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Spatial Analysis Laboratories

The Spatial Analysis Laboratories (SAL) are a facility within the School of Earth, Atmospheric & Life Sciences (SEALS). The SAL specialises in geographic information science, technology and resources. SAL consists of three spaces, specialist staff and support for a range of geospatial software and location-aware data and equipment.

  • Toni O'Neill Spatial Research Lab
  • Map Library and Collaboration Space
  • Spatial Teaching Lab

There is no eating or drinking in the SAL computer labs and the UOW IT Policies apply.

If your water bottle can be securely closed, and you keep it closed, you may be able to make a case against immediate lab eviction. This is at the discretion of the relevant course coordinator / lab manager at all times.

SEALS teaches GIS using the ESRI ArcGIS software and Remote Sensing using ENVI. There are a range of other geospatial software products available to researchers within the School in TOL. If you would like to discuss the installation of new software for use in your teaching or research work, please contact the SAL Tech Staff.

Toni O'Neill Spatial Research Laboratory

The TOL (41.G03) is a specialist research facility that provides access to a range of applications that support geospatial research within the School of Earth, Atmospheric and Life Sciences.

You can check out the available software on the SAL Portal and computers can be booked up to a week in advance using the Online Booking System. Machine bookings are limited to 3 hour blocks, longer bookings require consultation with SAL staff to ensure other users are not disadvantaged by extended usage of specific machines.

Antoinette Lyndall O’Neill (Toni O’Neill) 1945-1999

Toni O’Neill made a distinguished contribution in the early developments of the spatial sciences at UOW (Department of Geography -> School of Geosciences). Appointed for her dual expertise in the fields of Biogeography and Remote Sensing, Toni started work in the Department of Geography at the University of Wollongong in 1987.

A unifying thread of Toni’s research in Remote Sensing was her obsession with understanding why a response was observed, rather than simply characterising or applying the information. She taught an undergraduate course on the interpretation of satellite imagery and inspired keen Honours and Postgraduate students to undertake research on the natural environment, while also leading the Faculty of Science into the adoption of Geographical Information Systems (GIS). 

Spatial Teaching Laboratory

The STL is located in the Science Teaching Facility (43.G06) and and is a blend of a traditional "computer lab" space and a more flexible learning environment. When not booked for practical sessions, STL is available to students enrolled in STL subjects between the hours of 9am and 4pm, Monday to Friday. During these times they can work on assignments and complete any follow up practical work they wish to do. 

There is no ‘out of hours’ access to STL available.

ArcGIS is also available from the Student Computer Labs (17.105 & 17.110B) which have extended opening hours.

STL Demonstrators are only available to provide practical support during scheduled classes.

If you have a question about an STL practical outside of your practical session, please contact your course coordinator.

Technical staff located near these lab are not there to help you with enquiries about GIS and Remote Sensing. Screenshot error messages and include them in any emails to your Subject Coordinator or bring them to your next class.  Many error messages are data related in GISc and the error codes, in ArcGIS particularly, are decipherable with practice

SAL Spatial Data Repository

The Spatial Data Repository contains a significant array of spatial data that is available to SAL Registered Projects in support of non-commercial teaching and research activities.

For any inquiries or assistance, including requests for specific datasets, please contact our SAL Techstaff team (sal-techstaff@uow.edu.au).