GitHub Setup Guide

Everyone needs GitHub, regardless of pathway choice

Getting Started: GitHub Account Setup (Required for BOTH Pathways)

Before installing Docker, you need a GitHub account to access course materials and assignments. Using your UCR email is crucial for unlocking free student benefits!

Step 1: Create Your GitHub Account

1. Go to GitHub

Visit github.com/signup

2. Enter Your UCR Email

Important: Use your @ucr.edu email address (e.g., yournetid@ucr.edu)

Why UCR email matters:

  • Unlocks GitHub Student Developer Pack (worth $200k+ in free tools)
  • Free GitHub Pro account (normally $4/month)
  • Free GitHub Copilot AI coding assistant (normally $10/month)
  • Access to premium developer tools and services
  • Proof of student status for educational benefits

3. Create Username and Password

Choose a professional username (you'll use this for your career):

  • Good examples: john-smith, jsmith-research, johnsmith-bio
  • Avoid: coolkid123, party4ever, temporaryaccount

Create a strong password and store it safely (consider using a password manager).

4. Verify Your Email

GitHub will send a verification email to your UCR address:

  1. Check your UCR email inbox
  2. Open the email from GitHub (check spam folder if not in inbox)
  3. Click the verification link
  4. Return to GitHub - your account is now active!

Account Created! You now have a GitHub account. Next step: unlock student benefits!

GitHub Student Developer Pack

The GitHub Student Developer Pack gives you free access to premium developer tools, including GitHub Copilot AI assistant. This is essential for the course!

Step-by-Step Application Process

1. Go to GitHub Education

Visit education.github.com/pack

Make sure you're logged into your GitHub account.

2. Click "Get Student Benefits"

You'll see a button that says "Sign up for Student Developer Pack" or "Get Student Benefits"

This will take you to the application form.

3. Verify Your Student Status

GitHub will ask you to verify you're a student. You have two options:

Option A: Email Verification (Easiest)

  • If you used your @ucr.edu email, GitHub may automatically verify you
  • Select "Use your school-issued email address"
  • Confirm your UCR email is listed

Option B: Upload Proof of Enrollment

  • Go to UCR Student Portal
  • Navigate to "Academic Records" → "Enrollment Verification"
  • Download your enrollment verification letter (PDF)
  • Upload this document to GitHub

Alternative: Student ID Photo

  • Take a clear photo showing your name, photo, and current date
  • Make sure the image is readable (not blurry)
  • Upload to GitHub's verification portal

4. Fill Out Application Details

  • School name: University of California, Riverside
  • Graduation year: Your expected graduation year
  • How you plan to use GitHub: "For bioinformatics coursework and research in ENTM201L"

5. Submit Application

Click "Submit application" and wait for approval.

6. Wait for Approval

Approval time: Usually 1-3 days (sometimes instant if using @ucr.edu email)

You'll receive an email when approved. Check your UCR email inbox!

Benefits Unlocked! Once approved, you'll have access to:

  • GitHub Pro (private repositories, advanced features)
  • GitHub Copilot (AI coding assistant)
  • Free domain name for 1 year
  • $100+ in cloud credits (Azure, AWS, DigitalOcean)
  • Premium access to developer tools worth $200,000+

Application Pending? You can continue with the course setup while waiting for approval. You'll activate Copilot once approved.

Next Steps

Now that you've set up your GitHub account, continue with your chosen pathway:

Command-Line Pathway (Docker)

If you're using Docker and command-line tools, continue to install Docker Desktop and VS Code:

Continue to CLI Tools Setup

GUI Pathway (No Docker)

If you're using graphical tools only, continue to download GUI software (UGENE/SeaView):

Continue to GUI Tools

Not sure which pathway to choose? Start with the GUI pathway! You can always switch to command-line later. Your instructor will help you decide.