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 Fall 2025 semester, the spatial computing lab will 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).
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).
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 Fall 2025 Semester the lab will be closed on the below listed days:
Holiday: Labor Day (Monday September 1st, 2025)
Holiday: Thanksgiving Break (Thursday through Saturday November 27th to 29th, 2025)
Winter Break: (Wednesday December 24th to January 2nd, 2026)
Fall Break 2025 Lab Usage Availability Days/Hours Are As Follows:
Thursday 10/09 from 9am to 5pm
Friday 10/10 from 9am to 5pm
Saturday 10/11 = 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).
Fall 2025 - TA’s Office Hours & Locations
TBD (typically office hours are set by the first to second week of each semester)
In addition to using the lab on campus you can also access a majority of our lab systems software applications through UNM's remote system 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 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 6.1, R, R Studio, QGIS, Anaconda, Python, MultiSpec,PyScripter and Visual Studio Code, all with very minimal setup.
To gain access to the GES department's remote environment please email your instructor/advisor requesting to be granted access to it or email the Spatial Computing Lab's manager 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.
With that said, though it should be mentioned that due to licensing requirements/restrictions some specific types of GIS software (i.e., GeoCart 3) can only be accessed/utilized from physically within the lab.
