Geographical Information Systems Instructional Lab (GISIL)

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 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 Pro, Q-GIS, ENVI, GPS units, etc.). Beginning Fall 2026, the lab will be accessible via keycard access and TAs will no longer be on duty.

When not in use for a class or trainings the lab is open for student use. Review the lab schedule.

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.

GISIL will not have a TA on staff for questions.
The instructional machine is off limits to students.

Trowbridge Hall 20:
Beginning Fall 2025 the GISIL will have a secondary lab option. Trowbridge Hall #20 (TH20) hosts similar machine configurations and identical software to the GISIL. If this better fits your needs it is open daily during the same hours as the GISIL, except, there are no classes in TH20. If you are enrolled in a GIS course or a student in SEES you will already have keycard access.

TH20 will not have a TA on staff for questions
TH20 does have Solstice enabled large format displays for use in collaborative projects. Students may use Solstice for their work.

For info: https://teach.its.uiowa.edu/learning-spaces-technology/solstice

Lab schedule and access

Schedule: The GISIL is open when classes are in-session.

Access: If you are a SEES major or enrolled in a course that meets in GISIL you will be granted access at the beginning of the semester. If not, you may 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.

Fall 2026 GISIL schedule

Monday

8:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. (open)
10:30 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. (SEES:3500)
11:45 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. (open)
12:30 p.m. - 1:45 p.m. (SEES:3050)
2:00 p.m. - 3:15 p.m. (SEES:3520)
3:15 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. (open)

Tuesday

8:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. (open)
12:30 p.m. - 2:20 p.m. (SEES:4500)
2:20 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. (open)

Wednesday

8:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. (open)
10:30 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. (SEES:3500)
11:45 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. (open)
12:30 p.m. - 1:45 p.m. (SEES:3050)
2:00 p.m. - 3:15 p.m. (SEES:3520)
3:15 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. (open)
5:00 p.m. - 6:50 p.m. (SEES:2050)
6:50 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. (open)

Thursday

8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. (open)
9:00 a.m. - 10:50 a.m. (SEES:2050)
11:00 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. (SEES:4150)
12:30 p.m. - 2:20 p.m. (SEES:4500)
2:20 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. (open)

Friday

8:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. (open)
10:30 a.m. - 12:20 p.m. (SEES:2050)
12:30 p.m. - 2:20 p.m. (SEES:2050)
2:20 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. (open)

Saturday and Sunday

8:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. (open)

Guidelines for behavior in the GISIL

Please help us keep GISL and TH20 tidy and clean!

No food or uncovered drinks are allowed in the GIS labs.
If you make a mess (any mess) please clean up after yourself.
If a computer is not working properly, please report it immediately (See below)
Throw away (or recycle) your trash.
Refrain from talking on your cell phones.

These are considered the basic guidelines for behavior in the lab/s. 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 or have any issues with the space please contact Adam Skibbe and Chun Hang (Henry) Chan.

Encouraged behavior

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).

Discouraged behavior

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, or 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

University policies

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.

View UI Operations Manual