Computing Facilities
1. COMPUTING FACILITIES
All students have access to a wide range of computing facilities. Corporate Information and Computing Services (CiCS) provides more than 1600 secure computers in rooms across campus, with a large choice of software including comprehensive internet access, email, CAD, statistical and other specialist software. In addition, many departments provide additional facilities for their students, including computers in dedicated laboratories and subject-specific software. All computers are connected to the campus network, which is maintained by CiCS and provides access to available software, services, and to the internet.
2. COMPUTER ROOMS
The Information Commons is open 24/7 and provides computers for students to use, as well as low cost, high quality laser printing and scanners. Staff are on hand to offer assistance.
In addition there are 36 additional unstaffed computer rooms around the campus, including the Hicks Building, floor G, Perak Laboratories, Bartolomé House and most libraries. Each cluster of rooms contains a laser printer, and most contain phones that can be used to contact the CiCS helpdesk.
The locations of these facilities are indicated on a map available from the Information Commons, and the CiCS website also lists all rooms available and indicates the rooms that have free computers, see
www.sheffield.ac.uk/cics/studentcomputerrooms
You can locate free computers and get directions to all computer rooms if you download the University´s fully featured CampusM mobile phone app
or you can simply view the locations of free computers on an internet enabled mobile phone, from mobile.shef.ac.uk
3. USING COMPUTERS
- Computer Account and Email Address
You will receive a computer account that gives you secure access to the computing facilities and the campus network, and a University of Sheffield email address.The University, including your department, will send important information to this email address only. You must check your University email regularly even if you also have a personal email address. - Connecting your Own Computer
You can connect your own computer to the internet from most rooms in University residences. In some partnership (not owned by the University) properties you will need to pay a charge for internet access in your room. If you have a laptop, you can connect it to the campus network using plug-in points provided in some rooms and you can connect to the wireless network in many other rooms around campus, including lecture theatres and cafés. For a list of wireless locations, see
www.sheffield.ac.uk/cics/wireless
4. MUSE: The University Portal
MUSE gives you personal access to many resources, including your student record, course information, timetables, teaching materials via MOLE, the University Library catalogue via STAR and electronic journals.
It also provides remote access to our internet services, and online resources. Whenever you have access to a web browser, you can login to MUSE and access your email, your files, and our web based resources.
For information on MUSE, see
MUSE also provides access to uSpace, the University´s secure social web and collaboration environment. uSpace offers a collection of social web tools for communication and collaboration amongst students and staff, with a flexible collaboration environment for research, breaking geographical barriers in learning, and improving communication within departments.
For information on uSpace, see
5. PRINTING & PHOTOCOPYING
Around campus there are many high quality, colour and monochrome, laser printers, printing to A3 or A4 paper. You can print these laser printers from all University computers and even from your own computer. You can pay for printing using credit on your UCard. Use your credit or debit card to add printing credit to your UCard via the myPrinting Account channel in MUSE.
Instructions on using the printing service can be found at:
www.sheffield.ac.uk/cics/printing
You will also need to swipe your UCard to use the Library photocopiers.
6. GETTING STARTED
- In order to use the computers or the network at the University you will need to register for a computer account.
If you arrive early you can do this pre-registration
from Monday 13th September in the Information Commons. You will need to provide your admissions (UCAS or applicant) number. - You will receive a username and password which will allow you to use the computers in the Student Computer rooms and to connect your own computer to the University network using a cable.
- You will also be given your email address and your remote access password which will allow you to connect your own computer to the wireless network.
- All you need to know about starting to use the computers at The University of Sheffield is provided in the ‘Getting Started with IT Services’ booklet that you receive when you register for a computer account. Included with this booklet is a CD containing detailed instructions for connecting your own computer to the Internet using both a plug-in cable and connecting via the wireless network.
7. GETTING HELP
- You can get help from any staff member in the Information Commons.
- Unstaffed rooms contain phones that let you contact the CiCS helpdesk for free on 21111.
- From off-campus you can phone the helpdesk on 0114 222 1111 or you can email
helpdesk@sheffield.ac.uk - You can visit the drop-in helpdesk service in the Computing Centre on Hounsfield Road.
- Self-service book issue and return machines accessible 24/7
8. REGULATIONS & IT CODE OF PRACTICE
A comprehensive guide to the University's policies relating to the use of computing facilities and the IT Code of Practice can be found on the CiCS web site at
www.sheffield.ac.uk/cics/policies
It is your responsibility to become familiar with the contents of the regulations and guidelines.