Quarterly Course Computing Processes and Guidelines

As we prepare for the Autumn Quarter, 2024, we need to ensure that the appropriate software and resources are available for your course. To help us accommodate your needs, please follow the steps below. Note that due to resource limitations (e.g., availability of software or special requirements), not all requests may be fulfilled.

Steps to Follow When Making Course Computing Requests:

  1. Locate Your Course Information
    • Access the Course Resources Database to find the course(s) you are teaching.

      • Please Note: The database will not roll over to the next quarter until the previous quarter has officially concluded.

    • Verify the Operating System (OS) (Linux, Windows, or Both) and programming languages listed for your course. This information is based on the most recent quarter in which the course was taught (typically from the past couple of years).

  2. Report Missing or Incorrect Information
    • If you find any discrepancies or if the information is incomplete, notify course-computing.cs. Provide the correct details or specify any additional software or facilities you need.
    • Please note: If you require software not currently available at the school, it may be too late to acquire and install it before the quarter begins. Contact us immediately if you need new software.

  3. Confirm Resources that are Correct
    • If all information is correct and no additional resources are needed, notify course-computing.cs to confirm. This ensures we have an accurate record.

  4. Status Updates:
    • After you submit your request, the Status column will initially show "Verifying." Once we confirm that the requested resources can be provided, it will be updated to "Confirmed." If the status does not change to "Confirmed" within a few days, there may be issues with providing the resource. In such cases, please inquire.
    • As resources are confirmed in the course computing database, they will also populate in the Instructor Dashboard for your course. You can find your current quarter dashboard by appending your course number to the top-level URL: https://education.cs.washington.edu/dashboard?course=cse### (e.g., https://education.cs.washington.edu/dashboard?course=cse333). Please keep the link to this resource handy for your reference throughout the quarter.

Quarterly "Call for Course Computing" Email:

We encourage you to proactively take the steps above as you prepare for each quarter in which you will be teaching, but if you forget or otherwise are unable to submit your requests at an earlier date, don’t worry! Prior to each quarter, we also send an email reminder to all CSE instructors who are scheduled to teach, prompting you to follow the steps above and send in your requests. You can count on this quarterly email to establish a firm deadline for you to do so and can expect it to land in your inbox approximately 2-3 weeks before the first day of classes.

We’ve dubbed this email reminder and your responses to it, the “Call for Course Computing Needs”, so please keep a keen eye out for a message with that Subject line + the relevant Quarter , sent from course-computing.cs.washington.edu.


Important Notes:

  • CSE Course Tools & Educational Technology

    This page provides key information on course tools and technologies supported by the CS Lab, which can serve as a useful resource as you identify your computing needs.

  • Default Course Resources provided Each Cycle:

    All courses are assumed to require basic web and email access. A single hypermail archive is also available by default.

  • Default Software Versions installed on Lab Machines this Cycle:

    For the 2024-2025 academic cycle, the following standard software versions will be installed and running on all the virtual lab machines, Attus, and non-major Attus:

    • RockyLinux 9 OS
    • OpenJDK 21
    • JavaFX 21
    • Node.js 22 (Current LTS)
    • Latest IntelliJ IDEA (2024.2.1)

  • Deprecated Resources ahead of this Cycle: (Note: IntelliJ as mentioned above and VS Code are available as alternative IDEs)

    • Eclipse

    To ensure accurate resource allocation, please inform us of any other languages or software needed by default.


    Capstone and Dedicated Lab Assignments:

    Certain courses require dedicated lab spaces due to specific needs that can include:

    • Access to Specialized Lab Equipment: Courses that require particular equipment for instruction or projects.
    • Unique Space Configurations: Courses needing specific space layouts or technological setups.
    • Close Proximity to a Related Research Lab: Courses that benefit from being close to related research spaces.
    • Advanced Security and Privacy Considerations: Courses in which instruction, assignments or research projects may involve high-risk categories of personal data or sensitive university information and/or the testing of novel or emerging technology and/or use of other high-value assets which warrants the added security and privacy of a restricted space.

    Lab Assignment Process:

    Whereas the School Services and Facilities Teams manage reservations and assignments for most spaces across our two buildings (including the Fabrication Research Lab aka "Fablab"), the CS Lab (ultimately, the CS Lab's Director, Aaron Timss) is responsible for allocating and managing Lab Spaces that are primarily used for academic Instruction or general student learning/academic support purposes. Given the limited availability of lab spaces that can be designated for individual course use compared to the number of courses offered each quarter, the CS Lab must carefully prioritize and allocate these spaces. Factors considered in this process include:

    • Necessity of Dedicated Space: How crucial it is for the course to have its own lab.
    • Room Size vs. Student Capacity: Ensuring the lab size matches the number of students.
    • Presence of Special Equipment: Availability of necessary equipment within the lab.
    • Space Layout: Suitability of the lab’s layout for specific needs.
    • Proximity to Related Facilities: Location relative to other important research areas.
    • Additional Security Requirements: Any extra security provisions needed.

    Additional Considerations:

    • We may also offer "space-share" arrangements, where multiple courses share a lab, or "limited-time/temporary" access for specific sessions, projects, or assignments, if/when possible.

    • For courses with consistent needs for dedicated lab space, we aim to assign the same lab each time the course is offered. However, due to logistical constraints, it may not always be feasible to retain the same space. Please share any comments or suggestions regarding lab assignments with us.


    If you have questions or would like more information about anything on this page, please email course-computing@cs or support@cs.