SCEM Technical Overview

Introduction
The School currently maintains computer laboratories at its Campbelltown, Parramatta and Penrith sites. All of the School’s computers are linked to the university’s computing network, and via that, to the Internet. In order to use the School’s computer equipment, students must register for a computer account with the School. The School only provides computer accounts to those students enrolled in courses or subjects taught by the School.

Account Registration
A SCEM computer account is automatically created for all new SCEM students before the start of each semester. If you have not received an email regarding your SCEM computer account, you can create one by logging into one of the School’s laboratory PCs as register (password register), and following the directions on screen. Once you register, your account details (username, password & information on how you can change your password) will be emailed to your Western Sydney University email account. You can check your student email via https://email.westernsydney.edu.au

Computer Laboratories and Assistance
Campbelltown
6.G.01 – PC lab
6.G.18 – Specialist lab for networking units
6.G.19 – Mac lab
Hours of operation: 9am – 6pm Monday – Friday during semester.
Assistance: Please call 02 9852 5111 to speak to the Universty’s IT ServiceDesk

Parramatta
EB.1.30 – PC lab
EB.1.31 – Specialist lab for networking units
EB.1.46 – PC Lab
EB.1.47 – Mac Lab
EB.1.48 – PC lab
EB.1.50 – Mac lab
Hours of operation: 8am – 10pm Monday – Friday during semester.
Assistance: Room EB.1.49, 8am – 8pm Monday to Friday during semester. Out of semester, please call 02 9852 5111 to speak to the University’s IT ServiceDesk.

Penrith
XA.1.03 – PC lab
XB.G.02 – Specialist lab for mechatronic units
XB.1.02 – PC lab
Y.1.08 – Specialist lab for networking units
Y.1.15 – PC lab
Y.2.27 – Mac lab
Y.2.28 – Open access PC lab
Y.2.41 – PC lab
Y.2.42 – PC lab
Z.G.52 – Mac lab

Hours of operation: 8am – 10pm Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm on weekends during semester.
Assistance: Room Y.2.36, 8am – 6pm Monday to Friday during semester. Out of semester, please call 02 9852 5111 to speak to the University’s IT ServiceDesk.

All laboratories are closed on public holidays, and selected laboratories are open 9am – 6pm during university holidays.

Passwords
Your password is the key to your computer account, and so to preserve the integrity of your account, your password:

Must be at least eight (8) characters in length and at most sixteen (16) characters in length. Those characters can be letters, numbers, or punctuation marks of some kind.
Must not be one of your last ten (10) passwords.
Should not be a word, a phone number, a name, a place, or anything else easily guessed by others.
should contain non-alphanumeric characters eg. & , . / ; ‘ % # etc.

A good method of selecting a password is to use the beginning letters of a phrase, and put punctuation in it. That way you will remember it, and you will not have to write it down.

For example: Ilegeah! for “I like eating green eggs and ham!”.

Keep in mind that a system only knows you via your account password. Anyone who captures your password has whatever system privileges and access to data that you do. The vast majority of system penetrations occur through carelessness or through trickery. Never run any program whose origin you are not absolutely certain – in addition to doing what it purports, it could also silently make a way for someone to masquerade as you and gain access to the system using your account. You should never go away and leave a logged-in computer.

You should change your password before the end of each semester as passwords expire after 6 months. It is highly recommended that you change your password before it expires as once your password has expired you will be unable to log in. You will then have to contact the School’s technical staff and ask to have your password changed (please bring your student ID card with you). To change your password, go to the Student Support page.

Rules and Guidelines on the use of Computing and Network Facilities at Western Sydney University
Every student who uses the University’s computing facilities must read
https://westernaccount.westernsydney.edu.au/termsOfUse.asp?source=link, as this explains what is considered unacceptable behaviour whilst using the University computers. Penalties for breaching these rules can be quite severe (including suspension from University for up to three semesters!).