Search result: Catalogue data in Spring Semester 2019

Computer Science Master Information
Focus Courses
Focus Courses in Theoretical Computer Science
Focus Elective Courses Theoretical Computer Science
NumberTitleTypeECTSHoursLecturers
252-0408-00LCryptographic Protocols Information W5 credits2V + 2UM. Hirt, U. Maurer
AbstractThe course presents a selection of hot research topics in cryptography. The choice of topics varies and may include provable security, interactive proofs, zero-knowledge protocols, secret sharing, secure multi-party computation, e-voting, etc.
ObjectiveIndroduction to a very active research area with many gems and paradoxical
results. Spark interest in fundamental problems.
ContentThe course presents a selection of hot research topics in cryptography. The choice of topics varies and may include provable security, interactive proofs, zero-knowledge protocols, secret sharing, secure multi-party computation, e-voting, etc.
Lecture notesthe lecture notes are in German, but they are not required as the entire
course material is documented also in other course material (in english).
Prerequisites / NoticeA basic understanding of fundamental cryptographic concepts
(as taught for example in the course Information Security or
in the course Cryptography Foundations) is useful, but not required.
252-1403-00LInvitation to Quantum Informatics Information W3 credits2VS. Wolf
AbstractFollowed by an introduction to the basic principles of quantum physics, such as superposition, interference, or entanglement, a variety of subjects are treated: Quantum algorithms, teleportation, quantum communication complexity and "pseudo-telepathy", quantum cryptography, as well as the main concepts of quantum information theory.
ObjectiveIt is the goal of this course to get familiar with the most important notions that are of importance for the connection between Information and Physics. The formalism of Quantum Physics will be motivated and derived, and the use of these laws for information processing will be understood. In particular, the important algorithms of Grover as well as Shor will be studied and analyzed.
ContentAccording to Landauer, "information is physical". In quantum information, one is interested in the consequences and the possibilites offered by the laws of quantum physics for information processing. Followed by an introduction to the basic principles of quantum physics, such as superposition, interference, or entanglement, a variety of subjects are treated: Quantum algorithms, teleportation, quantum communication complexity and "pseude-telepathy", quantum cryptography, as well as the main concepts of quantum information theory.
252-1424-00LModels of ComputationW6 credits2V + 2U + 1AM. Cook
AbstractThis course surveys many different models of computation: Turing Machines, Cellular Automata, Finite State Machines, Graph Automata, Circuits, Tilings, Lambda Calculus, Fractran, Chemical Reaction Networks, Hopfield Networks, String Rewriting Systems, Tag Systems, Diophantine Equations, Register Machines, Primitive Recursive Functions, and more.
ObjectiveThe goal of this course is to become acquainted with a wide variety of models of computation, to understand how models help us to understand the modeled systems, and to be able to develop and analyze models appropriate for new systems.
ContentThis course surveys many different models of computation: Turing Machines, Cellular Automata, Finite State Machines, Graph Automata, Circuits, Tilings, Lambda Calculus, Fractran, Chemical Reaction Networks, Hopfield Networks, String Rewriting Systems, Tag Systems, Diophantine Equations, Register Machines, Primitive Recursive Functions, and more.
263-4506-00LMassively Parallel Algorithms Information W6 credits2V + 1U + 2AM. Ghaffari
AbstractData sizes are growing faster than the capacities of single processors. This makes it almost a certainty that the future of computation will rely on parallelism. In this new graduate-level course, we discuss the expanding body of work on the theoretical foundations of modern parallel computation, with an emphasis on the algorithmic tools and techniques for large-scale processing.
ObjectiveThis course will familiarize the students with the algorithmic tools and techniques in modern parallel computation. In particular, we will discuss the growing body of algorithmic results in the Massively Parallel Computation (MPC) model. This model is a mathematical abstraction of some of the popular large-scale processing settings such as MapReduce, Hadoop, Spark, etc. By the end of the semester, the students will know all the standard tools of this area, as well as the state of the art on a number of the central problems. Our hope is that the course prepares the students for independent research at the frontier of this area, and we will attempt to move in that direction with the course projects.

The course assumes no particular familiarity with parallel computation and should be accesible to any student with sufficient theoretical/algorithmic background. In particular, we expect that all students are comfortable with the basics of algorithmics designs and analysis, as well as probability theory.
ContentThe course will cover a sampling of the recent developments (and open questions) at the frontier of research in massively/modern parallel computation. the material will be based on compilation of recent papers on this area, which will be provided throughout the semester.
Prerequisites / NoticeThe class does not expect any prior knowledge in parallel algorithms/computing. Our only prerequisite is the undergraduate class Algorithms, Probability, and Computing (APC) or any other course that can be seen as the equivalent. In particular, much of waht we will discuss uses randomized algorithms and therefore, we will assume that the students are familiar with the tools and techniques in randomized algorithms and analysis (to the extent covered in the APC class).
272-0300-00LAlgorithmics for Hard Problems Information
This course d o e s n o t include the Mentored Work Specialised Courses with an Educational Focus in Computer Science A.
W4 credits2V + 1UH.‑J. Böckenhauer, R. Kralovic
AbstractThis course unit looks into algorithmic approaches to the solving of hard problems, particularly with moderately exponential-time algorithms and parameterized algorithms.

The seminar is accompanied by a comprehensive reflection upon the significance of the approaches presented for computer science tuition at high schools.
ObjectiveTo systematically acquire an overview of the methods for solving hard problems. To get deeper knowledge of exact and parameterized algorithms.
ContentFirst, the concept of hardness of computation is introduced (repeated for the computer science students). Then some methods for solving hard problems are treated in a systematic way. For each algorithm design method, it is discussed what guarantees it can give and how we pay for the improved efficiency. A special focus lies on moderately exponential-time algorithms and parameterized algorithms.
Lecture notesUnterlagen und Folien werden zur Verfügung gestellt.
LiteratureJ. Hromkovic: Algorithmics for Hard Problems, Springer 2004.

R. Niedermeier: Invitation to Fixed-Parameter Algorithms, 2006.

M. Cygan et al.: Parameterized Algorithms, 2015.

F. Fomin, D. Kratsch: Exact Exponential Algorithms, 2010.
272-0302-00LApproximation and Online Algorithms Information W4 credits2V + 1UH.‑J. Böckenhauer, D. Komm
AbstractThis lecture deals with approximative algorithms for hard optimization problems and algorithmic approaches for solving online problems as well as the limits of these approaches.
ObjectiveGet a systematic overview of different methods for designing approximative algorithms for hard optimization problems and online problems. Get to know methods for showing the limitations of these approaches.
ContentApproximation algorithms are one of the most succesful techniques to attack hard optimization problems. Here, we study the so-called approximation ratio, i.e., the ratio of the cost of the computed approximating solution and an optimal one (which is not computable efficiently).
For an online problem, the whole instance is not known in advance, but it arrives pieceweise and for every such piece a corresponding part of the definite output must be given. The quality of an algorithm for such an online problem is measured by the competitive ratio, i.e., the ratio of the cost of the computed solution and the cost of an optimal solution that could be given if the whole input was known in advance.

The contents of this lecture are
- the classification of optimization problems by the reachable approximation ratio,
- systematic methods to design approximation algorithms (e.g., greedy strategies, dynamic programming, linear programming relaxation),
- methods to show non-approximability,
- classic online problem like paging or scheduling problems and corresponding algorithms,
- randomized online algorithms,
- the design and analysis principles for online algorithms, and
- limits of the competitive ratio and the advice complexity as a way to do a deeper analysis of the complexity of online problems.
LiteratureThe lecture is based on the following books:

J. Hromkovic: Algorithmics for Hard Problems, Springer, 2004

D. Komm: An Introduction to Online Computation: Determinism, Randomization, Advice, Springer, 2016

Additional literature:

A. Borodin, R. El-Yaniv: Online Computation and Competitive Analysis, Cambridge University Press, 1998
401-3052-05LGraph Theory Information W5 credits2V + 1UB. Sudakov
AbstractBasic notions, trees, spanning trees, Caley's formula, vertex and edge connectivity, blocks, 2-connectivity, Mader's theorem, Menger's theorem, Eulerian graphs, Hamilton cycles, Dirac's theorem, matchings, theorems of Hall, König and Tutte, planar graphs, Euler's formula, basic non-planar graphs, graph colorings, greedy colorings, Brooks' theorem, 5-colorings of planar graphs
ObjectiveThe students will get an overview over the most fundamental questions concerning graph theory. We expect them to understand the proof techniques and to use them autonomously on related problems.
Lecture notesLecture will be only at the blackboard.
LiteratureWest, D.: "Introduction to Graph Theory"
Diestel, R.: "Graph Theory"

Further literature links will be provided in the lecture.
Prerequisites / NoticeStudents are expected to have a mathematical background and should be able to write rigorous proofs.


NOTICE: This course unit was previously offered as 252-1408-00L Graphs and Algorithms.
401-3903-11LGeometric Integer ProgrammingW6 credits2V + 1UR. Weismantel, J. Paat, M. Schlöter
AbstractInteger programming is the task of minimizing a linear function over all the integer points in a polyhedron. This lecture introduces the key concepts of an algorithmic theory for solving such problems.
ObjectiveThe purpose of the lecture is to provide a geometric treatment of the theory of integer optimization.
ContentKey topics are:
- lattice theory and the polynomial time solvability of integer optimization problems in fixed dimension,
- the theory of integral generating sets and its connection to totally dual integral systems,
- finite cutting plane algorithms based on lattices and integral generating sets.
Lecture notesnot available, blackboard presentation
LiteratureBertsimas, Weismantel: Optimization over Integers, Dynamic Ideas 2005.
Schrijver: Theory of linear and integer programming, Wiley, 1986.
Prerequisites / Notice"Mathematical Optimization" (401-3901-00L)
401-4904-00LCombinatorial Optimization Information W6 credits2V + 1UR. Zenklusen
AbstractCombinatorial Optimization deals with efficiently finding a provably strong solution among a finite set of options. This course discusses key combinatorial structures and techniques to design efficient algorithms for combinatorial optimization problems. We put a strong emphasis on polyhedral methods, which proved to be a powerful and unifying tool throughout combinatorial optimization.
ObjectiveThe goal of this lecture is to get a thorough understanding of various modern combinatorial optimization techniques with an emphasis on polyhedral approaches. Students will learn a general toolbox to tackle a wide range of combinatorial optimization problems.
ContentKey topics include:
- Polyhedral descriptions;
- Combinatorial uncrossing;
- Ellipsoid method;
- Equivalence between separation and optimization;
- Design of efficient approximation algorithms for hard problems.
Lecture notesLecture notes will be available online.
Literature- Bernhard Korte, Jens Vygen: Combinatorial Optimization. 5th edition, Springer, 2012.
- Alexander Schrijver: Combinatorial Optimization: Polyhedra and Efficiency, Springer, 2003. This work has 3 volumes.
Prerequisites / NoticePrior exposure to Linear Programming can greatly help the understanding of the material. We therefore recommend that students interested in Combinatorial Optimization get familiarized with Linear Programming before taking this lecture.
263-4110-00LInterdisciplinary Algorithms Lab Restricted registration - show details
Does not take place this semester.
In the Master Programme max. 10 credits can be accounted by Labs on top of the Interfocus Courses. Additional Labs will be listed on the Addendum.
W5 credits2PA. Steger, D. Steurer
AbstractIn this course students will develop solutions for algorithmic problems posed by researchers from other fields.
ObjectiveStudents will learn that in order to tackle algorithmic problems from an interdisciplinary or applied context one needs to combine a solid understanding of algorithmic methodology with insights into the problem at hand to judge which side constraints are essential and which can be loosened.
Prerequisites / NoticeStudents will work in teams. Ideally, skills of team members complement each other.

Interested Bachelor students can apply for participation by sending an email to Link explaining motivation and transcripts.
272-0301-00LMethods for Design of Random Systems Information
Does not take place this semester.
This course d o e s n o t include the Mentored Work Specialised Courses with an Educational Focus in Computer Science B.
W4 credits2V + 1U
AbstractThe students should get a deep understanding of the notion of randomness and its usefulness. Using basic elements probability theory and number theory the students will discover randomness as a source of efficiency in algorithmic. The goal is to teach the paradigms of design of randomized algorithms.
ObjectiveTo understand the computational power of randomness and to learn the basic
methods for designing randomized algorithms
Lecture notesJ. Hromkovic: Randomisierte Algorithmen, Teubner 2004.

J.Hromkovic: Design and Analysis of Randomized Algorithms. Springer 2006.

J.Hromkovic: Algorithmics for Hard Problems, Springer 2004.
LiteratureJ. Hromkovic: Randomisierte Algorithmen, Teubner 2004.

J.Hromkovic: Design and Analysis of Randomized Algorithms. Springer 2006.

J.Hromkovic: Algorithmics for Hard Problems, Springer 2004.
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