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Student Computing

Contents
Contents

Accessing Queen's Online

Queen's Online is the staff and student portal that shows a bespoke view for the user of their, for example, timetable, modules, print balance and library loans as well as key applications including Email, Microsoft 365, Teams, OneDrive, Canvas and IT Support.

If you are a current member of Queen's you can access Queen's Online using your student/staff number and password.

Accessing Microsoft 365

As a student at Queen's, you automatically get assigned a Microsoft License, and this license gives you full access to a whole suite of Microsoft Applications.

Access the Microsoft Portal for email and other apps.

  • It's free for as long as you're a student at Queen's.
  • You can install it on up to a total of five devices, including PCs, Macs, Smartphones and Tablets.
  • Read more about Microsoft 365 @ Queen's
  • For more detailed instructions on how to download and access Microsoft 365, go to our Microsoft 365 page.

Accessing the WiFi

Visitors to the University can connect via The Cloud at the following locations: Whitla Hall, Great Hall & Welcome Centre, Students' Union The Space, Queen's Film Theatre, Queen's Sport (PEC) Café, Queen's Sport Upper Malone, The Elms Village Treehouse, INTO (Lennoxvale). 

Students and Staff should continue to use "_QUB_WiFi", which is the University's primary wireless service.  Visitors from other institutions should use "eduroam".

Visit our WiFi page for details on how to connect your device to the appropriate WiFi network.

Advice on getting a device

The University realises that access to IT support and a suitable computing device is crucial to the student experience. Information that will help you with getting a device to support you studies and with getting online, advice on choosing a device, examples of suppliers offering discounts and importantly sources of support that exist within the University can be found on our getting a device advice page.

Borrowing a laptop

Laptops are available to borrow from The McClay Library, Biomedical Library (MBC) and Medical Library (RVH) for use within those Libraries.  They have full wireless network access and have the same facilities as the computers in the Student Computing Areas.

When you borrow a laptop, ensure you attach the charger and safely plug it into a mains point, on a desk.  

Ask at the Borrower Services Desk in the Biomedical or Medical Libraries, or, in The McClay Library, use the self-service lockers on the ground floor.

To operate the self-service lockers in The McClay Library, swipe your Student Smart Card in front of the reader and one of the locker doors will open (if a laptop is available).  Remove the laptop and close the locker door. 

To return the laptop when you have finished with it, shut it down, rather than simply log off.  Swipe your card again and the locker door will open.  Replace the laptop and close the locker door.

Considerate Studying

All students should be able to work in a pleasant and quiet environment, therefore when you enter a library or SCA:

  • Switch your mobile phone to silent.
  • Keep talking and noise to a minimum.  Book a group study room if you need to work with others.
  • If you need a break there are refreshment areas with vending machines or a café.  Do not eat in the study areas as it is distracting to other students and may result in damage to furniture and equipment.  Drinks with secure lids are permitted in all areas.
  • Keep your password secret and log out of the computer before leaving.  Any misuse from your account is your responsibility
  • Keep your belongings with you at all times.  Thieves work fast!
  • Leave the equipment and facilities as you would like to find them.  Recycle paper and plastic using the bins provided.
  • Show consideration for others by not lingering, especially during peak times when someone may be waiting for a PC or study space to finish important coursework.
  • Respect copyright and abide by our Social Media Policy.
  • Do not reserve computers or study spaces with personal items as they may be removed.  Computers will automatically log out if left inactive for more than 30 minutes.

It is a disciplinary offence to allow someone else to use your smart card or login details!

Make sure you read the Student Computing at Queen's - Acceptable Use Guide. 

Evacuation and First Aid

Make yourself aware of the first aid points and evacuation procedures in all buildings.  In the case of an emergency, a continuous warning bell will ring and you should leave the building immediately.  Any accident or sudden illness should be reported to the Borrower Services Desk (if you are in one of the libraries) or to any member of staff and assistance will be provided.

IT Training

Training Materials

The IT Training and Assessment Unit have collated a wide range of training materials that are available to all students and staff to help them use IT in ways which make them more effective and efficient in their work and studies, SMART workers!

Workbooks and exercises (Office 2021, SharePoint and others) developed by Queen's staff are available from the  IT Training Unit Sharepoint site. All staff members and students have automatic access using their Queen's Online credentials. More information about IT Training can be found at IT Training and Accreditation and IT Training Courses.

Postgraduate Research students may attend IT courses as part of the Researcher Development Programme (PRDP). Courses are also offered to Postgraduate Taught students, contact pg.centre@qub.ac.uk for more details.

ICDL

The International Certification of Digital Literacy (ICDL) is an internationally recognised qualification.  Queen's University is an accredited ICDL test centre, operated by the IT Training and Assessment Unit, and offers ICDL and ICDL Advanced to current staff and students. Find out more about it at ICDL/ICDL Advanced.

Printing, Copying and Scanning

Information Services provides printing, copying and scanning facilities, in full colour and black & white (mono) across campus.

Known as multifunctional devices (MFDs) they are available in all student computing areas, typically the libraries and Peter Froggatt Centre (PFC) and in selected staff areas.  All library and PFC MFDs are colour capable.

Undergraduate and PGT students pay for printing and copying, scanning is free of charge.  UG and PGT students must have sufficient credit on their PaperCut account before they can access the service.  Any MFD can be used by staff or students. 

More details is available on our Printing, Copying and Scanning page. 

Protecting your data and your device

Cyber security is how staff, students and Queen's University Belfast, working together, reduce the risk of cyber-attack.  Cyber security's core function is to protect the devices we all use (laptops, computer, tablet and smartphones), and the services we access, from malicious attacks. It's also about preventing unauthorised access to the vast amounts of information we work with on a daily basis.

For latest information on cyber security visit Get Safe Online.

For more information on how Queen's recommends you protect your device, as well as advice on password management, please visit our page on Cyber Security. Please also take the time to ensure you have read the Security Policies and Acceptable Use Guidance. 

Reduced price software

Queen's Students can purchase software and other products direct from suppliers at reduced prices:

‌Note: These promotions are operated by third party suppliers and Queen's University accepts no responsibility for the content of links to external websites or products purchased from external sites.  Listing and linking should not be taken to be an endorsement of the products or companies.

Saving your work

Microsoft OneDrive

All students have secure personal storage allocation of 20GB on OneDrive in the Office 365 Cloud.  You can access OneDrive from any device, share your files and synchronise OneDrive with your laptop or home PC - see Microsoft 365 @ Queen's for more information. Students also have personal space on the Queen's Q: Drive which they can use on campus.  Make sure you save your work before you log out.

USB Storage

Data transfer using USB devices is blocked (that is the ability to read and write, copy, move or execute files) via USB ports on student computing PCs.  

Student computers affected includes those located in all libraries and common Student Computing Areas:
The McClay Library, Biomedical Library Medical Biology Centre (MBC) & Medical LIbrary at Royal Victoria Hospital, QUB Accommodation, Student Guidance Centre, AFBI Library (AFBI HQ, Newforge), QUB library laptop loans
All common Student Computing Areas, including, PFC Floor 3, The Graduate School and INTO @ Queen’s.

Malware and Virus Prevention

USB devices, such as pen drives, can be a vector for malware and viruses. Blocking USB data transfer can reduce the risk of malware spreading from infected USB devices to the University network.

Retrieving Data from USB Device

If students need to retrieve data from a USB device (pen drive, external hard disk etc.), if on campus, contact the IT Service Desk on the Ground Floor of the McClay Library or the MBC. Computer Assistants.  They can assist with uploading your desired content from your USB device to your Queen’s OneDrive account.

If at home, or off-campus, access OneDrive from office.com and sign in with your student credentials. You will be able to upload new files to your OneDrive, which will then become retrievable from any PC/device with internet access. See Upload and save files and folders to OneDrive - Microsoft Support

Current Purpose of USB Ports

While data transfer is blocked, users can still use the ports to charge their devices, and in some cases, use USB headphones where a data connection is not required.

Student Email Service

Students can login Microsoft Outlook or the Queen's Online Mobile App to access their Queen's email. You will need your student number and password to log in.  

NOTE: You cannot automatically forward emails from your Queen's account to another email account.

You are required to read and use your QUB email account to communicate, and receive communication from the University. Please read this good advice about writing emails in an article by Corrigan Paul T, Hunt McNabb, Cameron (2015) "Re: Your Recent Email to Your Professor".

Email Address Format
Student email addresses are generated by adding the first letter of each of the student’s given names to the student’s family name and adding to this a 2 digit number. Examples of student email addresses are as follows:


If you get offensive email
If you receive email, the content of which is offensive, threatening, obscene or otherwise "harmful" then do not respond to it, rather report the matter to abuse@qub.ac.uk Please remember to retain the message for investigation.

Student Computing Areas

The Student Computing Areas (SCAs) situated throughout campus offer computers and space for independent study or to work on assignments. 

Computer Assistants are available to support staff/students in these computer areas throughout the University.  These assistants are easily accessible and conveniently located to deal with front line computer related queries at the busiest periods during the day.

Students should also take note of the information which is regularly uploaded on to plasma screens and computer screensavers in the Student Computer Areas.  This information will highlight new IT facilities, promote good IT practices, advertise student activities etc.   

Bookable Group Study Rooms are located in The McClay Library, Biomedical Library (MBC) and Medical Library (RVH). They are all  equipped with a PC and whiteboard.   

This table shows the usual opening times of the SCAs during semester. These are subject to change. Please check the notices in the libraries and SCAs for details of the current opening hours. 

Check out the library pages for information on library opening times during and outside Semester. 

Note that if there are no available spaces or PCs in the McClay library, please avail of those in the other Student Computing Areas.

BUILDING/STUDENT COMPUTING AREAS LOCATION SOFTWARE AND STUDY SPACES
The McClay Library 10 College Park (beside Botanic Gardens entrance)

Student Computer PCs - List of Applications 

Other software may be available within your School - contact your School Computing Officer for advice. 

Alternatively, the applications available on the SCA PCs is also available, plus more, via Queen's Student Desktop. 

Note: Students are not permitted to install software on the PCs in the SCAs.

Check out the Study Spaces in Each Building.
Peter Froggat Centre Quadrangle, Main Campus
Medical Biology Centre Lisburn Road, opposite Elmwood Ave
Medical Library Mulhouse Building, Royal Victoria Hospital

Assistive Technology is available for students with disabilities and additional support is also provided by the Library.

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