Department of Computer Science and Information Technology facilities
The Department of Computer Science and Information Technology has state-of-the-art computer laboratories for programming, networking, data science and cybersecurity, located at La Trobe’s Melbourne and Bendigo campuses.
Our laboratories are equipped with the latest technology and software to support our industry-relevant subject content. They are designed so that students can work individually or in groups, develop their teamwork and problem-solving skills, while learning new technologies. All systems are accessible 24 hours a day in a secure environment.
Most of our systems are also accessible online, from anywhere in the world, with no specialised software needed.
Our facilities are also used for research collaborations with industry in the areas of artificial intelligence, data science and immersive interactive design.
Our facilities include:
This suite of four laboratories (three in Bundoora, one in Bendigo) were jointly established by Cisco and La Trobe, featuring more than 300 switches, routers, wireless controllers, 802.11AX access points and firewalls. They are fully reconfigurable.
The laboratories allow students to create a small network consisting of two switches and a router, or a large-scale network using all the hardware in the laboratory. Students build competencies in complex network design, performance of various routing protocols, implementing and testing corporate security policies and their performance issues, and wireless site design.
This teaching laboratory was opened in 2019 at La Trobe's Bundoora campus. It features 32 workstations and a server hosting advanced intrusion detection software, network and system forensic tools, and penetration testing tools.
This laboratory features industry-standard forensic tools, intelligent honeypot systems and penetration testing tools. Students build competencies in intrusion detection and prevention, securing wireless infrastructure through defensive and offensive testing, and testing corporate security policies and their performance issues.
This laboratory, based at La Trobe’s Bundoora campus, hosts final year undergraduate and postgraduate students undertaking industry-based and applied research projects. The 83 square metre laboratory is equipped with 36 Dell Desktop and Apple iMacs and a wide range of current software. Industry projects are the apex of our degree programs and this laboratory supports students along their capstone journey.
Developing solutions with industry requires up-to-date hardware and software. It's mirrored in this laboratory, giving students relevant experience that is transferable to their graduate careers. The laboratory is used for both guided project support in consultation with academics and for team-based project work conducted in out-of-class hours.
This laboratory based at La Trobe’s Bendigo campus is equipped with the latest Internet of Things devices, communication networks (LoRa, LoraWAN, 5G, NB-IOT, CAT-M1, HALO), radio equipment and access to cloud based technologies, such as Amazon Web Services.
The laboratory provides a unique opportunity for students to experiment with the latest Internet of Things technologies and apply their subject learning to practice. Students build competencies in Internet of Things device programming, networking communications, protocols and cloud computing allowing them to create end-to-end solutions.
This laboratory was jointly established by Oracle Academy and La Trobe at the University’s Bundoora campus. The 86 square metre facility features Oracle Academy resources and supports students to undertake Java or Oracle database-related projects.
The laboratory has many innovations to support student learning including its group-oriented layout, where students work collaboratively and share their knowledge using A/V projections to their team or the whole class. Another feature of this laboratory is the drop-in nature of the computing resources. Students can integrate their own devices into the laboratory environment or use the provided mobile devices to develop, test and demonstrate outcomes.
This laboratory was jointly established by Pivot Maritime International and La Trobe to investigate improvements to maritime training simulation and decision support. The laboratory is located at the University’s Bundoora campus and is equipped with 360-degrees high quality maritime simulators that are integrated with a range of industry-standard equipment and simulation sensors. These simulators are used for a range of purposes including training, feasibility studies, and research and development.
Research focuses on realistic maritime simulation with a focus on automated ship navigation. The laboratory is also used to develop solutions for maritime training and on deck navigation support including navigation rules (Colregs), visualisation for accident prediction and avoidance, ship movement risk management and analysis, 3D graphics for realistic simulation and optimised vessel traffic management.
Find out more about the facility.
We have seven computer laboratories at Bundoora campus where students can build competencies in programming and coding. Programming and coding labs are also available at Bendigo campus. Practical experience is at the core of our degree offerings, the computer laboratories are purpose-built to facilitate communication between student and academic, and peer-learning among the class cohort.
These new facilities feature immersive audio-visual capabilities that enhance the student experience and offer true technology assisted learning. Students across our degree programs have 24/7 access to these facilities both for scheduled classes and out-of-session project and assignment work.
This laboratory, based at La Trobe’s Bendigo campus, aims to translate research and practice into multi-disciplinary projects that make a difference in agriculture, health, industry 4.0 and smart cities. The laboratory hosts undergraduate and postgraduate final year projects and research projects including Higher Degrees by Research.
The laboratory features three infrastructure platforms: an Internet of Things platform which explores new and innovative wireless technologies, protocols and applications in this emerging field; a social robotics platform which supports our research strength in human robot interaction in telehealth, healthcare, wellbeing and education; and a rapid prototyping platform that enables hands-on innovation through open-source hardware, software, design and manufacturing. This platform also supports the other platforms, facilitating the creation of new Internet of Things, robotic tools and hardware designs.
Find out more about the laboratory.