Students and faculty have more consistent access to MATLAB on and off campus

NATICK, Mass., Dec. 14 -- The University of Mississippi has implemented a campus-wide license of MATLAB and several other technical computing products from The MathWorks. The license gives students and faculty access to MATLAB in their labs and classrooms and off-campus, helping them with research and preparation for careers in engineering and the sciences.

University officials recognized that integrating MATLAB into the curriculum with a campus-wide license would support faculty efforts to help students build skills with tools commonly used in engineering fields, said Atef Elsherbeni, associate dean for research and graduate programs in the UM School of Engineering. The license also enables lab researchers to access the tools they need in order to help secure grant projects.

"As engineering and science programs become more competitive, universities must provide students of all levels with consistent instruction in the advanced technology used by future employers," said Maureen Maher, manager of education marketing at The MathWorks. "With broad access to MATLAB and companion MathWorks tools, the University of Mississippi can use a common technical computing language across multiple courses, projects and departments. Students can build upon skills learned in one course or project, as they move to the next one."

By purchasing a standardized license of MATLAB, the university can centrally manage its license. This approach reduces administrative and technical costs within academic departments, such as time spent fielding helpdesk calls from students attempting to access MATLAB from home or through the university network.

"The decision to adopt a campus-wide MATLAB license was a collaborative effort between faculty members, administrators, department heads and IT personnel, all of whom recognized the value of universal MATLAB access to address their respective interests," Elsherbini said.

Jason Hale, interim director of the Mississippi Center for Supercomputing Research, concurs.

"In today's economic environment, the University of Mississippi, along with other public institutions of higher learning in Mississippi, is looking for more efficient models to enhance research infrastructure while creating amazing learning experiences for students," Hale said. "Means- and needs-based, voluntary pooling of departmental funds for site licensing of specific tools such as MATLAB, brokered and supported by centralized IT, tears down barriers to access across the entire institution, while decreasing institutional cost per unit."

MathWorks products are fundamental teaching and research tools used by the world's leading universities and learning institutions. The MathWorks also supports student competitions that provide students with practical experience overcoming complex engineering challenges. For more information about The MathWorks in academia, visit www.mathworks.com/academia.

About the University of Mississippi

The University of Mississippi is building on more than 160 years of leadership and innovation in education, research and service to strengthen the economic, social and cultural foundations of the state and region. UM is a doctoral degree-granting university with 15 academic divisions on the Oxford and Jackson campuses. Its research enterprise -- including programs in acoustics, atmospheric physics, health care, remote sensing, Southern studies, space law and pharmaceutical sciences -- is renowned internationally.

About The MathWorks

The MathWorks is the leading developer of mathematical computing software. MATLAB, the language of technical computing, is a programming environment for algorithm development, data analysis, visualization, and numeric computation. Simulink is a graphical environment for simulation and Model-Based Design of multidomain dynamic and embedded systems. Engineers and scientists worldwide rely on these product families to accelerate the pace of discovery, innovation, and development in automotive, aerospace, electronics, financial services, biotech-pharmaceutical, and other industries. MathWorks products are also fundamental teaching and research tools in the world's universities and learning institutions. Founded in 1984, The MathWorks employs more than 2,100 people in 15 countries, with headquarters in Natick, Mass. For additional information, visit www.mathworks.com.

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Source: The MathWorks