Spatial Computing Lab
The Geography and Environmental Studies Spatial Computing Lab (SCL) is located in Room 106, in Bandelier East Hall (which is building number 008 on the main campus map).
For the Spring 2026 semester, the spatial computing lab is be open various timeframes Monday through Saturday and can be accessed using either of the main buildings entrance doors (the lab is closest to the buildings East entrance). To access the lab for it's open availability timeframes on Saturday's you need to make sure to enter the building via its entrance door on the East side of the building (as the west side door is typically kept lock for security purposes).
There are general use/open lab hours availability each day that are designated in Green on its availability schedule which can be viewed/downloaded by clicking here (.pdf). In addition, while utilizing the lab, in order to ensure the health and safety of the labs numerous users we request that all lab patrons adhere to the labs usage guidelines which can be viewed by clicking here (.pdf).
For the Spring 2026 Semester the lab will be closed on the below listed days:
Holiday: MLK Day (Monday January 19th, 2026)
Sprin Break 2026 Lab Usage Availability Days/Hours are as follows:
Monday March 16th - 9am to 5pm
Tuesday March 17th - 9am to 6pm
Wednesday March 18th - 9am to 5pm
Thursday March 19th - 9am to 6pm
Friday March 20th - 9am to 6pm
Saturday March 21st - CLOSED
Do you need assistance with completing your GIS coursework or help with utilizing the GIS software in the lab?
If so, then help is available to you throughout the Spring and Fall semesters. All you need to do is come into the lab during it's open availability hours listed below during which TA/GA's office hours are hosted in the lab (which are designated in Blue/Green on the labs schedule).
Spring 2026 - TA’s Office Hours & Locations
TBD (the TA office hours are tyoically determined/posted within two to three weeks after the semster starts)
In addition to using the lab on campus you can also access a majority of our lab systems software applications through UNM's remote environment called LoboVirtualDesktop.
The use of LoboVirtualDesktop (https://lobovirtualdesktop.unm.edu/) allows you twenty-four hour, secure access to UNM computer applications from your personal computer or other web-enabled devices. Which for the use of you do not need to install the applications on your personal device, and you do not need to own specialized hardware.
In order to use the virtual desktop, you must have internet access and utilize the program called Omnissa Horizon Client to access it. In addition, to get the best performance you will need to use a high speed internet connection. If you are using a lower-speed connection you may experience significant delays when using many of Lobo Virtual Desktop applications. It also needs to be mentioned that if you are using a Macintosh computer, some of LoboVirtualDesktop applications may not function correctly. To setup your computer to use LoboVirtualDesktop please refer to the LoboVirtualDesktop website resource (which includes with the required program download link and the connection server setting) here.
Once you have sucessfully conected to our departments custom Lobo Virtual Desktop environment it will enable you to run common and specialized software used for GIS related work, such as: Adobe Creative Cloud suite of programs, Mircosoft Office suite of programs, Arc Pro, TerrSet LiberaGIS, ENVI 6.2, R, R Studio, QGIS, Anaconda, Python, MultiSpec, PyScripter and Visual Studio Code, all with very minimal setup. With that said, though it should be mentioned that due to licensing requirements/restrictions some specific types of GIS software (i.e., GeoCart 3) they can only be accessed/utilized from physically within the lab on one of its systems.
To gain access to the GES department's remote environment (if your not automatically granted access to it) please email your instructor/TA requesting to be granted access to it or email the Spatial Computing Lab's manager directly requesting it. After which once you have been granted access to the remote environment you'll be able to conduct your GIS coursework remotely in place of doing it physically in the lab.
The usage of the GoldSim software in the lab is graciously donated once a year for academic use by GoldSim Simulation Software.
