IT support for students in Computer Science is provided by ITS. However, given that the study of Computer Science naturally involves computers and software, not all Computing issues faced by Computer Science students are IT support issues. Instead, it is important to distinguish academic computing issues (e.g. how to program) from IT support issues (e.g. some hardware or software has ceased working correctly), so that students can seek assistance from the appropriate staff. This page provides guidance for students in doing this.

Commencing Students

Commencing students include first year undergraduates and Masters students in their first semester of study

The School of Computer Science provides each commencing student with at least one supervised practical lab session per week. For first year students these sessions are in room 1063, whereas for commencing Masters students they are in room 1059. Each session has one or more practical supervisors, who should be commencing students’ first point of contact, as they are able to assist with both academic computing and IT support issues. Where an IT support issue cannot be resolved on the spot, the supervisors will contact ITS using the telephones located in the labs. Similarly, where an academic issue connot be resolved on the spot, supervisors will report it to subject lecturers.

Outside of scheduled practical sessions, commencing students will need to decide whether issues are academic or IT support. An A3 sized notice in each lab provides some guidance in doing this, as does the service list at the end of this page. For IT support issues, students should use the in-lab telephones, whereas academic issues should be raised with subject teachers (lecturers, tutors, consulting staff).

Continuing Students

Usernames and passwords: Students continuing study from 2006 will be aware that in 2006 Computer Science students had a distinct password for accessing Computer Science specific services, whereas a University-wide password was used for everything else. A pleasing development for 2007 is that students now use their University-wide password for all services (including Computer Science specific services). A side effect of this improvement is that students now use the Standard University Password Management Service provided by the Student Centre for all issues related to their password (changing it, what to do if it has been forgotten or doesn't work etc.). This service efficiently deals with one of the most common IT support issues.

Continuing students will need to decide whether computing issues they encounter are academic or IT support. An A3 sized notice in each lab provides some guidance in doing this, as does the service list at the end of this page. For IT support issues, students should use the in-lab telephones or email helpdesk@adelaide.edu.au, whereas academic issues should be raised with subject teachers (lecturers, tutors, consulting staff).

Computing Services for Computer Science Students