Facilities

Astronomy Tools

VIU currently operates visual and electronically assisted observing sessions from the VIU Nanaimo campus for VIU astronomy students, utilizing an alt-az mounted 8″ reflector as our “live” viewing telescope (utilizing a selection of eyepieces offering different fields of view & magnifications) and equatorial mounted 3″ or 5″ refractors with specialized astronomical cameras for short exposure, “near real-time” viewing of objects. Students are invited to attend these sessions throughout the academic year (weather permitting of course!)

Engineering Labs

Building 315, Room 114

A joint laboratory/classroom allocated solely for Engineering students and includes electronic workstations, internet-enabled computers, and electronic parts access for special projects. This room is available to students off-hours with card access (8 am to 10 pm).

Close-up of student Workbench including computer, function generator, multimeter, power supply, and oscilloscope.

Building 460, Room 203

An electronics/prototyping lab allocated solely for Engineering students and includes 3D printers, laser etcher, four electronic workstations, and internet-enabled computers. This room is available to students off-hours with card access (8 am to 10 pm).

Equipment

Makerbot Replicator and Replicator + 3D printers
Tinkerine DittoPro 3D printer
Epilog 60W laser etcher
Student workstations which include
- Function/Arbitrary Waveform Generator
- Digital Multimeter (High Performance)
- Dual/triple Output Power Supply
- Digital Oscilloscope
- Soldering equipment
IDL-800 Digital lab bench
Internet-enabled computer systems
Laser printers

Student workbenches with function generator, multimeter, power supply, oscilloscope, and soldering station.

Prototyping tools including 3D printers and laser etcher.

Building 460, Room 202

A Computer Aided Drafting (CAD) lab with 16 dual monitor high-end PCs loaded up-to-date design tools. The room also includes a 75” touch screen monitor for demonstrations and teaching purposes. This room is available to students off-hours with card access (8 am to 10 pm).

Software

AutoCad
Solidworks
Fusion 360
Maple v10
Labview v2006a
Microsoft Office Suite

Engineering Study Room

Building 315, Room 215

Study area for students offered jointly with the Computer Science Department. Six computer stations, whiteboard, limited library, and dedicated lockers (available for rent through the University Bookstore) are provided to students. This room is available to students off-hours with card access (8am to 10pm).

Engineering Design Studios

Building 460, Rooms 201 and 205

Design studios dedicated for first and second year engineering students. The open design spaces are used for lectures, labs, and independent study. They are furnished with multiple computer stations, digital projectors, whiteboards, and a limited library. These rooms are available to students off-hours with card access (8 am to 10 pm).