Technical requirements for online coursework
In addition to having reliable Internet access, the section below identifies the hardware and software needed to complete your online courses. It is highly recommended that you have administrative rights to the computer used for college coursework. If you must use a computer over which you do not have administrative rights (such as a library computer or a workplace computer), you may experience difficulties with needed functions, such as installing plug-ins. Students using library or workplace computers will have limited support options due to access limitations on such networks. Check with your workplace IT department to ensure that you may access course materials from your company’s network.
Supported Operating Systems:
- Windows XP (32-bit, with Service Pack 3)
- Windows Vista (32-bit, with Service Pack 2)
- MAC OS 10 is supported, but there are some applications that require the Windows OS. You should be prepared to run the Parallels desktop and a Windows OS if you elect to use a MAC system.
Productivity Tools:
- Microsoft Office 2003 or 2007 for Windows. Microsoft Office 2008 for Mac is an acceptable option for many courses. Coursework is to be submitted in .doc or .docx file formats.
Supported Browsers:
- Windows: Internet Explorer 7.0.
- Windows: Internet Explorer 8.0
- Windows: Mozilla Firefox 3.6.12 (Free download)
- MAC: Mozilla Firefox 3 (Free download)
- Other browsers, including the AOL browser, Opera, Google Chrome, and Safari for Windows, are NOT currently supported for some components of your coursework. You may use AOL for your ISP, but you should use either IE or Firefox browser versions listed above. As new browser versions are released, announcements will be issued to notify students when the new versions have been tested and may be used safely.
Plug-ins
The following plug-ins are required for many of the resources available in your online courses.
- Adobe Flash Player
- Adobe Acrobat Reader
- RealPlayer (Basic)
- Apple QuickTime Player (Quick Time 7.0)
- Java(JRE) 1.5 or higher (JRE)
- Citrix Client: Xen App Client to support virtual labs in courses
- Windows
- Additional plug-ins and/or downloads may be required by specific courses. The courses will include information for obtaining and installing the appropriate plug-ins.
Browser Settings
- Java Script should be enabled
- Cookies should be enabled
- Know how to allow Pop-Up windows for coursework
Supported Computer Security Options (Windows)
- McAfee Virus Scan 8.5
- Windows Internet Connection Firewall
- Windows Defender Anti-Spyware
- AVG Anti-Virus
Minimum Hardware Specifications:
- Pentium-class 1 GHz or faster processor.
- 2 GB of RAM (3 GB recommended for those running the Vista Operating System)
- High speed connection to the Internet
- CD-RW/DVD-ROM drive - Note that some software may require a DVD drive for installation
- Hard drive: 160 GB
- Graphics card and monitor capable of 1024x768 display
- Stereo sound card, speakers and/or headset, microphone
- Monitor - 1024 x 768
- A Webcam may be required in courses in some programs.
Additional Information and Recommendations
- Internet access is required to participate in online courses. Using a LAN, Cable, or DSL connection is highly recommended for optimal experience. Many course components will have suboptimal performance when accessed through a 56K dial-up connection.
- Satellite and wireless connections are not supported in our learning platform. Performance may be suboptimal due to signal instability.
- If AOL is your ISP, you must use the Internet Explorer or Firefox browser, rather than the default AOL browser, to complete coursework in a college course online. Simply launch the appropriate browser after logging onto your AOL account.
- Courseware cannot be accessed using Web TV.
- Course access using iPhones and mobile devices is not supported.
- Students who need assistive technologies will have different computer and technology requirements. Please check with your Student Services advisor to determine the requirements for the specific technologies needed to support your coursework.
- If you connect to the Internet through your employer, you may need to ensure that appropriate plug-ins and access rights are available to you. Check with your IT department to ensure that you may access course materials from your company's network.
- A valid email address, which is checked frequently, is required for participation in components of your coursework. All students are issued a UAV student email address.
- All plug-ins needed to participate in components of your online coursework are available free of charge. It is recommended that you review the plug-ins and install them prior to beginning your coursework.
- The ease and convenience of accessing educational materials through the Internet brings with it the need to ensure that our computers do not become targets of unwanted and often malicious attacks and intrusions by computer viruses and/or hackers. To prevent this, we recommend using an anti-virus package and a firewall. Since an anti-virus program is no better than its virus definitions, virus definitions should be updated regularly, preferably on a weekly basis.
- Personal firewalls are another means to protect your computer from malicious activity when you are connected to the Internet. Windows comes with a built-in personal Firewall. It is recommended that you enable the Windows Internet Connection Firewall and learn how to use this application to protect your computer and network by limiting or preventing access to this computer from the Internet.
- Your screen resolution should be set at minimum 1024 x 768 or higher.
Computers purchased by UAV and issued to degree students meet the minimum requirements for online participation. Students will still be responsible for ensuring that they have Internet access, the required software and plug ins and the basic computer skills prior to beginning class.