The chair trains specialists in algorithmic support of computer systems.

The following areas of specialization are offered:

• Mathematical models and methods of decision-making;
• Encoding and mathematical cryptography;
• Analysis and combinatorics of symbol sequences;
• Mathematical methods for image recognition.

Mathematical models and methods of decision making are the basis of computer decision support systems. Such systems are used in different fields of human activity, such as transportation, operations management, production planning, etc.

The need for such systems mainly arises where required to consider options for achieving goals, take into account the diverse factors and restrictions, to optimize on several conflicting criteria. The demand for specialists in decision support systems is steadily increasing and their preparation requires knowledge of combinatorial optimization, skills to develop mathematical models and the ability to solve NP-hard problems.

Research and training in the field of encoding and cryptography is now an urgent necessity that mainly caused by the intensive exchange of confidential information in computer networks. Besides, the methods of encoding theory and cryptanalysis are also applied in studying mechanisms of representation, storage and transmission of information of natural origin, restoring it by indirect or partial data.

Image recognition is an act of attributing initial data about the analyzed object (an object, its state or phenomenon) to a particular class. Recognition problems arise in many areas. Examples include medical and technical diagnostic, speech signal and image processing, systems of data communication, radiolocation and hydroacoustics, geology, genetics etc.

Image recognition is an independent branch of applied mathematics aimed at solving various problems of efficient computer processing. Recognition algorithms are the key elements of advanced information technologies.

In scientific terms, the chair is based on research laboratories of Institute of Mathematics named after S.L. Sobolev of the Siberian Branch of RAS, in particular on the laboratories of discrete analysis, mathematical models of decision-making and the laboratory of data analysis.