38 / GENERAL INFORMATION of materials at high rates of deformation. In addition to structural materials (such as metals, polymers, and composites), the Center is concerned with biological materials (bones and soft tissues) and with dynamic soil mechanics. The Center has established a coopera- tive arrangement with the University of Bucharest to enhance international cooperation and exchange of information and personnel. For information, address the Director, Center for Dynamic Plasticity, 231 Aero Building. CENTER FOR ECONOMETRICS AND DECISION SCIENCES The Center conducts theoretical and applied re- search in the areas of econometrics and decision sci- ences. It provides an organization to bring together faculty and students from a number of disciplines working in these areas through seminars and a discus- sion paper series. The Center serves as an avenue to attract to the University of Florida on a permanent or visiting basis, or for seminars, researchers with an in- ternational reputation in the areas of econometrics and decision sciences. The Center also acts as a budg- etary unit for faculty and graduate student research in these areas. For information write to the Director, Center for Econometrics and Decision Sciences, 301 Business Building. BUREAU OF ECONOMIC AND BUSINESS RESEARCH The Bureau is a service and research center within the College of Business Administration. Its activities are organized under three research programs: popu- lation, forecasting, and sample survey research. Grad- uate students are involved as research assistants in these programs. , The Bureau disseminates the results of its research' through a publication program. Bureau publications include Florida Statistical Abstract, BEBR Mono- graphs, The Florida Outlook, Population Studies, Flor- ida Estimates of Population, Economic Leaflets, and Building Permit Activity in Florida. For information, write the Director, Bureau of Economic and Business Research, 221 Matherly Hall. FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS AND MONETARY POLICY CENTER The Financial Institutions and Monetary Policy Center conducts research on management and public policy issues regarding financial intermediaries. Major emphasis is placed on analysis of the impact of the ec- onomic and regulatory environment on the financial sector and on the ability of the Federal Reserve to conduct effective monetary policy. The Center sponsors research studies by faculty and graduate students, sponsors doctoral dissertations, and conducts frequent seminars on these and related issues. For additional information, contact Director, Financial Institutions and Monetary Policy Center, 321 Business Building. FLORIDA ARCHITECTURE AND BUILDING RESEARCH CENTER As the research arm of the College of Architecture, the Center promotes, encourages, and coordinates re- search activities among the college's five academic disciplines: architecture, building construction, urban and regional planning, landscape architecture, and in- terior design. Principal current research interests of the Center include architectural acoustical modeling, codes for energy-efficient development, roofing, computer resource mapping, central city redevelop- ment, architectural preservation, and construction management. The Center maintains cooperative con- tacts with other departments on campus and with in- stitutions within the United States, Latin America, and the Caribbean Basin. For information write to the Di- rector, Florida Architecture and Building Research Center, 360 Architecture Building. FLORIDA INSURANCE RESEARCH CENTER The Florida Insurance Research Center (F.I.R.C.) focuses on the effects of economic and regulatory is- sues on both the Florida and the national insurance market. In this regard, scholarly research is conducted on insurance company operations as well as the needs of insurance consumers. The Center also sup- ports students through annual scholarships. Management of the Center is by its Director, and faculty from other colleges in the University are util- ized as the need arises. FLORIDA WATER RESOURCES RESEARCH CENTER The Center, funded by the Department of the In- terior, was established in 1964 as a result of the pas- sage of Public Law 88-379-The Water Resources Re- search Act of 1964-"to stimulate, sponsor, provide for, and supplement present programs for conduct of research, investigation, experiments, and the training of scientists in the fields of water and of resources which affect water." Under the administration of the Center, current water research projects pertaining to the achievement of adequate statewide water resource management and water quality and quantity are being conducted by faculty at the University of Florida and at other universities in the state. For information, write the Di- rector, Florida Water Resources Research Center, 424 A. P. Black Hall. CENTER FOR GERONTOLOGICAL STUDIES Through the Center for Gerontological Studies, stu- dents and faculty from diverse disciplines may study or conduct research in gerontology. Programs are developed both within and outside the University to benefit older persons and to de- velop career-related experiences for graduate and professional students. The Center for Gerontological Studies offers the Graduate Certificate in Gerontology for master's, specialist, and doctoral students in con- junction with graduate programs in a variety of dis- ciplines. Certificate requirements include a minimum of 12 hours in approved gerontology courses and a re- search project on an approved topic in gerontology. Graduate assistantships for students accepted into the Graduate Certificate in Gerontology program are available from the Center. The Center disseminates information derived from research on gerontology-related aspects of anthropol-