UMUC

School of Undergraduate Studies

Getting Started

Educational Computing Initiative (ECI)

he Educational Computing Initiative (ECI) is a partnership with leading manufacturers and the University System of Maryland (USM) to offer discounts on personal purchases of high-quality desktop and laptop computers for students, faculty, and staff, in a price structure that offers the best possible value.

Other Resources

  • The University of Maryland, College Park bookstore located in the Stamp Student Union offers a wide variety of computer software and hardware. For complete information, check out the Web site at University Book Center.

  • There are a variety of places on the Web that offer good discounts on software. Two of them are listed below.

Internet Service Provider (ISP)

ISPs offer direct access to the World Wide Web via the Internet, provide e-mail accounts, and allow customers to publish and store their own Web pages on their servers. They charge either a flat fee or according to the amount of time spent online (the way telephone companies bill for calls).

Both UMUC's WebTycho Help and UMUC's Office of Information Technology have information that can assist you in selecting an internet service provider.

Browsers

A browser is software that enables computer users to access and navigate the World Wide Web and, usually, to copy and print materials as well as download information. The two most popular browsers are:

Look for additional information about browsers that are compatible with WebTycho at WebTycho Help - Browsers and Settings.

E-mail Accounts

Personal computer accounts are created on UMUC's UNIX system, Polaris. The accounts stay active as long as you are an active member of the UMUC faculty. The UNIX account may be used to store files as well as to provide a standard UMUC e-mail address.

Create a Personal UNIX Account

One caution: the UNIX system will request that you change your password every 90 days.

Change Your UNIX Password

If you do not remember your password or you need to change it before the system requests, use the directions found here.

UMUC - Computing Resources

View the UNIX User's Guide for instructions on using your UNIX account. You'll also find instructions for creating a Web page and a list of frequency asked questions.

Personal Identification Number (PIN)

Faculty are provided with a PIN as soon as they have been assigned a course to teach. If you have not received your PIN, send an e-mail to Faculty and Distance Education Services (FDES) requesting your UMUC Faculty PIN.

The PIN is used to access the Interactive Faculty Information System (IFIS) and to create an account on the UMUC UNIX system.

Interactive Faculty Information System (IFIS)

Using IFIS, faculty are able to view and print class lists, update personal information, submit grades, change grades, approve/deny makeup exam requests, locate information regarding course materials, and access UMUC's Guide to Writing and Research. All transactions on IFIS take place through our secure server.

Access IFIS

  • Start at the UMUC Home page.
  • Click on Faculty.
  • Click on IFIS (Interactive Faculty Information System)
  • Enter your Social Security number and your PIN to log in to the system.

IFIS Menu

  • Change of Address/Phone/E-mail
  • Class List
  • Course Materials
  • DE Final Exam
  • Electronic Grade Roll
  • Electronic Grade Change/Missing Grade
  • Guide to Writing and Research
  • Identify At Risk Students
  • Makeup Exams Requests
  • Prior Learning Evaluator
  • Prior Learning Instructor
  • Submit/Revise Biography
  • UMUC Speakers' Bureau questionnaire

Grades

All grades are submitted electronically through the Interactive Faculty Information System (IFIS). Submitting grades in a timely fashion is extremely important.

Detailed instructions on how to use the electronic gradebook for both submitting grades and changing grades can be located at Electronic Grade Roll.

Academic Support Program

Please refer to Academic Support Program.

Help and Support

UMUC provides a variety of resources to help faculty with their technology questions.

Resource Contact Information
Instructional Technology instructionaltech@umuc.edu
Academic Director  Academic Discipline Contacts
Faculty Services and WebTycho UMUC 360 Support can help answer your Tycho, MyUMUC and other learning applications questions. Technical support is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year via self-help, phone, and chat. Contact UMUC 360 Support at http://support.umuc.edu or call 1-888-360-UMUC (8682).