1970s-1980s

Faculty during this time reported an emphasis on individual research and publication in addition to teaching. In 1984 the university founded the Supercomputer Computations Research Institute (SCRI) with the support of the U.S. Department of Energy. SCRI led the nation in the first supercomputing program jointly driven by government, industry, and university. The supercomputer’s ability to model ocean currents and molecular structure, forecast weather patterns, and quickly solve complicated equations drew scientists from across the United States to reserve time with the machine. The University responded to the increasing need for a dedicated science library in 1988 with the opening of the Paul A.M. Dirac Science Library, named after the Nobel Laureate and FSU physics professor.