Student Resources Overview

Welcome students, to the the College of Engineering and Computer Science (COECS). We are the Technology Services Group (TSG), and our team is dedicated to providing comprehensive IT support to all members of the college community.

This page provides you with some of the tools and services that you will need to get started at the College of Engineering and Computer Science.

Virtual Apps

Virtual Apps enable FAU students, faculty, and staff the flexibility of using the software anywhere in the world with an Internet connection.

To access virtual apps, visit https://apps.fau.edu/. 

After visiting the website, enter your FAU NetID and password, then accept the DUO mobile push.

For further help, visit the website below:

Virtual Apps Documentation

For any further questions or assistance, please contact us at help@eng.fau.edu or through our help ticket form.

Solidworks

Solidworks is a computer-aided design (CAD) software used for creating 3D models of parts and assemblies. It is commonly used by engineers, designers, and manufacturers to design and simulate products before they are physically produced.

Instructions for first installation on a personal computer:

1. Email us at help@eng.fau.edu and request the student Solidworks serial number.
2. Once we provide you with the serial number visit: https://www.solidworks.com/SEK
3. Enter your contact information, make sure to use your FAU email, and select the SolidWorks version you wish to use. The license code we provide will work for both versions.
4. On the next screen select "Accept and Continue"
5. On the next screen select "Download"
6. Once the "SolidworksSetup.exe" is downloaded run it and unzip the installer.
7. Once unzipped run the "setup.exe" file.
8. Select "Install on this computer" and click next.
9. On the next screen of the installation package it will ask for a serial number, it is at this point you should use the student serial number we provided you in the SOLIDWORKS box under 3D Design then click next.
10. On the next screen you may select what products you wish to download, and where you wish to install solidworks. Once you decide these options check "I accept the terms of the SOLIDWORKS" and click "Download and Install".

To update the license of a previous Solidworks install, you need to reset your installation by doing the following:

1. Email us at help@eng.fau.edu and request the student Solidworks serial number.
2. Go to Control Panel > Programs and Features.
3. Select SolidWorks and click on Change.
4. In the GUI that opens, select Modify the individual installation.
5. Enter the new serial number.
6. Click through Next to the end.
7. Click Modify now.
8. Now relaunch SolidWorks.

MATLAB

Use MATLAB for math and computation, algorithm development, modeling, simulation, and prototyping, data analysis, exploration, and visualization, scientific and engineering graphics, application development, including Graphical User Interface building.

You can install MATLAB on your personal Windows or MAC computers by using your FAU NetID.

1. Visit this website and select Sign in to get started: Mathworks
2. After you signed in with your FAUNet ID and password, select Sign in with MathWorks account
3. At this point you will need to create a MathWorks account using your FAU email.
4. After logging in you should see a Download for Windows/Mac button to start downloading Matlab.

You will have access to Matlab as long as you are a student or faculty at FAU.

Ansys

Ansys Mechanical is a finite element analysis (FEA) software used to perform structural analysis using advanced solver options, including linear dynamics, nonlinearities, thermal analysis, materials, composites, hydrodynamic, explicit, and more.

You can install Ansys Student Version on your personal Windows computer using your FAUNetID.

Ansys Download

Microsoft Advantage

FAU is now participating in the Microsoft Advantage program, which provides the latest full versions of Microsoft Office to all students, faculty and staff members free of charge. Office 365 includes the latest version of Word, Excel, Lync, PowerPoint, OneNote, Publisher and more. As long as you are an FAU student, faculty member, or staff member, you'll be able to use this software for free on your personal computers/devices.

What to Know Before You Install Office 365

• To access and activate your Office 365, subscription use your FAUNetID and password.
• Office 365 will be deactivated once you leave FAU. This includes OneDrive access.
• OneDrive is only available while you maintain an active student or employee status.
• To install Office, you will need to be logged into the computer as an administrator.
• Download iPhone/iPad/Tablet/smartphones from the App store and activate with FAU email and password. The Apps will maintain the ability to read documents after your FAU activation expires.

How to Install Office 365

1. Visit https://www.microsoft365.com/
2. Select Sign In and enter your FAU email
3. On the FAU login page enter your FAUNet ID and FAU Password
4. Accept the DUO Mobile Push
5. Once logged in, click "Install apps" and "Microsoft 365 apps" in the top left of the screen
6. Once the installer is downloaded, run it and you will have installed all Microsoft 365 applications

Cloud and Network Drives

Cloud Drives

There are 2 options for online cloud storage, OneDrive and Google Drive.  Both are available, and accessed using your FAU account. Due to Google's recent policy changes, we advise to utilize OneDrive.

Minimum and Recommended Computer Configurations

For the College of Engineering and Computer Science, some classes will require the use of software that exclusively runs on Windows. For example, CAD and simulation software like Solidworks and Ansys which do not run on MacOS.

If your major is within either department listed below, you will be using Windows only software very often:

• Civil, Environmental, & Geomatics Engineering (CEGE)
• Ocean & Mechanical Engineering (OME)

The College of Engineering and Computer Science does offer access to almost all required software through our platform VMWare. While VMWare provides the required software, students will be unable to install new software or modify existing software within VMWare.

The university also offers all Microsoft Office 365 products for free for all students (Word, Excel, etc). For information on how to install these applications, see above.

Windows OS - Minimum Device Requirements

• Processor: AMD Ryzen 7000 series or newer, or Intel i7/i9 10000 series or newer
• Disk Space: 256GB SSD minimum, 1TB NVMe SSD recommended. No Non-SSD or Hybrid drives are recommended
• Memory (RAM):  16 GB minimum.
• Operating System: Windows 10 or higher.

Mac OS (Apple) - Minimum Device Requirements

• Processor: M1 Chip or better recommended.
• Disk Space: 256 GB SSD storage drive or more recommended.
• Memory (RAM): 16GB minimum.
• Operating System: macOS 11 or later versions recommended.

FAU General PC Recommendations