Visit GISIL at 243 Jessup Hall (JH)
The Geographical Information Systems Instructional Lab (GISIL) is GIS centric computer lab used to teach GIS, cartography, and remote sensing. The GISIL is equipped with 28 high-end workstations, each equipped with a secondary monitor to support this type of work. The lab also hosts instructional support technology and an array of special purpose peripherals and software (e.g., ArcGIS Desktop/Pro, Q-GIS, ENVI, GPS units, etc.). Laboratory TAs are on duty during some of the scheduled operational hours (including all evening hours) and course TAs monitor those times when classes meet in the lab.
When not in use for a class or trainings the lab is open for student use.
The GISIL also supports field‐based educational activities using mobile GIS software and hardware, LiDAR, multi-spectral and thermal imaging, R/C unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and a host of other technologies. These technologies are used to collect, edit and analyze data in the field, and are essential resources for both GISci and physical geography courses. When not in use for classes, the lab may also be used for GIS trainings, and to host visiting students who are considering a future at The University of Iowa. The Opportunity at Iowa program regularly brings high-school students in to look at the campus and the available facilities.
Please note that the lab will not be staffed at all times during the day (assistance may not be available at these times).
Lab schedule and access
The lab will be closed for the summer beginning May 11, 2024. It will re-open at the beginning of the Fall 2024 semester.
If you are not enrolled in a class which meets in GISIL, you may need to request access with the GIS Lab Access Request Form. Please note that it may take a few days to be granted access and you will NOT be notified. Plan accordingly.
Guidelines for behavior in the GISIL
These are to be considered basic guidelines for behavior in the lab. Following these simple rules will help ensure that the lab is functioning correctly. Failure to follow the rules can get your access to this space revoked.
If you are unsure whether a certain behavior is acceptable, just ask the TAs, Nick, or Adam.
- Try out new software, even if it doesn’t pertain to any classes you are taking.
- Start working on class project early in the semester, when resources are readily available.
- Ask questions! If you can’t get something to work, try the TAs, Nick, Adam, or your instructor.
- If you have suggestions for new software for the lab, comments about how things are running for you, or anything else that might improve the lab, please let us know.
- Submit papers/abstracts/posters for presentations. You’d be surprised how much you can learn from the experience. (Plus, it looks good on your resume!)
- Get involved. This could lead to involvement in research projects or even funding.
- If you require software that we do not have on the machines, contact the TAs, Nick or Adam.
- If you are the last person to leave the lab, turn off the lights and make sure the door is locked.
- Let us know if something is not working (e.g., CD-ROMs, the network, printers).
Doing the following will get your account removed from the lab.
- Installing software—Do not attempt to install any software on the lab machines. If you need something, please ask the TAs, Nick, or Adam.
- Storing your data locally on the computer—Store things on a network drive. Anything on the local machine may be deleted at any time. You may store things temporarily in the D: drive, but it will be deleted without notification.
- Opening e-mail attachments without checking their origin or scanning them for viruses
- Eating and drinking in the lab—We would prefer that you do neither in the lab, but if you have a drink with a sealed top, then you can have it if you set the drink on the floor.
- Letting friends/boyfriends/girlfriends/spouses/strangers into the lab to use the facilities—the lab is only for geography students.
- Loaning your lab key to another person
- Downloading pirated software, pornography (or viewing), viruses, trojans, or other questionable material
- Playing music too loudly—use headphones.
- Leaving books, papers, or other materials in the lab—they will be discarded if left long enough.
- Changing settings on the computer without asking
- Disrupting others using the lab
More information about school policies on IT resource use can be found in the University of Iowa's Operations Manual, Chapter 19: Acceptable Use of Information Technology Resources.
Have questions?
Nicholas Carino-Marek
