The history of computing at the University of Melbourne

Establishment of the Computation Laboratory

The establishment of the Computation Laboratory as a separate department was approved by the Vice-Chancellor Sir George Paton on 17 October 1955, making it one of the earliest computing departments in the world.

The laboratory was managed jointly by Dr Frank Hirst (Computation Laboratory), Professor Thomas Cherry (Mathematics), and Professor Leslie Martin (Physics).

CSIR Mk1 relocated to Melbourne and renamed CSIRAC

• Shipped to the University of Melbourne in 1955, recommissioned on 14 June 1956 as CSIRAC at the new Computation Laboratory, with that delicate project managed by long-time engineer Jurij Semkiw.
• Became the first computer in an Australian university, processing over 700  projects until decommissioning in 1964.

Computing education begins

• Academic courses in computing introduced soon after CSIRAC’s arrival.
• Computation Laboratory → Computation Department → Department of Information Science by the late 1960s within the Faculty of Science.

IBM mainframe acquired

• University acquires the IBM 7044/1401 mainframe computer, managed by the department until the creation of a separate Computer Centre in 1969.

First Chair in Computing

• Appointment of Professor Peter Poole as Foundation Chair. Poole was subsequently inducted into the Pearcey Hall of Fame in 2010.
• Poole was instrumental in the department adopting the UNIX operating system and acquiring the Interdata 8/32, the department's first powerful minicomputer.
• Department renamed Computer Science, sparking rapid staff recruitment and enrolment growth.

Macintosh labs and the first Australian link to US networks

• Department purchases Apple Macintosh computers for undergraduate  laboratories and develops technology to link them to larger computers.  Technology commercialised as Multigate and units sold to Apple in the US.
• Asynchronous dial-up connection to seismo in the US provides distribution of email and Usenet postings to/from the US
• Melbourne’s munnari.oz becomes the node linking ACSnet to US networks
• Enabled Australian researchers to exchange email internationally — a key step in modern internet development.

Internet and .au domains

• 1987-8: Domain name system is deployed globally, including .au domains (replacing earlier .oz)
• The University develops and manages the system for allocating all Australian domain names.

First TCP/IP Internet connection in Australia

• On 23 June 1989, the University of Melbourne linked to the University of  Hawaii, establishing Australia’s first TCP/IP internet connection.
• Pioneered by Professor Peter Poole and Robert Elz.

Computer Science joins Engineering

• The Department of Computer Science became part of the Faculty of Engineering and joined the Department of Electrical Engineering to form the School of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering (later, School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, SEECS)
• Introduced Software Engineering stream of the Bachelor of Engineering; later added a standalone Bachelor of Computer Science and a range of combined degrees, including with science, law, and commerce.

Purpose-built premises

• Computer Science moved into the SITEE/SEECS building at 207 Bouverie Street under the stewardship of then Head, Associate Professor Peter Thorne (awarded a Mamber of the Order of Australia in 2020 for his long-term contributions to the Australian computing industry)

Department of Information Systems founded

• Established under Professor Mike Vitale in the Faculty of Science, focusing on business and applied computing.
• Launched the Bachelor of Information Systems, postgraduate, and research programs.

Department renamed CSSE

• Department of Computer Science renamed Computer Science and Software Engineering (CSSE) to reflect software engineering growth.

Move to ICT Building

• Computer Science and Information Systems departments co-located in the ICT Building, 111 Barry Street.
• The coursework Master of Information Technology degree introduced

Robert Elz inducted into Pearcey Foundation Hall of Fame

• Recognised for pioneering Australia’s internet and domain management, continuing Trevor Pearcey’s legacy in Australian computing.

The Melbourne Model reforms

• Whole-of-University curriculum redesigned under VC Professor Glyn Davis and Provost Professor Peter McPhee.
• Standalone Bachelor of Computer Science, Bachelor of Information Systems, combined degrees, and Bachelor of Engineering phased out
• Emphasis shifted to masters-level degree for professional graduate education.

IT program reviews

• Internal and external reviews recommended joining the Department of Computer Science and Software Engineering and the Department of Information Systems.

Formation of the Department of Computing and Information Systems (CIS)

• Merger of CSSE and IS departments into one Department, under the Melbourne School of Engineering.
• Melbourne School of Information founded as a graduate school.
• CIS moved into Doug McDonell Building in May 2012.

Department becomes School

• Department of Computing and Information Systems renamed the School of Computing and Information Systems.

MSE renamed to FEIT

• Melbourne School of Engineering renamed to the Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology. The change represents and formally acknowledges the discipline of computing science and information technology.

CIS expands into Melbourne Connect

• Established a major presence at Melbourne Connect, the University’s new innovation precinct linking research, teaching, and industry.