Your IT Account
You are given an IT account when you join the University, as part of your registration as a student.
You need to log on frequently - several times a week - to check your email, because that's one of our main ways of communicating with you. If you are not receiving the messages addressed to your year of Mathematics students, tell the Taught Programmes Office (so that they can check you are a member of the alias used).
If you forward your University email to another account (e.g. gmail) then it is your responsibility to make sure that you are still receiving important emails from the department and they are not being deleted as spam.
Recommended IT specifications
During the 2024/25 academic year and beyond, students will need a personal computer. Warwick has good quality IT workspaces and computing labs on campus and the university has produced central guidance on the recommended specification for any device students use to undertake their academic work.
The university recommends a laptop for portability, as you may need it on campus, in residences and at home during term time and holidays. Devices must support Microsoft 365 and Office (or equivalent), Microsoft TeamsLink opens in a new window and MoodleLink opens in a new window.
The university is keen to stress to students that it is not essential to buy a new device to study at Warwick – a reliable laptop that is less than three years old is likely to be sufficient. For older laptops, the university advises students to check their specification (going to System > Settings). To find out more and read the full recommended technical specification for student devices, please check the IT services websiteLink opens in a new window.
IT support via the Information & Digital Group (IDG)
IDG provide the essential resources and support necessary to give all students access to information technology services and support. If students have problems with IT related issues, IDG provide a dedicated Service Desk. Students can go to the drop-in centre on the 1st floor of the Library building (Monday to Friday, 10am-2.30pm), or use the Self-Service Portal. IDG also provides support for personal computer-related issues such as slow performance, removing viruses, replacing hardware and assisting with file recovery.
For more information on how to get help from the Service Desk, please read our Knowledge Base articleLink opens in a new window.
Every student, with the exception of those students on courses at partner institutions which are validated by the University, is entitled to register to use the services provided by IDG which can be accessed from anywhere on campus. Information for new students, including setting up an account, accessing the network from on and off campus, using Microsoft 365 and purchasing computers is available onlineLink opens in a new window. IDG also produce information on acceptable use of University IT facilities for students and staffLink opens in a new window.
The full Knowledge Base can be exploredLink opens in a new window whenever you need it.
The digital training service provided by IDG is available to all University students to facilitate students to work more effectively with services and applications delivered by IDG on LinkedIn LearningLink opens in a new window.
IDG provides a number of open access work areas across Gibbet Hill, Westwood and main campuses, accessible to all students, and the University provides student residences with a network connection and access to wireless. For further information on the wireless Network Service, please see our wifi pageLink opens in a new window.
LaTeX
We give you every encouragement to use a word-processors, for example writing essays, for assessed work in other departments, and for business letters such as job applications. But there are also specialised packages for writing mathematics.
The best way to typeset your work is using TeX, which (together with its macro packages LaTeX and AMSTeX) is now the standard computer language for typesetting mathematics, and will be around in the scientific world for decades to come. You input a text file of Roman letters, describing mathematical symbols and components of equations in terms of control sequences (such as \alpha or \matrix), which is typeset by TeX and written to a file which can be printed out. The majority of printed lecture notes and assignment sheets will be typeset by LaTeX.
The manuals on LaTeX by L. Lamport, and on Word, are available in the SRC in the Library and there are many introductory webpages on getting started with LaTeX online. Beware of spending too much time learning the intricacies of your chosen system. It may be fun, even addictive, but it is not mathematics.
Please also see resources given in the Second Year Essay pages for other places to get help.
Keep backups of any important work that you store on your computer/laptop/tablet. If you lose work through theft of your device or software/hardware faults you will not be able to ask for extensions or special dispensation. These days backing up is easy through memory sticks, online storage or simply emailing it to yourself. There is no excuse.
A good source on style in mathematical writing is Steven G. Krantz, A primer of mathematical writing. For a good cheap readable book of English grammar for reference, try W. Struik and E.B. White, The Elements of Style.
Use of AI
Use of AI is covered under the Academic Integrity section of this handbook.