Facilities and Resources
The U of M hosts several facilities and other resources geospatial analysis. These include laboratories and software for student use and student-specific software deals. Also look at the people, research, and curriculum pages for further information.
Student-Centered Labs
There are several computing labs at the U of M that offer geospatial analysis software and computers to students.
- Advanced Research Laboratory (Blegen 420, West Bank): 10 workstations, limited access
- Automated Cartographic Information Center (Borchert Map Library, West Bank): 10 workstations, open access
- Environmental Resources Spatial Analysis Center (ERSAC, 210 Green Hall, St. Paul): 30 workstations, limited access
- Geographical Analysis and Mapping Laboratory (GAML, Blegen 455, West Bank): 32 workstations, open access
- Geographic Information Sciences Laboratory (324 CINA Hall, U of M Duluth)
Geospatial Software
U of M has access to most geospatial software packages. See information for individual research projects, software labs above, and people to learn more.
- ArcGIS
- Community Viz
- CrimeStat
- Criterion's INDEX Plan Builder
- ERDAS Imagine
- GeoDA
- GeoMedia
- IDRISI
- Map Info
- S-PLUS
- Surfer
- What if?
Student Software
Students can acquire less expensive student versions of Idrisi and ArcGIS
Idrisi is available for $39 directly from Clark Labs as part of the UMN site licence; the student version would otherwise be $95. Contact Clark Labs and inform them that you are a U of Minnesota student.
- For students enrolled in a current geography course, ask your professor to contact Clark Labs directly and give them the class roster, in which case they will match your name against the list.
- If you are currently not in a class, they will want a copy of a paid tuition bill or official registration for the present semester. If you are in the field or otherwise not around, let your advisor know and he/she may be able to contact Clark Labs directly.>
- Important: when ordering online, choose the "IDRISI Student Starter" product (normally retails for $95) and indicate "Univ. of Minnesota - $39 license" in the Comments section of the order. Note that site will not give you the choice of the $39 package nor will the confirmation email indicate this price.
ArcGIS is available for free for students enrolled in a GIS class (ArcView with ArcGIS extensions). Importantly, the course instructor must enroll the class at ESRI. Your professor may or may not decide to do this.
