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Induction activities for postgraduate taught students (On-campus MSc)

September 2024

Welcome!

 

PG students on sofa

We would like to welcome you to the Department of Computer Science, and we hope you will enjoy your time with us.

If you haven't yet done so, it's very important that you ensure you have completed your enrolment. This is a requirement for all new and returning students, and you can do it online.

You will already have received an email from us with more information about getting ready for university and preparing to study at York. If you haven't yet done so, do take some time to read this information.

It's important to us that you settle in to life at York as quickly as possible. As part of this, the University and the Department provides a timetable of induction activities and events which take place during your first week. You can view this schedule on your timetable.

Registering your arrival

Your registration tells us that you have arrived in York. Please come to the Reception area in Computer Science to complete your registration at the following time:

Tuesday 17th September between 09:45 and 10:30.

When you come to register, please ensure that you bring your University Card with you. You can collect your card from your college reception, and you will be contacted by email with further details of when and where to collect your card.

Missed your registration slot? Please don't panic! Come and see us at the Reception desk in Computer Science and we will be able to help you.

Your first week

PG student looking at laptop screen and smiling

During your first week, you will attend a schedule of events which will introduce you to the Department and the facilities that you will use during your degree. It is also a great opportunity to meet your fellow students and key members of staff.

Information on University-wide induction events and those run by the Department will all be available to view on your timetable.

Please ensure that you double-check your timetable for any last-minute amendments to rooms. Such changes may not be shown on here on our web pages.

Tues 17th September 10:30 - 11.30: Welcome talk for all MSc students

This session is for all new postgraduate taught students.

Members of staff will welcome you to the Department and will host a Question & Answer session. This is your chance to ask any burning questions you might have, to meet key members of the Department team, and to meet your fellow students.

This talk will also include an introduction to well-being support for students and the University's Open Door services.

Room: LMB/002A Lecture Theatre, Law & Sociology Building, Campus East

Presentation slides:

Tues 17th September 11:30 - 12:30: Welcome refreshments

Immediately after the Welcome Talk, join us in Computer Science for refreshments, and find out more about us!

Several members of our academic team will available if you have any questions. You'll also be able to meet our Student Support team and our Well-being Officer: these are key members of staff that you will see regularly during your time at York.

Room: Pod and CSE/082&083, Computer Science, Campus East

Presentation slides: There were no presentations at this event.

Tues 17th September 14:30 - 15:30: Information sessions for ACS, AI, Cyber and HCIT students

Come to an information session to find out more about your MSc course. There will be a separate session for each course: this is your chance to meet your fellow students, your Course Leader and to ask any specific questions you might have about your course.

Advanced Computer Science (ACS): Dr Xinwei Fang. Room: LMB/002A Lecture Theatre, Law & Sociology Building, Campus East

Artificial Intelligence (AI): Professor Will Smith. Room: LMB/002 Lecture Theatre, Law & Sociology Building, Campus East

Cyber Security (Cyber): Dr Siamak Shahandashti. Room: LMB/030 Lecture Theatre, Law & Sociology Building, Campus East

Human-Centred Interactive Technologies (HCIT): Professor Paul Cairns. Room: RCH/037 Lecture Theatre, Ron Cooke Hub, Campus East

Safety Critical Systems Engineering (SCSE): There is no course information session on Tuesday 19th September. Please contact your personal supervisor, who will tell you more about your masters course.

Fri 20th September 09:30 - 10:15: Welcome for International Students

This talk is specifically for international students enrolled on one of our MSc courses, or are starting the first year of our undergraduate courses. 

Dr Claudio Guarnera, International Officer in Computer Science, will welcome you to our Department. You will also meet members of our Student Support team who are on hand to answer any questions you may have while you are studying with us.

Room: PZA/103 Lecture Theatre, Piazza Building, Campus East

Fri 20th September 11:00 - 11:30: Health & Safety Briefing

This session will give you an important overview of health and safety in the Department of Computer Science. It will be presented by Andy Firth (Faculty Technical Operations Manager) and Lennon Chappell (Safety Advisor).

Room: RCH/037 Lecture Theatre, Ron Cooke Hub, Campus East

Fri 20th September 11:30 - 12:00: Fire Safety Training - online module

The aim of this module is to show you what to do in a fire emergency situation, and how to co-operate with the University to reduce the risk of fire.

It is essential that you complete this module as soon as possible. Join us in the software labs and tick the training off your to-do list for the week! Alternatively, if you can't make the lab session, complete the course in your own time through the VLE.

Rooms: CSE/066, Computer Science

Presentation slides: There were no presentations at this session.

 

Fri 20th September 13:30 - 14:00: Introduction to Library, Archives & Learning Services

The Library will play a big part in your experience while you're at York. At this session, you'll find out more about the University's library and how you can make the most of the services it offers to all students.

Room: PZA/103 Lecture Theatre, Piazza Building, Campus East

Fri 20th September 15:30 - 17:30: Computer Science Social

To finish off the end of your first week, join us in the Pod for a team-based quiz around the Department. You'll be solving problems, hunting out solutions and getting thoroughly lost - but don't worry, we'll find you!

Room: Pod and CSE/082&083 in Computer Science

Presentation slides: There were no presentations at this event.

Support for students with a disability or long-term health condition

Student sitting at laptop in bedroom

Do you have a disability or long-term health condition that has a significant impact on your ability to study?

If the answer is 'yes', then the University's Disability Services team can arrange academic support and adjustments. You can discuss your needs with a Disability Adviser and explore what support options may be available to you.

Please note that arrangements made with your previous school or college are not passed on to us automatically. We strongly recommend that you speak to the Disability Support Team if you think you will need extra support.

If you have any questions, email the Disability Support team at disabilityservices@york.ac.uk or call +44 (0)1904 324785.

Your supervisor

Every student has a supervisor who is a member of staff in the Department. Your supervisor is there to help and advise you on all aspects of life at university, including your course, the Department and the University of York.

During your first week, check your e:Vision account to find out the name of your supervisor. We recommend that you go to our online People Finder to find the room number of your supervisor's office and check out its location.

It is important that you arrange to meet with your supervisor as soon as you can. Supervisors have different ways of telling you when they are free. Some may post a list on their office door where you can choose your appointment time. Others may email you directly with suggested dates and times.

If you haven't heard from your supervisor by the end of your first week, you can email them directly to arrange a meeting. If you have any questions about meeting your supervisors, or problems with finding their office, please speak to Jo Phillips at the Reception Desk in Computer Science.

The teaching timetable

Teaching starts on Monday 23rd September. If you have not already done so, please take a look at your timetable. You can check the location of teaching rooms by looking them up on the University's Campus Map.

An essential part of your development is academic integrity - this is how we make sure that our work is ethical and trustworthy. During your first term with us, it is important that you complete the Academic Integrity Tutorial module on Blackboard, the University's VLE (virtual learning environment). We will send you more information about how and when you should complete this module.

Keeping up to date

The word Info in white lettering on black chalkboard

The Student Handbook is your go-to guide for useful information about studying on your course. You will be sent a link to this important document during the week commencing Monday 18th September.

The Handbook has been created in Google Docs format, so that you can easily search the document for answers to any questions you might have. We recommend that you add the document to your 'starred' list of files in Google Drive, so that you can quickly locate it in the future. 

The University publishes Student pages on its website, which are a useful resource for finding rooms, booking study space and check availability for library seating. The web pages also give support and guidance on a range of issues, making sure you can find the right contacts when you need them.

Finally, the Computer Science student information web pages provide you with lots of information to help you through your student journey, You can find out more about your course, modules and assessments, and find answers to frequently asked questions. We publish regular newsletters, and we also keep you up to date through our Instagram account.

Keeping in touch

Our primary means of contacting you is through your University of York email account, which you should check at least once a day.

It is also important that you keep your personal details up to date on e:Vision (UoY login required). Please take time to review your details, ensuring that your local term time address and telephone number are both correct and up to date. In the future, if you change your contact details, you should update your record on e:Vision as soon as you can.

Questions? Contact us!

If you have any questions, or you need further assistance of any kind, please contact us.

  • Visit: Computer Science Reception is open 08:30 - 16:30 Monday to Thursday each week, and 08:30 - 16:00 on Fridays.
  • Email: cs-reception@york.ac.uk
  • Telephone: 01904 325500

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Further information that you may find useful