The Computer Science Department of the University of Crete operates since 1984, historically the second Computer Science Department to operate in Greece. The Computer Science Department belongs to the School of Sciences and Engineering, which operates in Heraklion. The School was founded as School of Physical & Mathematical Sciences in 1973 and renamed as the School of Science in 1984. The Department of Computer Sciences was established in 1983. In FEK 388 / 5.7.83 was conversion and distribution of vacancies at the University of Crete and was first given to the Department of Computer Science 13 faculty positions.

The graduate program of the Department began operating in 1985 as "Master Program in Computer Science". In 1992 all postgraduate studies in Greece were organized under N2083 / 1992 (FEK159 / A / 21.09.1992) Chapter V "Graduate Studies" which replaced Article 81 of Law 1566/1985 and was based on Postgraduate Studies Regulation of the Department, on the proposal of the Department to the Ministry of Education for the modernization of postgraduate studies in Greece. From February 1994 works with the Senate and after approval of the program by the Ministry of Education (FEK 866 / 11.26.93). In 2003 (FEK1694 / vol.B '/ 11.19.2003) renewed operation of the Postgraduate Studies Program and the academic year 2014-2015 operates on the revised Postgraduate Studies Program (PSP) entitled "Science and Computer Engineering”.

The Department gradually staffed by excellent scientists. The Computer Science Department elected the first faculty in 1981 and became operational in 1984 so accepted and the first undergraduates. In February 1985 the postgraduate program was established. Today the department has twenty-one (21) Professors and regularly hosts academic scholars as visiting faculty professors.

At thirty-two (32) years of operation has developed and implemented a modern curriculum. Today, a significant contribution to higher education in our country in science and computer technology issues are recognized by educational work at the undergraduate and graduate level, with quality acclaimed internationally.

The Department even since its establishment, had a strong research orientation. Since the inception of the Department works closely with the Institute of Computer Science (ICS) of the Foundation for Research and Technology Hellas (FORTH). This cooperation, which continues today, creates an excellent environment for research and education. The research of the Department now enjoys international recognition. Members of the Department throughout the history of the Department and even more today, hold important international collaborations with leading academic and research institutions and also with industry in areas of crucial interest.

The Department is recognized today as one of the top departments in computer science in the country. See more on Evaluations page.


Names of Heads of the department in chronological order
 

Academic Years	Head
1983 (Establishment of the department)	Dionyssis Tsichritzis, acting Head
1984-1989 (4 years)	Stelios Orphanoudakis, acting Head
1989-1990	21/11/1989 Autonomy of the Department and Appointment of first Head, Stelios Orphanoudakis
1990-1994 (4 years)	Stelios Orphanoudakis
1994-1996 (2 years)	Manolis Katevenis
1996-1998 (2 years)	Panos Constantopoulos
1998-2000 (2 years)	Manolis Katevenis
2000-2002 (2 years)	Apostolos Traganitis
2002-2004 (2 years)	George Tziritas
2004-2006 (2 years)	Panagiotis Tsakalides
2006-2010 (4 years)	Dimitris Plexousakis
2010-2014 (4 years)	Panos Trahanias
2014-2016 (2 years)	Panagiotis Tsakalides
2016-2020 (4 years)	Angelos Bilas
2020-2024 (4 years)	Antonis Argyros
2024-2025	Kostas Magoutis

MEMBERS OF THE TEACHING AND RESEARCH STAFF HAVING SERVED IN THE DEPARTMENT
 

a/a	NAME/SURNAME	RANK	PERIOD
1	Nikolaos Alvertos	Assist. Professor	1992 - 1998
2	Grigoris Antoniou	Professor	2002 - 2012
3	Yannis Vasileiou	Professor	1987 - 1993
4	Georgios Georgakopoulos	Assoc. Professor	1993 - 2024
5	Athanasios Kambourelis †	Professor	1982 - 1998
6	Manolis Katevenis	Emeriti Professor	1988 - 2023
7	Costas Courcoubetis	Professor	1989 - 1999
8	Panagiotis Costantopoulos	Professor	1986 - 2003
9	Athanasios Mouchtaris	Assoc. Professor	2008 - 2021
10	Christos Nikolaou †	Professor	1992 - 2015
11	Dimitris Nikolopoulos	Assoc. Professor	2009 - 2012
12	Stelios Orphanoudakis †	Professor	1984 - 2005
13	Mema Roussopoulou	Assist. Professor	2005 - 2009
14	Dimitrios Serpanos	Assoc. Professor	1996 - 2000
15	Georgios Stamoulis	Assist. Professor	1995 - 2000
16	Constantinos Stephanides	Professor	1999 - 2024
17	Vasileios Siris	Assist. Professor	2002 - 2009
18	Christos Sotiriou	Assoc. Professor	2010 - 2014
19	Georgios Tziritas	Emeriti Professor	1992 - 2021
20	Apostolos Traganitis	Emeriti Professor	1987 - 2014
21	Dennis Tsichritzis	Professor	1983 - 2008
22	Christos Chamzas	Assist. Professor	1988 - 1990
23	Aikaterini Chousti	Professor	1987 - 2002
24	Vasilis Christophides	Professor	2001 - 2021