Facilities

The Department of Computer Science maintains state-of-the-art laboratories for Computer Science students to use. These labs provide access to a broad range of software on different platforms, including Linux and Windows operating systems.

Computer Access

Students primarily use desktop machines available in the lab. However, students may also bring their own laptop devices to the labs and hook them up to keyboards and monitors specially reserved for such purpose.

We also support remote access to Linux laboratory services through a "terminal server" known as tuxworld.usask.ca.

Instructional Spaces

A variety of instructional spaces are provided for students, faculty and staff. Descriptions of each space are provided below. Please note that the Spinks Addition Building hours are 7am - 11pm daily.

The Department has two instructional laboratories, each with seating for 33 students (one station provides convenient wheelchair access). An instructor's station provides control for the data projector and sound system in each lab.

When these labs are not booked for classes or tutorials, they are available for use by all students enrolled in Computer Science and Bioinformatics courses.

Instructional Laboratories

 Operating Systems Seats Lab Hours Printers
Spinks 311 Linux/Windows computers 33 24 hours a day Print to 'spinks360'
Spinks 320 Linux/Windows computers 33 24 hours a day Print to 'spinks360'

The Department has two open-access laboratories, one with seating for 24 students and the other providing seating for up to 120 students. These labs are not booked as a general rule, but are available for use by all students enrolled in Computer Science and Bioinformatics courses.

Instructional Laboratories Operating Systems Seats Lab Hours Printers
Spinks 315 Linux/Windows computers 9 24 hours a day Print to 'spinks360'
Spinks 360 Linux/Windows computers 64 24 hours a day

To access the printer in this lab, print to 'spinks360'

Three breakout rooms for small meetings, project planning, or other group related activities are maintained by the Department. Breakout rooms can be used as drop-in areas, or booked on a first-come, first-serve basis; priority will be given to bookings over drop-in use. Computer Science faculty, staff, and students can book the rooms.

Bookings of the breakout rooms may be preempted by Computer Science courses that require the meeting room for academic purposes, such as project marking or meeting with project groups for evaluation and/or coordination. If a booking you have made is preemted, an email message will be sent to the email address in your Intranet profile.

Breakout Room Computer Seats Hours Printer
Spinks 342

Linux/Windows computer

TV monitor hookup

 8 24 hours a day No printer
Spinks 371

Linux/Window computer

Projector

 8 24 hours a day No printer
Spinks 372

Linux/Windows computer

TV monitor hookup

 6 24 hours a day No printer

The SMART Board lab houses the Department's SMART Board, and is ideal for meetings and software demonstations. The Lab is available by booking (see below), and seats roughly 15 people in a presentation setting. The lab comes equipped with a SMART Board and a PC running Windows 10.

Software can be installed on the SMARTBoard computer by request.

Location Lab Hours
Spinks 386 By Booking Only

Help and Support

The following support groups are available for Computer Science students:

  • Student Help Centre staff are available to provide general assistance
  • "Instructors" in the Lab" provide specialized assistance for students in first and second year courses
  • Other students are available to field questions and engage in joint problem solving
  • Contact your professor for help or clarification regarding academic assignments

Questions regarding the labs should be forwarded to techsupport@cs.usask.ca