Data Communications Software

People

Data Communications Software (DCS) research group in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Aalto University, has three professors and five post-docs: Prof. Antti Ylä-Jääski, Prof. Tuomas Aura, Prof. Jukka K. Nurminen, Dr. Sakari Luukkainen, Dr. Matti Siekkinen, Dr. Zhonghong Ou, Dr. Andrey Lukyanenko, and Dr. Mario Di Francesco. Lecturing and research coordination staff includes Prof. Sasu Tarkoma, Sanna Suoranta and Satu Jääskeläinen. There are currently 17 doctoral students and, each year, many more MSc thesis students in the group.

Teaching Focus

Data Communications Software group is responsible for the fundamental bachelor level courses on computer networks and information security in the CSE degree programme. In master’s level, the teaching includes advanced courses on computer networks, mobile systems programming, cloud computing, applications and services in distributed systems, telecommunications management and research methodologies in computer communications systems. In information security, teaching topics include network security, privacy, trusted computing and identity management.

Research Focus

The Information and Communications industries in Finland are strong. There is a constant need for world-class research and top graduates in the industry and academia. Data Communications Software group has identified four research areas to focus on, namely, energy aware computing and communications, distributed systems and services, networking business, and security in distributed systems. The group has accumulated competencies in these areas during the last decade in numerous research projects.

Graduating and getting a job

Data Communications Software major is a very popular study topic in Aalto; altogether 488 students have graduated in this major in 1998-2010. DCS has an extensive cooperation network and a significant number of the master’s theses are done every year in the industry. After finishing their studies, the students typically take job in the industry where there is a high demand for experts in this area. However, our students are equally competent for doctoral studies and academic career. During the last five years, students from DCS have finalised their master’s thesis in more than 35 companies and organizations such as Accenture, Airwide Solutions, Analyse Systems Finland, Cesim, Commit, CSC, Descom, EADS Secure Networks, eCraft, Eniram, Ericsson, Espoon pursiseura, Futurice, Geometrix, Helsinki Institute of Physics, HIIT, IBM, Innofactor, Itella, Kronodoc, LiKeIT Solutions, Maanpuolustuskorkeakoulu, Nokia, Nokia Siemens Networks, NorthID, Päijät-Hämeen koulutuskonserni, Reaktor Innovations, Risicum, Sampo Pankki, Spartagon Consulting, SSH Communications Security, Tieto, Ubisecure, Vianova Systems, Vilant Systems, Wapice, etc.

Doctoral studies in Data Communications Software

After 2002, altogether 13 doctoral dissertations have been finalized in Data Communications Software. Many of our doctoral students continue from their master’s studies in DCS. After finishing the doctoral dissertation the students have typically found job opportunities in the industry and some students have continued in academic career. Both options are typically open for our doctoral graduates.

Cooperation with industry

Data Communications Software research group has a  wide range of research cooperation with the industry including companies and institutes such as CSC, Ericsson, F-Secure, HIIT, Microsoft, Nokia, Nokia Siemens Networks, Renesas Mobile, Sensinode, TeliaSonera, There Corporation, Tieto, TiViT, VTT, etc. Several companies also participate in teaching giving lectures, tutoring students and sometimes organizing special courses in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering.