What are the hardware and software requirements for attending the University?
Staying current with productivity technology is an important part of your education. This agreement will help you prepare for your program. You need access to and use of the hardware and software listed below. You will also have the technology skills outlined in the
Academic Catalog. If you feel at all unprepared, the
Student Resources Guide, which covers a wide variety of business and technology topics, can be accessed via the University Library within the Student and Faculty Portal.
Hardware & Peripherals
You need access to a computer with the following:
- A processor of 2 GHz or faster
- 4 GB RAM or greater
- 80GB hard drive or larger
- A high speed internet connection with a connection speed of 1.5 MB/s or better
- The use of satellite and cellular connections may result in slowness or errors (timeouts, access problems) when accessing the classroom and course materials
- The use of public access computers and internet (for example, at restaurants and public institutions such as libraries) may result in slowness or errors (timeouts or access problems) when accessing the classroom and course materials. Public access computers may not permit any access to certain course materials or systems due to security limitations.
- Monitor and video card with 1024x768 or greater resolution
- Speakers/Headphones and Microphone
- Public access computers may not permit usage of speakers, headphones or microphones
- Inkjet or laser printer
- A web camera capable of video web conferencing
- Public access computers may not permit usage of web cameras
Note: A DVD-ROM or CD-ROM may be needed to install software.
Software/Applications
You need access to and familiarity with the following items:
Operating System
| System |
Minimum |
Recommended |
| Microsoft® Windows |
Windows 7 |
Windows 8.1 or higher |
| Apple® MacOS |
MacOS 10.13 |
MacOS 10.14 or higher |
Note: Some courses may utilize software that requires a Windows computer or a Mac with a Windows partition.
Web Browser
Windows
| Browser |
Minimum |
Recommended |
| Microsoft Edge |
38 or higher |
40 or higher |
| Google Chrome |
35 or higher |
39 or higher |
| Mozilla Firefox |
31 or higher |
34 or higher or 31 ESR |
Mac OSx
| Browser |
Minimum |
Recommended |
| Apple Safari |
9 or higher |
10 or higher |
| Google Chrome |
35 or higher |
39 or higher |
| Mozilla Firefox |
31 or higher |
34 or higher or 31 ESR |
Notes:
- BlackBoard Ultra does not support Internet Explorer
- Newer browser versions incorporate security fixes and newer technologies, which may often lead to a better user experience. Current browser versions are recommended when the option is available. There is currently limited support for Microsoft Edge until it can be confirmed that all functionality is fully supported.
Additional Software
- Microsoft® Office 2013 or later for a personal computer (PC), Microsoft® Office 2011 for a Mac.
Note: Some courses may require Office 2016 for Mac
- An up to date installation of Adobe® Reader
- An up to date installation of the Adobe® Flash plug-in
- An up to date installation of Java® may be required for some courses
- A system enabled to allow installation of browser plug-ins as required
- Local administrative privileges to operating system may be required
- A current antivirus application (updated regularly)
Note: Office 365 for Mac will not install on OSx 10.12 or older. You will need to update to the latest version of OSx in order to install Office 365
Some courses may require the purchase of additional software including
- Microsoft® Visio
- Microsoft® Project (for selected courses)
Mobile Devices Students are required to have access to a PC or Mac but may use a mobile device such as a phone or tablet as a secondary means of access with the Blackboard mobile app. Access to website functionality and required course materials may be limited on mobile devices.
College Specific Requirements
The College of Information Systems and Technology The College of Information Systems and Technology may require access to additional software. Software currently provided by the University on the student website is subject to change and may require students to purchase or obtain access to the software. Please look for updated software requirements on your student website. Students must have access to a Mac computer to complete iOS mobile coursework or the latest Windows operating system to complete Windows mobile coursework. These courses are options in the BSIT/Mobile Development concentration and the Advanced Mobile Development Certificate and as individual courses as electives. School of Advanced Studies The School of Advanced Studies requires doctoral learners to bring a laptop computer to residencies.
Note: The technology skills and the hardware and software requirements may be updated at any time because of the rapid rate of change in information technology. The requirements are also available by accessing one of the following locations:
Additionally, before installing any program, it is recommended that you verify your computer’s operating system is up-to-date with the latest security updates and patches through
Microsoft Windows Update or
Apple Software Update. To verify a program is installed on your computer, please see the following:
Microsoft Windows
Apple Mac OS X
For additional information on purchasing, updating, or testing software, please see the
Related Articles and
Related Links sections to the right.
Software Vendor Sites
