Computer labs at Bowdoin have been called various names throughout the years, often varying from person to person and department to department, with no clear definition as to what is meant when someone says "Computer Lab". This article is intended to help define each type of computer lab on campus.
Public Computer Lab
Description:
A public computer lab is one that is managed and maintained by Information Technology, is accessible to anyone on campus, and is generally open late nights and on weekends. These labs are not necessarily funded by IT through the budgeting process, but often are. Nearly all public computer labs are macOS-based, with a handful of Windows-based computers available.
Management:
Public computer labs are managed by Information Technology. The version of the operating system, software security, and the applications installed are all handled by IT. Major software components are upgraded annually, usually in the summer months, with software patches and updates being done on a weekly cycle, along with the rest of campus.
Replacement:
Public computer labs are automatically on a 4-5 year replacement cycle with no intervention or request needed.
Examples:
Formerly Kanbar Hall, Room 101, Hawthorne-Longfellow, Main Floor.
Departmental Computer Lab
Description:
Departmental computer labs are often managed by Information Technology but used primarily by a specific department or by permission from the owning department. Departmental computer labs may be used for teaching but usually by the department. Students who are majors of the department or taking specific courses are allowed to use the space while others on campus are not, without permission. Departmental computer labs are a mix of macOS-based and Windows-based computers.
Management:
Departmental computer labs are managed by Information Technology. The version of the operating system, software security, and the applications installed are all handled by IT. Major software components are upgraded annually, usually in the summer months, with software patches and updates being done on a weekly cycle, along with the rest of campus.
Replacement:
Departmental computer labs are automatically on a 4-5 year replacement cycle with no intervention or request needed.
Examples:
Edwards Art Center, Room 115 (Digital Media Lab).
Teaching Lab
Description:
Teaching labs are managed by Information Technology and are used specifically for teaching purposes. Access to a teaching lab after hours or outside of class time is generally not permitted without permission by the department. Teaching labs are a mix of macOS-based and Windows-based computers.
Management:
Teaching Labs are managed and maintained by Information Technology. The version of the operating system, software security, and the applications installed are handled by IT. There may be cases where lab instructors will also have the ability to install software or perform specialized updates, as needed, for their teaching. Major software components are upgraded annually, usually in the summer months, with software patches and updates being done on a weekly cycle, along with the rest of campus.
Replacement:
Teaching labs are automatically on a 4-5 year replacement cycle with no intervention or request needed.
Examples:
Druckenmiller Hall, Room 38B, Hatch Science Library, Room 207, Searles Science Building, Room 216.
Research Lab
Description:
Research labs are managed by the department or individual faculty or lab instructors. IT will set up a computer initially, but software is maintained by the the lab owner. These spaces are not open to the general public and are almost exclusively used for research. Research labs are a mix of macOS-based and Windows-based computers.
Management:
Research labs are managed by a faculty member or lab instructor. Software updates are managed centrally through Information Technology, however requests can be made to omit certain computers from software management if there is a technical reason (i.e. the software needed to run a piece of equipment only runs on a certain version of Windows).
Replacement:
Research lab computers are not on an automatic replacement cycle. If replacement computers are desired, a request must be made through the annual CAP process.
Examples:
Druckenmiller Hall, Rooms
Specialized Labs or Instrument Labs
Description:
There are a number of very specialized labs on campus. Some of these use very specific equipment or are used for very specific purposes. These types of spaces can vary from scientific equipment to audio recording. There is a mix of macOS-based and Windows-based computers in these spaces.
Management:
Varies. Information Technology will often perform a general setup of computers in these spaces, or will consult on their setup. Often times, a vendor will supply a computer with a piece of equipment and IT will alter that configuration to adhere to the College's security requirements. While these computers are encouraged to be on a standard software update schedule, requests can be made to alter the schedule as-needed.
Replacement:
Specialized lab computers are not on an automatic replacement cycle. If a replacement computer is desired, a request must either be made through the annual CAP process or funding would need to be obtained elsewhere.
Examples:
Hawthorne-Longfellow, Recording Studio. Roux Center, Scanning Electron Microscope Lab.