Science & Technology | LSU Information Technology

Information Technology

Supercomputer | SMART LAB | I.T. Residential College
Videoconferencing Capabilities | LSU CAPITAL

Governor Mike Foster visited campus to see the new technology at work

LSU students and faculty are benefitting from Governor M.J. “Mike” Foster’s information technology (I.T.) initiative that provides state funds to boost the technology available at LSU. This legislative funding proves the commitment state leaders have to bringing the latest technology to LSU, Louisiana’s flagship university.

The I.T. initiative seeks to thrust LSU’s teaching and research capabilities into the high-tech world while promoting economic development. By improving technology in the classroom, LSU can better prepare its students to enter the modern, I.T.-intensive workplace. With better technology in campus labs, the University can focus research enterprises on I.T.-related fields of discovery.

The I.T. initiative’s funding has already proven beneficial. The new technology acquired in 2001–02 includes LSU’s supercomputer, SMART Lab, I.T. Residential College in Graham Hall, and state-of-the-art videoconferencing equipment.

Supercomputer

LSU’s world-class supercomputer will significantly raise the University’s I.T. visibility, particularly in science and engineering technology research. SuperMike, as the supercomputer is called, is the second-fastest computer in the academic world and among the fastest computers in the world. SuperMike is a general-purpose, parallel supercomputer that can be used to help solve a wide variety of challenging science and engineering problems.

Sumanta Acharya, professor of mechanical engineering, is using SuperMike to conduct research in computational fluid dynamics. Before LSU acquired SuperMike, Acharya was faced with using a supercomputer center shared by researchers nationwide. Because of the volume of users, turnaround on jobs was slow, and the number of calculations performed were limited.

Acharya

“SuperMike has been a godsend,” Acharya says. “It has radically altered the time frame in which we can get large simulations performed.”

“The facility has allowed me to retain and attract some outstanding researchers,” he added. “I believe it (SuperMike) will open new opportunities in research funding and the nature of the research problems we can address.”

SMART Lab

The new Securities Markets Analysis Research and Trading (SMART) Lab within the E. J. Ourso College of Business Administration is a simulated interactive trading floor. The lab’s high-tech equipment allows students to gain on-the-job-style training in the fast-paced world of securities analysis, research, and trading. LSU is one of a small group of universities with this technology; even more rare is the fact that the SMART Lab is state funded. The facility offers exposure to financial concepts such as portfolio construction, risk management, and financial engineering.

Jennifer Rayburn

Jennifer Rayburn, a finance M.B.A. student, sees the benefits of having the SMART Lab at LSU.

“I believe the impact of the SMART Lab will be two-fold,” Rayburn said. “First, the hands-on, practical training in securities analysis, trading, and investment research will make LSU students more marketable in the job search arena. Second, the high-quality graduates will attract more financial services companies to the state, allowing students to start careers at home in Louisiana.”

I.T. Residential College

By creating a high-tech learning and living environment for today’s tech savvy students, LSU has become one of a handful of universities to offer a residential education program centered around information technology. The I.T. Residential College in Graham Hall provides a unique opportunity for incoming freshmen to take specially designed courses that emphasize hands-on activities and many computer applications and technologies while living together in Graham Hall.

The I.T. Residential College features two SMART classrooms (Shared Multimedia Access to Resources for Teaching). These state-of-the-art learning halls create new opportunities in teaching and learning by integrating computer, multimedia, and network technology, all in a wireless environment.

Adam French

Adam French, an LSU freshman from Mandeville, Louisiana, said that the I.T. Residential College gives students a better sense of community and collaboration.

“The technology of the SMART classroom really improves learning,” French said. “I can communicate with my teachers and classmates easier and collaborate on projects far more efficiently than I could without it.”

Videoconferencing capabilities

LSU’s digital network can now support high-quality videoconferencing sessions with up to 70 simultaneous users, thanks to the new multipoint conferencing unit (MCU) purchased with I.T. initiative funding. The primary purpose of the MCU is to allow users to see all other participants simultaneously on their computer monitors. LSU researchers can now collaborate “face-to-face” with others around the world, and instructors can teach courses from LSU while broadcasting to other campuses across the country.

Elizabeth Dow, assistant professor in the School of Library and Information Science, is using the new equipment to offer a class to students at universities across the Southeast.

According to Dow, because of the new videoconferencing equipment and a grant from the Institute for Library and Museum Services, LSU has joined forces with Auburn University, Georgia College and State University, the University of Kentucky, and the University of South Carolina to develop an 18-credit program in archival education. The classes will be taught using compressed video, allowing all campuses to share students and classes.

Elizabeth Dow

“LSU’s investment in teleconferencing equipment has made it possible for my students to get a much richer education than I could offer them without this collaboration. Further, we expect this collaboration may serve as a model for other niches of academic and professional studies,” Dow said.

LSU CAPITAL

LSU continues to acquire the technological capabilities to be a university on the cutting edge of research and education through appropriated funds from Governor Foster’s information technology initiative. LSU CAPITAL (the Center for Applied Information Technology and Learning) is charged with overseeing and distributing LSU’s I.T. funds. An external advisory panel composed of national industry and university experts with visionary leadership in the I.T. arena will provide additional guidance.

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Written by Moira Parker | University Relations
Last updated January 2003