is concentrated to the Algodan centre of excellence and Helsinki Institute for Information Technology. This research has a strong application field in the data analysis of biological data, which is also one of the focal areas of research of the whole faculty.

 

Data networks and services.  Research into networked systems and their premises: middleware (including service and application platforms, management of middleware, trust, and safety), mobility (independence of device and location, wireless communications), information networks, service networks, context-awareness and ubiquitous computing. This area combines the department's traditional research into wireless and mobile computing with new emerging research themes on middleware and ubiquitous computing. The focus of the research is moving from protocols towards the problems of the application level and their solutions.

 

Software research. The research into this area will grow considerably during the next three-year period, both in applied and basic research. The focus of software research is on the global development and processes of software, systems of open source code and web technologies and their utilisation, parallel programming, sustainable software technologies and their applicability.

 

Some 20 research groups are working in these focal areas at the department.