The Computational Research Support Unit (CRSU) was established in 2005 to assist researchers in the Faculty to meet their computational needs in a context, where e-Research is playing an increasingly vital role.

CRSU aims to provide support for research activities that are:

• data-intensive
• compute-intensive
• require computational modelling of a mathematical or statistical nature

CRSU support activities currently include the provision of:

• advice on available software
• a reference point for advice on quantitative modelling
• local specialist infrastructure support
• local support for external computational services such as the peak regional and national facilities available respectively at the Australian Consortium for Advanced Computing and Communication (ac3) and the Australian Partnership for Advanced Computing (APAC)
• user education and training in specific tools, including expert training in scripting languages and software usage.

The first two major scientific enterprises that CRSU has supported since its inception in mid-2005, have been in the areas of bioinformatics and geographic information systems. CRSU anticipates that computational research support needs will expand as e-Research activities grow within the Faculty, and CRSU look forward to responding to this challenge.

The Unit is directed by Dr Tim Langtry and Dr. Graziella Caprarelli (Deputy Director).