The Laboratory for Foundations of Computer Science (LFCS) continues to lead the way in the development of mathematical models, algorithms, theories and tools that probe the possibilities of computation and communication.

University of Edinburgh's students benefit from being part of one of the largest and strongest groups of theoretical computer scientists in the world.

Their research is aimed at establishing deep understanding of computation in its many forms. Using advanced mathematical principles, they create theories and software tools allowing fundamental capabilities of computation to be explored, as well as designing languages that can be used to construct safe and effective programs.

Areas of interest within LFCS include: algorithms and complexity, cryptography, databases, logic, programming languages and semantics, performance modelling, quantum computing, security and privacy, software modelling and testing, and verification.