Welcome from the Chair

It is my pleasure to welcome you to the Department of Computer Science of the University of Toronto. Today is an exciting time for computer science because computation is becoming endemic to all aspects of our lives. We offer an unparalleled breadth of expertise, innovative teaching, and collaborative research environments that extend across the physical sciences, engineering, medicine, commerce and the arts. 

Our award-winning faculty — we are home to two Turing Award winners and to members of acclaimed computing societies, including six ACM fellows and seven Fellows of the Royal Society of Canada — are recognized internationally and are renowned for their commitment to research and teaching. Since 1964, the Department has provided students and industry with opportunities to engage in innovative research that addresses the biggest technological challenges of the day. Many of our faculty are cross-appointed or joint-appointed with departments across the university such as Statistics, Mathematics, Physics and Medicine, as well as with top research institutions such as the University Health Network and the Vector Institute. 

We are home to over 2,500 undergraduates and over 450 graduate students. Our competitive undergraduate programs offer comprehensive research, work, and field experience alongside a close community of students, faculty, and alumni who share common interests. Our MSc and PhD programs engage our students in pursuing cutting-edge research, while our Master of Science in Applied Computing (MScAC) program creates collaborative opportunities at the intersection of academia and industry. Our alumni have gone on to work for some of the world’s leading tech companies, from Google to Apple to Amazon, or to hold academic positions at prestigious institutions such as Princeton University, Carnegie Mellon University, the University of Washington, the University of Wisconsin–Madison, the University of Waterloo, and the University of British Columbia.

The Department is globally recognized for its strong academic programs, innovative teaching, and research that continues to challenge the boundaries of computer science innovation. For example, our Technology Leadership Initiative prepares undergraduate students to accelerate their careers through industry-integrated learning, while our Master of Science in Applied Computing (MScAC) program educates the next generation of world-class innovators. Startups established by our students, alumni and faculty have collectively raised millions in venture funding.

Toronto itself is a global tech powerhouse, and is one of the most innovative cities in the world, creating opportunities for members of the Department to contribute to these advances in technology and to work with some of the world’s most cutting-edge companies.

I would like to thank our students, faculty and staff who make us the top-ranked Computer Science Department in Canada and among the best in the world. I invite you to learn more about us and discover the positive impact that our community is making in the world today. We welcome you to join us, as an undergraduate or graduate student, a postdoctoral fellow, a faculty member, or as a collaborator. We continue to recruit outstanding faculty candidates, so please consider becoming a part of our growing community.

Eyal de Lara
Professor & Chair