UC Davis Information & Educational Technology

Utilizing Computers for Your Classwork

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Learn to Use MyUCDavis

Here are just a few features available to you through MyUCDavis. Head to http://my.ucdavis.edu/ to try it out.

Utilize Course Mailing Lists
If your professor has chosen to set up a course mailing list, you may use it to pose questions or contact your classmates. Simply select the class from the "My Classes" tab and click on "Mailing List."

Search For Your Course Web Site
Unsure if there is a Web site for your class? Click on the "My Classes" tab and then the "All Courses" link next to the CRN of that class, which is listed on the right side of the page. This allows you to search for Web sites specific to course.

Register For Classes Online
Register for classes by clicking on "Student Services" tab and selecting Sisweb. You will be prompted to sign into Sisweb, and then you can register for classes or manage your financial aid online!

Share Files With MySpace
MySpace is MyUCDavis' file transfer and sharing medium. Select the "My Tools" option and then click MySpace. You can upload files such as essays, lecture notes, and music to transfer between computers or share with your friends.

Check Your Email
Along with reading the latest news and getting the weather forecast, you can check your campus email. Go to the "My Tools" tab and select email, or just click on the email icon at the top of the screen.

Learn the Copyrights and Wrongs


Copyright FAQ: How can I download music legally?

How do I avoid copyright infringement? How do I register a copyright? And more...
http://www.ucop.edu/ott/faculty/crprimr.html

Read the Latest Plagiarism Info

Avoiding Plagiarism: A Student Judicial Affairs Guide

Get Your Plagiarism Questions Answered

  • Most plagiarism cases involve stealing information out of books.
    False! Approximately 150 cases of plagiarism a year are referred to Student Judicial Affairs: at least half of these plagiarism cases involve the Internet.

  • The Internet, when used with caution, can be a useful source of information.
    True! The Internet has become a major source of research for many students, but not all Web sites are created equal; some are more reliable than others. To be sure, check out the Librarians' Index to the Internet, a database that filters out "junk" information from the Web. But before referring to the Internet, it's a good idea to take advantage of resources like the online library catalogs on the Shields Library home page.

  • You must give the source of another person's work whether that source is a published text, Web site, interview, public presentation, film, or other expression.
    True!

  • One needs only to cite information taken from the Internet when it is from an academic journal.
    False! Always cite any information you take from the Internet. It's a good idea to print out a copy of the site if you need to provide it later, in case the Web site changes or the link becomes inactive.

  • If you plagiarize off some obscure Web site, no one will ever know.
    False! Advancements in technology have enabled instructors to use plagiarism detection systems, such as that of Turnitin.com, in which your paper is scanned and compared with other documents on the Internet. If a particular phrase in your paper looks suspicious, instructors need simply to type that phrase in a search engine to check for plagiarism.

  • If you are using Internet sources, the best way to avoid plagiarism is to copy and paste the material into a word document and then cite it.
    False! Take notes of your sources, rather than cutting and pasting material from the Internet. Keep track whenever you take a direct quote, so that you don't forget this when you write your paper. Forcing yourself to put someone else's ideas in your own words strengthens your writing skills.

  • Citation is not necessary if you are using artwork for an assignment.
    False! Another person's work means more than just the person's writing. It also includes a person's artwork, graphs, research strategy, or ideas.

*If you are still uncertain how to avoid plagiarism, you can also ask your instructor, visit a writing specialist at the Learning Skills Center, or ask a librarian.

Cite Sources Correctly