Welcome MCOMP and MITS students!

Information Sources

• MITS / MCOMP web page: http://cs.anu.edu.au/masters

  contains program and course information (the definitive source), suggested enrolment patterns, the on-line version of this document, timetabling information (with links to course home pages), and information on two year degree combinations and research degree pathways.

• 2009 Student Enrolment and Administrative Procedures (SEAP) Guide

  contains general information on enrolment procedures, fees, examinations and assessment, academic progress and help.

• Student iGuide 2009

  contains information on the general ANU information services, including access to general ANU computer facilities, ISIS, and your ANU email account. See also http://iguide.anu.edu.au.

• DCS Student Handbook

  although designed primarily for undergraduate students, this contains information on DCS services, the CSIT building, and assessment in Computer Science courses, and general rules on the use of ANU computer services and laboratories.

• Student Computing Environment: User Guide

  this contains a guide to the Linux environment for CS undergraduate computing laboratories (ground floor CSIT Building). You will use a separate computing account (although with the same username) for these labs for Masters courses serviced with undergraduate courses as well. The Guide will also be useful for your Masters Lab account, which is also Linux.

• ANU Graduate Coursework Prospectus 2009 http://studyat.anu.edu.au/graduate_coursework.html

  contains general information on graduate student facilities and services at ANU.

Facilities

• Masters Computer Laboratory

  This is in the CSIT Building room N111. There are a number of Linux workstations there, plus desk space for studying and a noticeboard. Student Card access is enabled after enrolment (by early week 1). Please note the Occupational Health and Safety Notices.

  Remote access to your CS student account can be accomplished via ssh ephebe.anu.edu.au or ssh partch.anu.edu.au. For external Windows machines, ssh can be installed with the Cygwin Linux emulation package available from http://www.cygwin.com.

• Other Facilities

  On the ground floor CSIT building, there is a kitchenette. In the lower floor of Ian Ross building, there are also a `Quiet Room' and lockers.

• General ANU IT Services

  Once enrolled, you will have an email account of the form u9999999@anu.edu.au. It is recommended that you use this as your email address for all contact with DCS staff. Furthermore, staff (including me!) will contact you by that address, and so you are expected to check it regularly. You will also be able to use general ANU IT services

Consultation and Help

• CECS Student Services: Ms Jill Mayo (IR N204, x58870, student.services[at]cecs.anu.edu.au)

  See Jill for general advice on administrative procedures (e.g. online enrolment via ISIS, degree completion procedures), and advice on ANU student services.

• Masters Convenors: Dr Peter Strazdins (peter[at]cs.anu.edu.au, x55141 CSIT N219), and Dr Henry Gardner (CSIT N338).

  See the Convenors for advice on enrolment choices and degree variation, requests for status and exemptions, and general issues for your degrees. Email/call Peter for quick issues; where a consultation is required, make an appointment to see Henry through the DCS Office (office[at]cs.anu.edu.au, x54043)

• DCS Office Ms Julie Arnold (julie.a.arnold[at]anu.edu.au, x54043)

  See Julie for permission codes, general advice about DCS including help in contacting lecturers, obtaining copies of DCS Student Handbook and User Guide.

• Masters Lab Technical Support: Mr Hugh Fisher, CSIT N238, x55148, hugh.fisher[at]anu.edu.au

  See Hugh for problems with your account or the hardware in the Masters lab.

• Course Co-ordinators: see your lecturers for specific help (e.g. on assignments) on each course that you will enrol in. The course will have a web page advertising how to do so.

Some General ANU Services

• The Academic Skills and Learning Centre http://www.anu.edu.au/academicskills
  The ASLC can offer assistance to you to improve your independent study skills and habits, essay writing skills and English speaking/listening skills. This takes the form of individual consultations and small classes. There is also useful online materials, e.g. on time management, report writing and avoiding plagiarism.

• The International Education Office: x55699, pg.int[at]anu.edu.au, www.edu.au/ieo
  (for International Students) the IEO offers orientation for new students, and advice on issues such as visas, health cover and student communities.

• ANU Counselling Centre: http://www.anu.edu.au/counsel/
  offers a free and confidential counselling service for personal and emotional problems encountered by ANU students.

Getting Ready for the Semester

• make an (initial) decision on your courses : -- how many courses? -- how much prior programming experience is required? -- is there a lot of report writing involved?

  MITS (S2): one possible suggestion for Full Time:
  COMP6240, COMP6341; 2 from COMP6461, COMP2720, COMP7310

  Note: for administration purposes, you should include at least 3 (if F/T) or 1 (if P/T) semester 2 courses. Provided they are legal, it does not matter at this stage what they are - you can change it on-line up to the end of July.

  MCOMP: decide on whether you want to specialize, and see the suggested enrolment patterns page. Note that you cannot write in any courses requiring special permission (e.g. project courses) at this stage. If unsure, write in the Convenor's Choice for the time being (for F/T, S2): COMP8110, COMP8150, COMP6461,COMP8420

• complete your enrolment (week 0)

  Go to the Enrolment Session 13:30-16:00 14/07 at Melville Hall (see Jill Mayo of you could not make this), and finally enrol on-line via ANUBIS (note that you can vary your enrolment on-line until the end of week 2) and collect your ANU Student Card.

• if you have been granted status from previous studies, fill in a Status Application form

• `settle in' to ANU and Canberra (weeks 0-1)

• find out your lecture / tutorial times and places; also visit your courses' home pages (weeks 0-1)

• register for tutorials (weeks 0-1)

  Some courses will require you to register on a tutorial or laboratory session via the StReAMS on-line registration system. Connect to http://cs.anu.edu.au/streams (note that it may take up to 48 hours for your enrolment information to reach StReAMS). Log in using your uni id and PAC code. You should see a list of all courses requiring registration; follow the links and make your choices - this is best done as early as possible before the sessions begin to fill up

  Connecting to StReAMS will also cause you to gain access to the labs on the ground floor of the CSIT building (needed for the courses holding tutorials there - login using your uni id and PAC code).

• begin attending the lectures etc for your courses (from week 1)

• finalize your enrollments (if needed, by end week 2. Please give this careful thought!)

• have a great semester!