Setup Instructions

R

You can download the latest version of R using one of the following links (depending on which operating system you use):

• Windows: Install R by downloading and running this .exe file from CRAN.
• macOS: Install R by downloading and running this .pkg file from CRAN.
• Linux: You can download the binary files for your distribution from CRAN. Alternatively, you can use your package manager (e.g., for Debian/Ubuntu, run sudo apt-get install r-base; for Fedora, run sudo yum install R).

RStudio

You will also need to install RStudio, which is the programming environment we will use to access R. You can download the latest version of RStudio here. Use the download link that is appropriate for your operating system.

After you have downloaded RStudio, update the default settings. In RStudio’s Global Options:

• Uncheck Restore .RData into workspace at startup
• Set Save workspaces to .RData on exit to NEVER

Slack

• Join the VCU Data Science Lab Slack Channel
• Sign in with your VCU email address
• Slack will then send you a confirmation email
• Enter your name, and set a password
• You will be added to the class channel (hgen611-fall2026-async)
• Say on the private class channel

Open Science Framework

All VCU students have OSF accounts. To activate your account, sign in by clicking Sign in through institution, selecting Virginia Commonwealth University, and then passing the VCU 2-Factor Authentication.

When you have completed all of these steps, please send an email to Dr. Stephenson (Mallory.Stephenson@vcuhealth.org) with the subject line “I completed course set-up.”