Introduction to EC/CSE (SDSU PSFA)
Introduction to the Education Center on Computational Science &
Engineering
Presented to the College of Professional Studies & Fine Arts Chairs
PSFA-212 SDSU - 3/12/98 10:30am
Enhancing Undergraduate Curricula with High Performance Computing Tools
and Technologies for the California State University System and the National
Education Community
National Science Foundation's Division of Advanced Scientific Computing
made five year awards supporting two High Performance Computing (HPC) Centers
in San Diego (www.npaci.edu) and Champaign-Urbana
(alliance.ncsa.uiuc.edu ),
to build the national infrastructure in HPC through partnerships.
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What is the mission of the EC/CSE?
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Foster the incorporation of high performance research tools for scientific
investigation into the undergraduate curriculum to better prepare learners
for post-Baccalaureate activities where
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collaborative, interdisciplinary teams,
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sophisticated computer tools, and
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effective communication among the team members and with others
are used in research and problem solving.
Overview of the
National Partnership for Advanced Computing Infrastructure:
NPACI (www.npaci.edu/Partners/partner.html) is an association of 39
universities and research centers from
18 states, with SDSC as the leading edge site.<
The San Diego Supercomputer Center (SDSC) conducts and supports activities
in computational science,
a third fundamental method for conducting scientific research (in addition
to laboratory experimentation and theoretical investigation). Computational
Science is defined as using computers (in this context, high performance
computers) and related computing technologies (such as applications software,
high speed networking, scientific visualization technologies, and large
data storage systems) to visualize, analyze, and simulate natural and social
phenomena.
Topics of Interest to PSFA
Examples of projects underway at the EC/CSE
Short descriptions
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Java and VRML resources for educators (Xiangwei Li, Wai Lee, Phil Deacon, Jason Tate, Amde Mitiku)
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Java-based instructional interface and analytical extension for Protein
Data Base (PDB) developed at SDSC
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Testbed for distance learning collaboratory techniques [Tango, NetMeeting,
Habanero, ...]. (X. Li)
- "Virtual Professor" Distance Learning in computationally intensive courses
(I. Zaslavsky)
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Group learning in Supercomputing instruction: (K. Stewart)
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Problem-based learning in computational programming instruction. (K. Stewart)
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HPC Biology resources for SDSU and other CSU campuses. (soon)
Examples of collaborations already formed by EC/CSE
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vBNS
proposal coordinated by CSU Chancellor's office. Participatation by SDSU,
CalPoly Pomona, and CSU/SB within the CSU (currently under negotiation)
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Collaboratory use of GIS over the Internet in instruction (together with
NPAC - Syracuse, Dr. Geoffrey Fox), and the experiment in distance
teaching of GIS and spatial analysis (EC/CSE, SDSU
to Geography, WMU, on-going)
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NSF proposal by Doug Deutschman (SDSU Biology), on chaparral ecosystem
simulation modeling and visualization with the SORTIE-like
model (with interfaces tuned to student exploration, in particular) - involves
EC/CSE (January 1998)
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Industrial partnership
with Mathworks (MATLAB, which now
has MapTools) (November 1997)
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National Endowment for the Humanities proposal with Dr. Bob Hoffman (SDSU
Ed Tech) on using VRML to simulate the California mission so that 4th grade
students can become docents of the mission and conduct virtual tours. (October
1997)
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EC/CSE was client in SDSU's ET 644 Instructional Design course (Roxanna
Springer & Lance Larson) (Fall 1997); the methodology of "bridging
environments" for high performance computing instruction is further explored
in
CS205
"Computational programming and visualziation" taught by Stewart
this Spring
The suggested mechanism of collaboration with CSU faculty
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The Education Center staff (Dr. Kris Stewart, Dr. Ilya Zaslavsky and Ms.
Dolores Candelario) have prepared descriptions
of the opportunities that SDSC and the NPACI offer to the nation,
with a focus on identifying opportunities to enhance undergraduate education
(accessible from Ed. Center web pages)
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The NPACI "all-hands" meeting (early January'98) brought together
all NPACI partners, to identify collaborations between institutions in
both research and outreach activities, in particular focused on molecular
biology, neurosciences, collaborative environments, etc.
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The presentations and workshops can be followed by individual
collaboration with faculty on selected projects related to undergraduate
teaching. To date, we have presented at the CSU
GIS Committee meeting (in addition to numerous presentations at SDSU),
and to CSU
Math and Computer Science Chairs meeting; we are scheduled to present
to Social Science Research Instructional Council (SSRIC).
We have also presented to SDSU departments of Biology
and Geology.
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Graduate and undergraduate student assistants are available to help faculty
and their instructional support staff with educational projects related
to high-performance computing in the undergraduate curriculum.
Computer time at SDSC
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Computer time is available from the remaining SDSU Block Grant of time
on the Cray T90 (vector supercomputer) and Cray T3E (parallel supercomputer).
This can be obtained by submitting a short application
(www.rohan.sdsu.edu/0520Cray.pdf)
designed for start-up investigations (maximum 5 hours of Cray T90 time).
October 1 signaled the start of NPACI and no new time will be allocated
to the SDSU Block Grant. NPACI
Resources are allocated quarterly. Education applications are looked
upon favorably when on an appropriate platform; research applications are
peer-reviewed. A first time, 50 hour allocation, can be obtained through
the expedited review process, submitted anytime.
Information about us:
What can the EC/CSE do for you?
Dr. Kris Stewart (stewart@sdsu.edu), Director
Dr. Ilya Zaslavsky (zaslavsk@rohan.sdsu.edu), GIS Staff Scientist
Education Center on Computational Science & Engineering
San Diego State University, Love Library Addition, Rm 73
www.edcenter.sdsu.edu