Theoretical Computer Science

Swansea has one of the largest groups of theoretical computer scientists in the UK, with a research programme focused by these questions:

• Computability
  
  • Dr Jens Blanck, Professor John Tucker
  • What can and what cannot be computed, now or in the future? We are extending the classical theory of digital computation, expanding the conception of computation to deal with any form of discrete and continuous data, any physical form of data representation, and any physical means of computation. Read more about computability…
• Specification
  
  • Professor Peter Mosses, Dr Markus Roggenbach
  • What is a system supposed to do? The accurate and unambiguous specification of software and hardware systems is a massive problem. We pursue radical new approaches to the design and construction of programming and specification languages. Read more about specification…
• Proof theory
  
  • Dr Ulrich Berger, Dr Monika Seisenberger, Dr Anton Setzer
  • Does a system actually do what it is supposed to do? Reasoning about huge systems is necessary and difficult. Our work pushes the limits of proof, builds tools using constructive type theory and logics, and applies them to problems such as railway signalling systems. Read more about proof theory…
• Complexity
  
  • Professor Arnold Beckmann, Dr Oliver Kullmann, Professor Faron Moller
  • How hard is it to verify the correctness of programs? This question is intrigues researchers who want to measure the complexity of proofs, find the fastest SAT-solver, and improve model checking tools for systems. Read more about complexity…
• Railway Verification
  
  • Professor Faron Moller, Dr Markus Roggenbach, Dr Monika Seisenberger, Dr Anton Setzer
  • In 2007, we started a collaboration with Invensys Rail, a multinational technology leader based in Chippenham, which provides state-of-the-art signalling, communication and control systems for mainline and mass transit rail networks across the world. The success of this collaboration resulted in the creation of the Swansea Railway Verification Group. Research carried out by the group is having impact on both current practices and strategic planning within the railway industry. Read more about railway verification…