FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions
- What is COSMOS?
- What is Matrix?
- Do I need special software to run COSMOS?
- What are the minimum computer requirements?
- Who do I contact for additional help with my computer settings?
- How do I connect to COSMOS?
- How do I get an account (username and password) to COSMOS?
- How do I get my COSMOS password reset?
- What is COSMOS on Call?
- My department uses Macs, can I run COSMOS?
- What functions are currently on COSMOS?
- I need to register a student for a course in my department, is that done using COSMOS?
- Can I find course offerings and a student's class schedule using COSMOS?
- I need to look at a student's bill, is that done using COSMOS?
- A pop-up box has prompted me to download a Num Edit control, what should I do?
- How do I install or reinstall the Mask Num Edit control?
- It looks like I'm "missing" data and/or fields on my COSMOS screen(s). For example, I'm unable to view the same data that my colleague in another department can view but we're using the same role. What should I do?
1. What is COSMOS?
COSMOS is the UA's name for the current student information system. COSMOS works in conjunction with the legacy Student Information System (SIS).
2. What is Matrix?
Matrix is the name of the software. Produced by SunGard SCT Inc., built on Microsoft technologies, it is called SCT Matrix Student Suite. The SCT Matrix Student Suite is used to develop the current student system we call COSMOS.
Note: It is not uncommon to hear the terms "Matrix" and "COSMOS" used interchangeably when referring to the current student information system.
3. Do I need special software to run COSMOS?
Matrix applications expect certain settings and software to be present on your computer. Verify your settings against the Baseline Client Configuration table below or from the "Checklist" on the COSMOS home page, online at https://cosmos.arizona.edu. COSMOS may not work correctly if you log in before setting the minimum computer requirements.
If you are using Internet Explorer 7.0, click the IE 7 Notes link on the COSMOS home page to read important configuration information and other notes pertaining to IE 7.
If you are using a Macintosh computer you'll need PC emulation software, like Virtual PC. Emulation software makes it possible for you to access PC only software, files, and networks.
4. What are the 'minimum' computer requirements?
The table below shows the baseline hardware and software requirements as provided by SunGard SCT.
| Baseline Client Configuration | |
| Operating Systems |
|
| Other Software |
|
| Processor | Pentium III 800 Mhz or faster (recommended) |
| Memory | 512 MB RAM (recommended) |
| Disk | 200 MB or more free space |
| Network Interface | 10/100 Ethernet [REQUIRED] |
| Monitor |
|
| Other | CD-ROM drive (recommended) |
If you are using Internet Explorer 7.0, click the IE 7 Notes link on the COSMOS home page to read important configuration information and other notes pertaining to IE 7.
5. Who do I contact for additional help with my computer settings?
Contact your department network administrator for assistance. For more in depth information on setting up a COSMOS client workstation, network administrators can download the COSMOS Power User Deployment Guide (zipped Word document).
6. How do I connect to COSMOS?
Using Internet Explorer on your PC, go to https://cosmos.arizona.edu. You must have a COSMOS account (user name and password) to log in. More information on COSMOS account access is available.
7. How do I get an account (username and password) to COSMOS?
See the COSMOS Access page in this site for more details.
8. How do I get my COSMOS password reset?
Contact the Administrative and Instructional Support Office
MLK Building, Room 207
Phone: 520-626-5324
Fax: 520-626-2805
Email: cuac@arizona.edu
9. What is COSMOS on Call?
COSMOS On Call is a UITS staffed triage that can troubleshoot system problems with COSMOS applications, such as system locks and error messages.
COSMOS On Call is available by dialing 626-8324 during normal business hours, or by dialing 621-2971 outside normal business hours
- See the checklist of information required for every call before contacting COSMOS On Call.
- COSMOS On Call does not handle procedural questions, requests for access or material that was covered in training. Software and hardware requirement questions should be directed to the employees department network administrator.
10. My department uses Macs, can I run COSMOS?
COSMOS is a Microsoft certified product. It is designed to work in a PC environment. If you have a PC emulator, like Virtual PC, and are running Internet Explorer 6.0 (SP1) or higher then you can run COSMOS on a Mac.
11. What functions are currently on COSMOS?
- All biographic and demographic student information
- Undergraduate admissions data from Summer I 2004 and forward
- All Graduate admissions data from Spring 2003 and forward
- All Financial Aid awarding and disbursement data from the 2003-2004 award year and forward
12. I need to register a student for a course in my department, is that done using COSMOS?
Registration still resides on SIS. Department and college representatives continue to register their students using the registration screens in SIS. See the Add/Drop Courses via SIS page for more information.
13. Can I find course offerings and a student's class schedule using COSMOS?
Course offering information and student class schedules reside on SIS. More information regarding SIS Access is available.
14. I need to look at a student's bill, is that done using COSMOS?
Bursar functions (i.e. billing) still reside on SIS. More information regarding SIS Access is available.
15. A pop-up box has prompted me to download a Num Edit control, what should I do?
Install the control by following the prompts. Typically, the most common problem is people not having the latest version of the control installed. As a result, the data it controls (i.e. SSN, $ amounts) fails to show up on the screen. More information is available in the Mask Num Edit Troubleshooting Word document.
16. How do I install or reinstall the Mask Num Edit control?
Follow the steps outlined in the Mask Num Edit Troubleshooting Word document.
17. It looks like I'm "missing" data and/or fields on my COSMOS screen(s). For example, I'm unable to view the same data that my colleague in another department can view but we're using the same role. What should I do?
- Check your client configurations for the minimum computer requirements. These requirements can be accessed from the "Checklist" on the COSMOS login page, online at https://cosmos.arizona.edu
- In most cases, your monitors screen resolution isn't set to 1024x768 or higher as REQUIRED.
- Be sure you have the latest version of the Mask Num Edit control installed. Otherwise, the data it controls (i.e. SSN, $ amounts) fails to show up on the screen. More information is available in the Mask Num Edit Troubleshooting Word document.
- Add the COSMOS web site (https://cosmos.arizona.edu) to the list of trusted sites in your browser.
- Go to Tools>Internet Options>Security. Click on the Trusted sites icon, then click the Sites button. From the dialog box you can add the COSMOS web site to the list of trusted sites.
- Go to Tools>Internet Options>Security. Click on the Trusted sites icon, then click the Sites button. From the dialog box you can add the COSMOS web site to the list of trusted sites.
- If you are using Internet Explorer 7.0, click the IE 7 Notes link on the COSMOS home page to read important configuration information and other notes pertaining to IE 7.
- If you are still experiencing problems, contact your department network administrator.