Facilities

EAST Lab

CAST labs are available for use by U of A students, faculty, and staff for research and instruction.  CAST labs are intended for Geospatial-related use, and are not general access computer labs. Access must be requested by submitting a CAST Lab Access Request. Students enrolled in courses meeting in these labs will automatically be given access for that semester.

A large student server is located in JBHT and is connected to desktop systems via 1 GB homeruns. JBHT backbone speeds are 10 GB. Lab users may request disk space as needed for their research by emailing help@cast.uark.edu. Classes using extensive disk assets (e.g. remote sensing etc.) may need additional server spaces required and should contact the CAST IT staff to make sure the appropriate space has been set-up prior to the beginning of the semester.

If you require assistance with a CAST lab, please consult the Frequently Asked Questions, or submit a CAST Help Ticket.

All lab users are to abide by the University's Code of Computing Practices.

Geospatial Teaching Labs I & II (JBHT 228 & 231)

CAST Geospatial Teaching Labs feature specialized software and hardware needed for complex multidisciplinary spatial processing. These labs are used by many departments across campus and support on average 300 students per semester for course and research work. When classes are not actively in session, the labs are available 24/7 for studying and research for students who are enrolled in classes meeting in these spaces, or with permission from appropriate faculty or staff.

All systems are part of the UA General Computer Lab (GACL) domain and users can access their home directories and disks from any machine.

Classroom Amenities:

  • Large projector and screen with four simultaneous 50" displays in each corner of the room.
  • Shared access to color and black and white printers, located in JBHT 229.
  • Pre-installed software that support the instructional requirements of spatial learning. Additional software may be installed based on class needs. A full suite of GIS, GPS and Remote Sensing software are provided on these classroom machines including ArcGIS, Erdas, Trimble Pathfinder Office, and more.

Geospatial I (JBHT 231) has 29 Windows 7 computers (including 1 instructor machine with instructor media support) with typical configurations of dual-core or quad-core processors with speeds of 2.4 Ghz. or greater. Each machine features at least 4 GB RAM, 250 GB storage, and a local DVD-RW for authoring projects or backups. All machines have dual monitor displays and access to printers in JBHT 229.

Geospatial II (JBHT 228) has 25 Windows 7 computers (including 1 instructor machine with instructor media support) with typical configurations of dual-core or quad-core processors with speeds of 2.4 to 3.4 Ghz. Each machine features 8-64 GB RAM, 250-1TB GB storage, and a local DVD-RW for authoring projects or backups. Several machines have enhanced 3-D capabilities. All machines have access to printers in JBHT 229.

Faculty wishing to use the CAST teaching labs for a semester-long course should contact the appropriate person in their department to request the room through R25.

Paleoinformatics Research Lab (JBHT 340)

The Paleoinformatics Research Lab (JBHT 340) is available for graduate and undergraduate student research, as space becomes available. The lab features 5 engineering-class workstations running a combination of Windows 7 x64 and Ubuntu 64 Linux with dual large high-resolution flat screen monitors.

Most machines have the same software as those found in the Geospatial Teaching Labs, but additional software may be installed based on the research goals of students, faculty and staff utilizing the labs. Computers are individually configured for the research tasks being performed, with the assistance of the CAST Technical Support staff.

The Paleoinformatics lab is also home to a growing suite of High-Density Survey (HDS) and Geophysics Field Equipment.

Rural GIS Research Lab (JBHT 343)

The Rural GIS Lab (JBHT 343) is available for graduate and undergraduate student research, as space becomes available. The lab features to 20 workstations; most machines have the same software as those found in the Geospatial Teaching Labs.

Additional software is installed based on the research goals of students, faculty and staff utilizing the labs. Each computer is configured to optimally perform for the research task being performed with the assistance of the CAST Technical Support staff.

MicroCT Imaging Consortium for Research and Outreach (MICRO)

The MicroCT Imaging Consortium for Research and Outreach (MICRO) is the home of the University of Arkansas’s micro computed tomography (microCT or µCT) system. MICRO is nested within and managed by the Center for Advanced Spatial Technologies (CAST).

Our microCT system, a Nikon X TH 225 ST microCT system, is capable of imaging a wide range of natural and engineered materials in a wide variety of fields, including anthropology, biology, geology, neuroanatomy, cultural preservation, and biomedical, mechanical, and chemical engineering. Visit micro.uark.edu to learn more about scanning options or email us at micro@uark.edu.