The Theory Group at the University of Michigan conducts research across many areas of theoretical computer science, such as combinatorial optimization, data structures, cryptography, quantum computation, parallel and distributed computation, algorithmic game theory, graph theory, geometry, and combinatorics. We investigate the value of tradeoffs among fundamental resources such as running time, storage space, randomness, communication, and energy, in both the classical and quantum senses.

Theory faculty and students work with others from the division, as well as faculty from Mathematics, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Industrial and Operations Engineering, Climate and Space Sciences and Engineering, and elsewhere in the University.