Course Description

Cloud Foundations for GeoLab is an asynchronous introductory course designed to help learners get started working productively in EarthScope’s GeoLab cloud computing environment. Through a series of guided tutorials and lightweight technical exercises, participants will learn foundational concepts for scientific computing in the cloud, including navigating JupyterLab, managing files and environments, accessing EarthScope data services, and understanding reproducible notebook-based workflows.
The course introduces both conceptual and operational aspects of working in GeoLab, helping learners understand how cloud-based scientific workflows differ from traditional local computing approaches. Participants will explore cloud computing concepts, package and environment management, authentication workflows, and data access strategies used in geophysical research and education.
This course is intended as an entry point for learners preparing for cloud-enabled EarthScope technical courses and reproducible scientific workflows in GeoLab.

Primary Audience: Undergraduate students and above, including graduate students, early-career researchers, educators, and researchers interested in working with scientific workflows in GeoLab.

Secondary Audience: Researchers, instructors, and professionals seeking an introduction to cloud-based scientific computing workflows and EarthScope data access tools.

Learning Objectives

Launch and navigate the GeoLab environment and JupyterLab workspace
Execute and document notebook-based workflows in GeoLab
Access EarthScope data services and retrieve datasets in the cloud
Recognize common troubleshooting and recovery strategies in GeoLab

Participant Commitment

This is an asynchronous, self-paced course with no scheduled class meetings. Participants are expected to progress independently through instructional tutorials, guided exercises, and embedded assessments. The course combines conceptual content with lightweight technical activities inside GeoLab. Participants should expect to spend approximately 8–12 hours working through the materials at their own pace.

Prerequisites, Computer and Data

Working computer and internet connection. No prior cloud computing experience is required. Basic familiarity with Python or scientific computing workflows is helpful.

Brief Agenda

Module 1	Scientific Computing in the Cloud
Module 2	Starting GeoLab
Module 3	Tour of JupyterLab & Notebooks
Module 4	Python in Cloud Workflows
Module 5	Cloud Usage Best Practices
Module 6	Collaborating with Git
Module 7	Package Management
Module 8	Authentication & Authorization
Module 9	Seismic or Geodetic Data Access Exercise

Assessment

The course includes embedded knowledge checks, tutorial-based quizzes, and guided operational exercises throughout each module. Learners will complete lightweight technical activities designed to reinforce understanding of GeoLab workflows, reproducibility practices, cloud-based scientific computing concepts, and EarthScope data access methods

Instructors

Various EarthScope Staff