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The David R. Cheriton School of Computer Science is globally recognized for excellence in education, scholarship, investigation, and career preparation. We draw outstanding students worldwide to learn and collaborate with our distinguished faculty. Engage in diverse research initiatives alongside our world-renowned scholars. Our investigations cover the full spectrum of computer science, from fundamental systems, theory, and programming languages to cutting-edge areas like human-computer interaction, DNA computing, quantum computing, and both theoretical and practical machine learning. Graduate students benefit from: Dedicated research facilities. Chances to publish in leading academic venues. Platforms to present findings at major conferences before fellow scholars, industry professionals, and field specialists. Graduate scholars enjoy the freedom to focus on their chosen research path under faculty guidance or complete eight courses for degree completion through the coursework pathway.
WatForm (Waterloo Formal Methods) unites members from both the Cheriton School of Computer Science and the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department. This collective applies precise mathematical techniques to develop practical computer systems, from microchips to telecommunications networks. Early-stage mathematical modeling helps identify potential flaws when they're most cost-effective to address. System designers utilize layered abstractions, transitioning from basic switch models to complex instruction architectures, simplifying transistor groups into unified components. Current research focuses on bridging the gap between register-transfer and functional-block levels by establishing pipeline-level structural and behavioral theories. This advancement aims to streamline design processes and enhance verification for sophisticated microprocessors featuring advanced optimizations like out-of-order and superscalar operations. As automated control systems grow increasingly complex, new verification and synthesis challenges emerge. Contemporary automation demands not just individual feedback mechanisms but also synchronized coordination among numerous interconnected subsystems. The group is pioneering analytical and synthetic approaches for comprehensive discrete-event control systems.