WELCOME TO THE COURSE
Welcome to the course Geographic Information Systems, where we will delve into analysis of geographic information and creating effective maps! My name is Lina Polvi Sjöberg and I am the course coordinator and one of the instructors on the course. On this page you will find important and useful information for the course, so please read it carefully. This course will be held in English. If you have any questions, please contact me at lina.polvi@umu.se. I look forward to meeting you in January!
As a new student, you need to activate your user account (your Umu-id) approximately two weeks prior to the start of the semester.
With your user account you can:
If you are a new student, you will automatically receive a user account when you are admitted, but you will need to activate it for it to function properly. You will not be able to activate it until approximately two weeks prior to the start of the semester.
Install MFA for a more secure login
To increase security and reduce the risk of unauthorised access to your information or account, students must enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) to log in to various systems, such as Canvas and the Student Web.
I want to activate my user account and install MFA
If you are an exchange student or tuition fee paying student, you will receive an email with instructions on how to activate your account.
If you are having problems activating your account or logging in, please contact our Servicedesk. You will find answers to common questions, and can submit enquiries.
When you have replied to the Notification of Selection you need to register for the course in the Student web. Online registration is open between January 8 to 22. It is important that you sign in to the Student web and register during this time period.
If you are unable to attend the course we would be most grateful if you could notify universityadmissions.se. There are many students who have applied for the course, so if you are accepted and decide not to take the course, it would be appreciated if you could send an e-mail to lina.polvi@umu.se before the course starts.
In order to access the central IT systems (Student web, Canvas) at Umeå University you need a user account. Please find more information about how you receive a user account under "New at Umeå University".
The course starts with an introduction to the course, as well as a lecture on GIS basics, on Tuesday, January 15th (the entire schedule will be available one month before the course start). If for any reason you cannot attend the introduction, you must inform me in advance at lina.polvi@umu.se; otherwise you will lose your spot in the course. There are many students who have applied for the course, so if you are accepted and decide not to take the course, it would be appreciated if you could notify me by e-mail before the course starts.
Checklist for admitted students
Follow this simple list of things to complete your enrolment at Umeå University. It includes: how to secure housing, getting a residence permit (for citizens from outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland), tuition payment (if applicable), travel directions and more.
The Student web
The website for current students has all sorts of information about services, support, legal and practical matters at Umeå University. You can sign in to the learning platforms, see your schedule and course overview, get a study certificate, apply for a degree or sign up for an examination.
Recommended arrival times
International students are recommended to arrive at least a few days before the start of the regular semester, preferably prior to the Orientation. If you fail to arrive on time, you have to contact the study counselor as soon as possible, but no later than one week ahead of the course start, or you may not be able to register for the programme or course.
If you will have student housing through the Housing Office at Umeå University you will receive information about your arrival in your offer of housing.
Don't forget - Umeå has cold winters, so pack accordingly with a warm jacket, warm shoes, gloves and hat.
Orientation
Moving to a new country with an unfamiliar language, culture and customs can be a challenge. We would like to help you and ease that challenge so that you can focus on your studies. Therefore, we would like to offer you the possibility to take part in our Orientation, which begins a few days before the start of the semester (Autumn) or the same day as the semester starts (Spring).
Welcome Fair
Are you a new student at Umeå University? Visit the Welcome Fair – a perfect opportunity to learn what our university and Umeå can offer. The fair normally takes place in the beginning of each semester.
Get your UmU card
When you are on Campus Umeå, Umeå Arts Campus or Campus Örnsköldsvik, you will need a UmU card. The card has the following functions:
To get the card, you need to apply for it. Here’s how to apply for the UmU card.
Join a student union
There are three student unions at Umeå University:
They are actively involved so that fellow students have a high quality of education, good working environment, and fun leisure time.
Access to Microsoft Office 365
Students at Umeå University have free access to the programmes of Microsoft Office 365. This means that you have access to Teams, Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Whiteboard Forms, your student email and other services which can facilitate your studies and your collaboration with other students. To access Office 365 you need to activate your UmU-id.
Learn more about Office 365 and how to install it on your computer