About our research
This specialisation is connected to the research that is performed at the Institute for Computing and Information Sciences (iCIS), as well as the Institute for Mathematics, Astrophysics and Particle Physics (IMAPP). Researchers from both institutes work together in mathematical logic and theoretical computer science. The research in this field is aimed at gaining a better understanding of the mathematical foundations of computer science. On this page, you can read more about the relevant research institute(s) and departments in which our highly renowned research takes place.
Research institutes
Institute for Computing and Information Sciences
The overall goal of ICIS is to improve the security and reliability of computer- based systems and algorithms based on mathematically sound theories. Through its cutting-edge research, ICIS is a forerunner in terms of research and contributes to society, especially in the field of cyber security. ICIS looks beyond its own field as it integrates the know-how with other disciplines such as law, medicine, and neuroscience. Through this approach, ICIS is relevant not only in research, but also tackles the challenges of IT in modern-day society.
Research at iCIS is organised in three different research sections:
- Software Science
- Digital Security
- Data Science
Institute for Mathematics, Astrophysics and Particle Physics
IMAPP carries out fundamental research in mathematics, high-energy physics and astrophysics with special attention for interdisciplinary topics. The overarching research theme is the origin and evolution of the universe and its underlying mathematical structures. The combination of research topics of IMAPP is remarkable. There are mathematicians working on statistics of diseases, astrophysicists looking at collisions of black holes and physicists trying to complete the standard model of particle physics. Even though IMAPP covers different research fields, scientists are working closely together on interdisciplinary research topics. Examples of research at IMAPP include the investigation of the Higgs boson particle, the image of a black hole and gravitational waves.
Research groups
You can do your own Master’s research at a research group at either research institute or with an external organisation. A few examples of themes in which you could choose your own research topic:
- Types
- Automata
- Proofs
- Algebra
- Categories
- Logic
- Complexity
Software Science group
The mission of this group is to conduct world-leading research on the use of models for design and analysis of software, bridging the gap between theory and applications. The group is well-known for various research topics that are close to the MFoCS programme, such as type theory, formal methods, (co)algebraic methods, programming languages, term rewriting and complexity, and model learning.
Data Science group
The Data Science group within ICIS develops theory and methods for scalable machine learning and information retrieval to analyse big data and address challenging problems in (among others) neuroscience and bioinformatics. They are involved in various projects with other groups, both within and outside the Radboud University, such as the Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behavior, and SNN Adaptive Intelligence.
Digital Security group
The Digital Security group works on a broad range of topics in computer security, including applied cryptography, security protocols, smartcards and RFID, and the security and correctness of software. We are also interested in societal aspects of digital security, such as privacy and e-voting, and interaction with disciplines outside computer science such as cryptography and law.
Mathematics department
Mathematics inspires and fascinates, and at the same time makes an enormous contribution to society. The mission of the Mathematics department is to carry out research in mathematics at the highest scientific level. Research is based around Applied Mathematics, Applied Stochastics, Mathematical Physics and Pure Mathematics.
Research facilities
Our university invests in unique research facilities of international significance. Examples are the combination of magnets and lasers for materials research at HFML-FELIX and brain scan facilities for research at the Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour.