Create a named account following the instructions at http://inst.eecs.berkeley.edu/~inst/newusers.html. Alternatively you can also use a class account. Ask the instructor for an account form. Class accounts expire at the end of the semester, named accounts do not but take longer to set up.
Follow instructions at http://inst.eecs.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/pub.cgi?file=matlab.help. Suggestions: try running the code samples from the lecture notes.
Follow instructions at http://inst.eecs.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/pub.cgi?file=cadence.help (report problems to inst@eecs.berkeley.edu) and the tutorial (a work in progress; updates welcome!). Searching the web for "Cadence 6 tutorial" brings up more helpful information. E.g., at the time of this writing (web links change ...), http://www.engr.sjsu.edu/mjones/cadence6.pdf.
Report problems (and solutions) in the bspace forum. Email inst@eecs.berkeley.edu for help with problems related to the instructional computers.