Welcome
The Computing and Information Systems group provides computer support and technology solutions for Physics & Astronomy department faculty, students, and staff. This website is the starting point for questions regarding your workstation, software, or other technical concerns.
General hours are Monday through Friday from 9am to 5pm. For help accessing e-mail, connecting to department resources, or other common questions, please see our database of tutorial articles by clicking "How-To Articles" in the main menu above. If your question is not answered by a tutorial article, please submit a support request by sending an email to helpdesk@pa.ucla.edu.
Are you new to Physics & Astronomy?
If you're a new faculty or staff member, this page will help guide you on subjects such as email setup, VPN, web development, computer hardware and software, and UCLA computing resources.
UCLA's transformation from Moodle to Canvas
UCLA is known for its commitment to providing students with a learning environment and curriculum that engages them with the knowledge and skills that will prepare them for future success. With this in mind, UCLA is implementing a new LMS that will:
- Create a solution for faculty and students that prioritizes pedagogical and academic needs, elevating the teaching and learning experience
- Provide an equitable, consistent and engaging academic experience, cultivating a community of collaboration and promoting a culture of continuous innovation.
Check the LMS Transformation website, Bruin Learn, for schedules, training, and updates.
Click here for BruinLearn resources.
How to keep your email account safe
It's become more common these days for computer account hackers to try to hijack email accounts. Typical methods involve sending you an "official-looking" email to ask for your account information, such as your login ID and especially your password. Or sometimes the email suggests your account is full and asks you to click a link to access your email.
Are you a student? Read about some scams that particularly target students.
More recently hackers have become creative. Have you received an email that asks you to click on a link to confirm an upcoming shipment...one that you are definitely not expecting?
Did you receive an email asking you to click on a link to upgrade your email account, claiming that if you don't, your account will be suspended?
Or how about a veiled attempt at extortion, claiming that compromising video of you will be made public unless you pay a "ransom" in bitcoins or some other questionable currency?
If you're a student, has someone contacted you about hiring you for a service and wants to pay you with a check that's more than you're charging them? Are they urging you to deposit it and sent them the balance?
These are all scams, and they're common. Each of them hopes to trick you into clicking on a link where you'll be prompted to share your password or your login credentials to other sites.
Don't fall for these tricks!
You can avoid these attempts when you read this guide to help you distinguish safe emails from dangerous ones...and never send your password to anyone in an email.