The computer science course started at Aarhus University in 1971 as part of Department of Mathematics.
During the period 1993-1998 the computer scientific subject area underwent rapid growth, and at the department the total number of staff members rose from 80 to 160, primarily because of an increase in external funding.
In the coming 5–6 years the department continuously moved more sections to new buildings as part of Aarhus University's plan to concentrate IT activities within the IT City Katrinebjerg.
Close working relations to other organizations within the IT City have been established, i.e. with Department of Aesthetics and Communication and the Alexandra Institute.
The area also hosts many IT companies as well as other institutes of education and is known as the IT City Katrinebjerg.