New to CCS? Getting Started
Welcome to the Center for Computational Sciences
The Center for Computational Sciences (CCS) helps University of Kentucky researchers move beyond the limits of laptops and local workstations by providing shared high-performance computing systems, research data infrastructure, and expert support.
Whether you are running simulations, analyzing large datasets, training AI models, or developing new computational workflows, CCS provides the resources and guidance needed to scale your research. You do not need prior experience with high-performance computing (HPC) to get started.
This page outlines the basic steps for getting started with CCS resources and connecting to the systems.
On this page
- Welcome to the Center for Computational Sciences
- When Should You Use CCS?
- How CCS Supports Your Research
- Getting Started in 3 Steps
- Need Assistance?
- Common Questions
When Should You Use CCS?
CCS resources are designed for research projects that involve:
- Large simulations or computational modeling
- Machine learning or AI workloads
- Processing large experimental or observational datasets
- High-throughput or batch computing workflows
- Secure research data storage and transfer
- Collaborative or reproducible computational research
If your research is limited by compute time, memory, storage, or data movement — CCS can help.
How CCS Supports Your Research
CCS provides:
- Proposal and grant support
- Shared HPC and GPU systems
- Research data storage and transfer services
- Software and containerized research environments
- Training workshops and consultations
Getting Started in 3 Steps
1. Request Access
Create your CCS account to access computing and data resources.
2. Review New User Documentation
Our documentation provides step-by-step guidance for logging in, transferring data, and running your first job.
3. Log Into CCS Systems and Run Your First Job
Most research workflows on CCS are executed through batch job submission.
After transferring your data, you can submit jobs using the example scripts provided in the documentation.
If you need assistance at any stage, CCS staff are available to help.
Need Assistance?
If you are unsure where to begin or would like guidance on your research workflow:
Common Questions
Do I need programming experience?
No. Many users begin with minimal command-line experience. Training and guidance are available.
Is CCS only for large grants or advanced users?
No. CCS supports students, faculty, and research staff across disciplines. Students must be sponsored by a faculty or research staff member.
Can CCS help with grant proposals?
Yes. CCS provides facilities descriptions, consultations, and assistance in requesting national computing resources.