You must complete all readiness checks below before beginning Week 1. If you cannot check all boxes, contact UMA IT Support immediately. Taking a few minutes now will save you hours of frustration later—we promise it is worth it.
Welcome to CI2000 Computer Fundamentals! Before you dive into the course, let us make sure your computer and software are ready to go. This page walks you through everything step by step. There is no rush—take your time and work through each section carefully.
Verify Your Device
This course requires a Windows computer. iPads, Chromebooks, and Mac computers are NOT supported for this course. You must use a Windows PC or your UMA-provided laptop.
Go through the checklist below. For each item that applies to your setup, check the box. This is just for your own tracking—nothing is submitted or graded.
Do not worry—there are options available to you:
- UMA Laptop Program: UMA provides laptops to eligible students through the Laptop Program. If you have not already received yours, contact your Student Services advisor to check your eligibility and request one.
- UMA IT Support: Contact the UMA IT Help Desk at 1-888-895-3965 or email ITSupport@uma.edu. They can help you determine the best option for your situation.
- Temporary backup: As a short-term solution, many public libraries have Windows computers available for free use. However, this is not a long-term solution for the course—please reach out to UMA for a permanent option.
The most important thing is to reach out for help right away. Do not wait until assignments are due—the sooner you contact UMA, the sooner they can get you set up.
Activate Microsoft Office 365
You will use Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook throughout this course. UMA students receive Microsoft Office 365 for free through their student account. Follow these steps to make sure it is activated and working on your computer.
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Open any Microsoft Office application (Word, Excel, or PowerPoint) from the Start menu. Click the Windows Start button in the bottom-left corner of your screen, then type "Word" or "Excel" and click the application when it appears.
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If prompted to sign in, use your UMA email address (your.name@students.uma.edu). This is the same email you use to log into D2L Brightspace.
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If you see "Product Activation Required" or "Trial Expired," follow these steps:
- Click Activate or Sign In
- Enter your UMA student email address
- Enter your UMA student password
- Wait for activation to complete—this may take a minute or two
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Verify activation: Open Word, click File (top-left corner), then click Account (bottom of the left sidebar). You should see "Product Activated" or "Subscription Product: Microsoft 365". If you see this, you are all set!
UMA students receive Microsoft Office 365 for free through their student account. You do not need to purchase Office separately. If activation fails after following the steps above, contact UMA IT Support for help.
Office Activation Checklist
Quick Skills Verification
This course assumes you can do a few basic computer tasks. Do not worry if some of these are unfamiliar—that is exactly what the Foundations Quick Start guide is for. Try each task below and check the box if you can do it successfully.
If you could not complete three or more of these tasks, we strongly recommend reviewing the Foundations Quick Start before beginning Week 1. It covers all of these basics in a friendly, step-by-step format. There is no shame in brushing up—many students find it helpful!
👍 Ready to Go!
If you have checked all the boxes above, you are ready to begin CI2000! Your computer is set up, your software is activated, and you have the foundational skills to hit the ground running. Head to Week 1 to start your journey.
We recommend taking the optional Readiness Self-Check Quiz to confirm everything is in order. It is ungraded and takes just a few minutes.
Need Help?
If you run into any issues during setup, you are not alone. UMA has several support resources to help you get started:
- Phone: 1-888-895-3965
- Email: ITSupport@uma.edu
- Hours: Mon–Fri, 8 AM–10 PM ET
- Phone: 1-888-205-2510
- Portal: my.uma.edu
- Contact your advisor through D2L
Bookmark this page and return to it if you encounter any setup issues during the course. You can also access it anytime from the Course Home page.