Computing @ Mines
Computer Commons Main Entry Photo
Academic Computing & Networking, together with our colleagues in Information Services, provide and support a broad array of resources and services to support your computing needs. You will find that computing is integrated into the curriculum in both traditional and unique ways. Our computing environment can be a tool to help you be more productive and a vehicle to help you innovate and create. Read on for more information and then visit the Campus Computing, Communications & Information Technologies website. If you'd like to know more about computing resources and requirements for new students, read this FAQ.
Computing Commons Lab
Even if you bring your own computer, you'll still want to use the Computer Commons and other labs between classes to check your email, work on assignments, access special software, and work on projects with friends and classmates.
- Your residence hall room or campus apartment will have a fast network connection available for you to directly connect your computer to the Mines network.
- Wireless access is available throughout the residence halls, Mines Park and the main campus so you can connect "extra goodies" and be connected while you're on-the-go around campus.
- All students get an email account, along with accounts on central servers and the campus portal, Trailhead. Trailhead is your gateway to services such as registration, drop-add, scheduling and the Mines Emergency Alert System.
- A Computer Commons area with open lab computers is available for you to use between classes, in the evenings and on weekends. The computers there probably have the special software you might need for class and...
- you can print in black and white or color up to 11x17 (sorry, you gotta pay for printing)
- you can print posters for those presentations you'll be giving (yeah, gotta pay for these too)
- there are scanners and other kinds of special equipment you can use
- you can study with your friends or classmates in our study rooms
- you can bring your laptop and use the study tables or relax on the lounge furniture in the Commons
- you can get help with computer problems and questions from the student consultants and professional staff
- there are kiosks you can use to check your email or do a quick web search
- you can borrow a laptop for a short period if you're giving a presentation, traveling or your system is broken
- you can borrow a projector if you're giving a presentation in a room that doesn't have one
- beginning in January, 2009, you can go to the Einstein's Bagels shop near the Commons for a cup of coffee or a snack
- during the academic year the Commons is open until midnight from Sunday to Thursday, till six on Friday and five on Saturdays. Additional hours are added the week before final exams.
RA, CSM's High Performance Computer
- An open lab area in the Arthur Lakes Library is available with computers loaded with all the same software you'll find in the Computer Commons.
- Most computer teaching classrooms and many general classrooms have projectors, instructor computers, Smartboard™ electronic whiteboards, document cameras and other technologies to help enhance your learning experience.
- Introductory physics courses are taught in a "studio" format where students work in teams on structured activities in a well-equipped laboratory with the latest teaching tools.
- Many courses make use of online learning management systems such as Blackboard™ and LON-CAPA to complement in-class activities.
- If you want to supplement your in-class material for some courses, refresh your programming or spreadsheet skills, or just learn something new, over 2,000 online training courses and modules are available through our gateway to Skillport™. Word processing, C++ programming, project management, business skills....you decide.
- Most academic departments have computer labs and special resources that are appropriate for their programs.
- Mines installed a high performance computer (aka a supercomputer) during 2008 to conduct energy research and education. As of July 2008, it was rated the 133rd fastest computer in the world. Cool.
Come join the Mines community ... you'll like what you find.