djgcucl.ppt 1278KB Jun 23 2011 01:00:46 PM

University of Cambridge
Computer Laboratory
HoD: Professor Andy Hopper

University of Cambridge
Computer Laboratory
DJG 2004

Dr David Greaves
djg@cl.cam.ac.uk

Welcome to the CL
The department of
Computer Science in the
University of Cambridge.
William Gates Building,
Opened October 2001.

University of Cambridge
Computer Laboratory
DJG 2004

Computer Laboratory
• Staf
– 38 academic staf,
– 25 support staf, and
– 40 affiliated research staf.

• Students
– 154 research students (PhD),
– 30 Mphil Advanced Computer Science,
– 20 Mphil in Speech and Language,
– 3x50 BA Undergraduates.
University of Cambridge
Computer Laboratory
DJG 2004

Interactive Formal Verification
• Professor Mike Gordon
–
–

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Viper Microprocessor 1985
Fast Ring ECL Chip in 1986
ATM Switch Chip in HOL 90 in 1994
Formal model of ARM 6 in 2002
Embedding PSL/Sugar in HOL 2004
Embedded Crypto Algorithms (ongoing)

• Prof Larry Paulson (Isabelle Prover)
• John Harrison (HOL Lite Prover)
University of Cambridge
Computer Laboratory
DJG 2004

EDA Spinouts
•

•
•
•
•
•

Qudos – E-beam rapid prototyping,
Virata – Broadband Modems,
Tenison – RTL to C++ modelling,
Azuro – Clock tree synthesis,
Embecosm – TLM Debugging.
Our graduates provided technical lead at
ARC, Intel, TransEDA, ARM, PA Semi, ...

University of Cambridge
Computer Laboratory
DJG 2004

END OF PRESENTATION

University of Cambridge
Computer Laboratory
DJG 2004

Welcome to the CL
• The UoC Department of Computer
Science
– Some history of our department
– Admission
– Undergraduate Taught Courses
– Postgraduate Courses
– Research Areas
– Supporter’s Club
– Women in Computer Science
– Graduate Association
University of Cambridge
Computer Laboratory
DJG 2004

The Mathematical Laboratory

• Founded 1937, Sir MV Wilkes.
• EDSAC ran first stored program 1949
• Thenceforth provided a computer
service
• Titan, IBM machines, Phoenix
• Diploma started in 1953
• Undergraduate Tripos in 1969
• Moved to WGB in 2001
University•
of Cambridge
Rated
5*
and
‘Excellent’
Computer Laboratory
DJG 2004

1949: Edsac 1

University of Cambridge

Computer Laboratory
DJG 2004

1977: Cambridge Distributed
System

University of Cambridge
Computer Laboratory
DJG 2004

1993: Autostereo Display

University of Cambridge
Computer Laboratory
DJG 2004

William Gates Building
• A split with the
Computer Service
• All research under one

roof
• Two lecture theatres,
one practical laboratory.
• Intel, Optronics and LCE
currently on top floor
• Microsoft MSR out the
in their own
University of back
Cambridge
Computer Laboratory
DJG 2004 building.

Heads of Department

University of Cambridge
Computer Laboratory
DJG 2004

Undergraduate Courses
• 25% Computer Science (with 75%

maths)
• 50% Computer Science (with 25% NST)
• Full time for years 2 and 3 leading to BA.
• Part II General - A one year part II
• Diploma - A masters-like conversion
course

University of Cambridge
Computer Laboratory
DJG 2004

Admission
• Undergraduates admitted by Colleges
• Admission requirements:
– A-level Maths
– One other science A level (pref Further
Maths)
– A third A-level or international equivalent

• Postgraduates (PhD) must find a

supervisor who will has an interest in
their research
University of Cambridge
Computer Laboratory
DJG 2004

What is Computer Science ?
• It is not how to use
Microsoft Excel
• It is not how to
design web sites
• It is not how to be an
IT manager
• We don’t even train
people in C++
programming.
University of Cambridge
Computer Laboratory
DJG 2004

• It is about theory of
data representation
• It is about network
protocol design
• It is about the history
and future of
operating systems
• It’s about
fundamental
diferences between
programming
paradigms.

Example CST Subject Areas
•
•
•
•
•
•

•
•

Continuous Maths
Discrete Maths
Software Engineering
Programming
Operating Systems
Compilers
Databases
Information Theory
and Coding

University of Cambridge
Computer Laboratory
DJG 2004

•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

Computability
Semantics
Hardware
Processor Design
Business
Communications
Spec and Verification
VLSI

3 year Tripos Practical Work
• Ia: Java ticks
• Ia: ML ticks
• Ia: Hardware ticks
• Ib: ECAD and Architecture ticks
• Ib: Group Projects
• II: Project and Dissertation (25% marks).
University of Cambridge
Computer Laboratory
DJG 2004

ML programming demo.
• ML is the first language our students
see
• It is functional (not imperative)
• One of the most-advanced languages
ever becoming mainstream (almost
mainstream).
• Aim to teach fundamentals, not
arbitraryness.
– `If something has been known for 10 years
and looks as though it will remain true for

University of Cambridge
Computer Laboratory
DJG 2004

ML: Three Ways to Add Up
(* Mathematician *)
fun intsum1(a, b) = (b-a+1) *(a+b) div 2;
(* Engineer *)
fun intsum3(a, b) = if (a=b) then a else
let val midpoint = (a+b) div 2
in intsum3(a, midpoint) + intsum3(midpoint+1, b)
end
;
(* Computer Scientist *)
fun intsum2(a, b) =
if (a = b) then a else a + intsum2(a+1, b);

University of Cambridge
Computer Laboratory
DJG 2004

Postgraduate Courses
• PhD in theoretical computer science
– Can be in any area researched in the
department.

• 1986: M Phil in Speech and Language
Processing (with dept of Engineering)
• Fourth Year in School of Technology ?
– Currently being planned.
University of Cambridge
Computer Laboratory
DJG 2004

Current Major Research Areas
• Programming Languages, Compilers
• Security - Smart Cards, Trusted Computing
• Systems - OS, Processors, Middleware,
Trust, Networks, H/W.
• Rainbow - Graphics, HCI, Asynch H/W
• Natural Language and Information
Retrieval
• Theory & Semantics - Quantum,
Computability
• Automated Reasoning - HVG, Protocols
New areas
are covered
newLCE
appointments:
Bioinfomatics
• Projects
withwith
MSR,
and Intele.g.
Research.
University of Cambridge
Computer Laboratory
DJG 2004

Research Area Map
Theory and Semantics
Users

Maths
HCI

Language

Graphics
Proof
Media Mobility
Networks

Security

Hardware
Engineering

University of Cambridge
Computer Laboratory
DJG 2004

Programs

Example: Pervasive
Computing
Trusted computing infrastructure
Mobile applications
Security of smart cards
Correctness of Network Protocols
XML Ontology for personal
information
Rules for control of the home
Alternative HCI devices for realtime
control and generating
University
of Cambridge
Computer Laboratory
`programs’.
DJG 2004

Supporter’s Club
• 10 to 50 Local Industry Fund
Contributors
• Originally for local companies
• Library and consultancy access
• Frequently funds PhD Students
• Specialist Lecture Series
• Recruitment Fair Once a Year
• Well-attended annual dinner!
University of Cambridge
Computer Laboratory
DJG 2004

Women in Computer Science
• Sometimes seen as a male profession ?
• WICS mission to redress balance.
• Currently 4 or so female out of 30
lecturers.
• Only 5 to 10 percent of undergraduates
• 15 percent of postgraduates ?
• WICS regular meetings, open agenda
• Women frequently come top in Tripos.
• 2002: 26.9% of the 52 female applicants to Cambridge
Computer Science were accepted compared to 21.6% of the
University of Cambridge
416 male.
Computer Laboratory
DJG 2004

Graduate Association
• Called ‘The Cambridge Ring’
• Recently established,
2002
• 200-300 members
• Annual update and
dinner
• Advice and consultancy
• Should become selffunding
University of Cambridge
Computer Laboratory
DJG 2004

Local Industry
• 28,000 Hi-tech employees in Cambridge
• 14,000 of them in computing/electronics
• New companies are always being founded
by our alumni
16

Manufacture

Telecomms

Consultancy (software)

Consultancy (hardware)

Consultancy (business)

R&D

14

Frequency

12

10

8

6

4

2

0

1978 1984 1985 1986 1987 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002

University of Cambridge
Computer Laboratory
DJG 2004

• Thank-you and any questions ?

– Web www.cl.cam.ac.uk
– djg@cl.cam.ac.uk

University of Cambridge
Computer Laboratory
DJG 2004