During year 2011, the Department of Computer Science adapted to life after the university reform, the finances reached a balance, infra-structures were developed, and many new ventures were started. The department continued its successes in various evaluations and assessments.

The main key figures have developed in different directions. This year, 66 Master's degrees and 134 Bachelor degrees were completed. Both numbers are rising and were the highest in the faculty. As for doctoral degrees, we did not reach our goal, and there were only 3 degrees completed this year. The number of study credit points remained at the same level as the previous year, but as for number of publications (186), external funding used, and person-years completed, we fell beneath the level achieved last year.

The method of workshop studying has been implemented in the programming courses at the beginning of the degree programme. This has given us some inspiring experiences: the workshop helps students commit to their degree programme. However, the problem of drawn-out studies and weak commitment still remains at the department. In the area of acquiring research funding, the department participated very successfully in the latest application round for the Finnish Academy centres of excellence. The department is represented in three new centres of excellence, which will start in 2012. Representatives from the department coordinate two of Tekes’ new research programmes in the Strategic Centres for Science, Technology and Innovation. In the academic research evaluation carried out in 2012, three research communities from the department participated. Their joint result was excellent.

The department joined the LUMA centre at the Kumpula campus by establishing its own resource centre, Linkki. It organises public activities in the field of science and IT, such as programming clubs and camps for children and young people, coaching in competitive programming (Datatähti, International Olympiad in Informatics), and further education for teachers.

For the development of the staff, the most important event in 2011 was that the first Finland Distinguished Professor visiting professor started his work at the department. Jürgen Münch, PhD, was appointed to this professorship; he transferred to the department from the Fraunhofer institute in Kaiserslautern. The appointment process for the vacancy of the department’s first assistant professor in the university's new tenure-track system was also started. There were some 80 applicants from around the world.

The working conditions and atmosphere at the department are still good. This is shown by the results of the university’s latest work atmosphere enquiry. According to the enquiry, the department received the highest points of the whole faculty in all areas, and the faculty received higher points than the whole university on average.

The department has a good foundation laid in 2011, on which to continue building. I want to thank all the members of our community for their excellent work.

Esko Ukkonen

Head of the department, Professor