Distance Learning Courses

Format | Courses | Technical requirements | Student comments | Online application

Technical Requirements

Enrollees should have significant personal access to a computer that meets the following criteria:

Hardware:

The computer must have the following minimum technical capacity:

• A monitor capable of displaying 256 or more colors. (in other words a color monitor, no green screens)
• 16 MB of RAM memory (strongly recommended) to handle graphic image displays and a complex operating system: Either the MacOS (System 7 or later) or WindowsOS (Windows 3.1 or later). 8 MB of RAM may work, but more is desirable.
• It must have a hard drive with approximately 20 MB of available storage capacity for downloaded messages and files including graphical images. (That is, it must have more storage than a simple floppy disk drive).
• An available phone line to attach to a modem and a modem with the necessary hardware and software to transmit and receive electronic data. The recommended data transmission rate should be a minimum of 14,440 bits per second (14.4Kbs) or higher. (Most dial-up connections will work, although you will have significantly slower download time if you have a slower connection)
• An operating system robust enough to allow for a full graphical user interface: MacOS version 7 or later, or Windows 3.1 or Windows95, or an equivalent Unix system. (an operating system, such as Windows)
• An ISP (Internet service provider) that provides full Internet protocol access: specifically, the ability to send and receive electronic mail (SMTP protocol), view web pages (HTTP protocol), and perform online file transfers (FTP protocol). (You will need full internet access, with email, the ability to read webpages and the ability to upload and download)
• The computer should be capable of playing sounds through on-board sound circuitry.

Software:

The enrollee must have licensed access to all of the the following types of software:

• Graphical computer operating system (Windows or equivelant)
  
• Word processor (like Word, WordPerfect, or equivelant)
  
• Web browser (like Internet Explorer or Firefox)
  
• Electronic mail
  
• File transfer software (ability to upload and download files)
  
• Modem control software
  

Technology skills:

1. The ability to use a keyboard or other device to enter information into a computer (a minimum typing speed is not specified, although the more efficient the better.)
2. The ability to use a mouse or other input device to control the function of the screen interface while using the computer (i.e., the ability to use a graphical interface — WindowsOS or MacOS).
3. The ability to use the computer's operating system to copy, organize, rename and maintain computer files on the hard disk or floppy disk.
4. The ability to make a connection to the Internet using a modem (or other connection mode) in order to browse the World Wide Web and send, receive and manage electronic mail.