Technology Requirements
This online learning experience will require that you have a computer with a high-speed internet connection (cable, fiber-optic network such as FIOS). DSL performance levels would be the minimum satisfactory configuration. You will need to have a modern Intel Processor-based computer with a modern browser, Adobe Acrobat Reader and Microsoft Office Suite (Version 2007 or later). For more details on the appropriate Web browser, please visit this link.
Your computer must be configured to support a contemporary operating system such as Windows 7 or Macintosh OS X, 10.6 or higher.
We require that your browser must have the following plug-ins installed:
- JAVA
- Microsoft Silverlight (Version 4.0 or higher)
- Adobe Flash (Version 10 or higher)
- Flip 4 Mac (for Macintosh models).
Some interactions with faculty and peer students might require the use of a Web camera, microphone, or headset with microphone.
As a student, you may be eligible to take advantage of University discounts on computing hardware. This program is described here: http://www.pitt.edu/computer/. Through its software licensing organization, the University of Pittsburgh provides zero-cost Microsoft products. You can get more information here: http://technology.pitt.edu/software/for-students-software.html. This page provides information about other software products that the University will provide at reduced cost to students.
You must have anti-virus software which conforms to the University’s standards. If you do not have appropriate anti-virus software, please read the guidelines posted here: http://technology.pitt.edu/security/safe-students.html.
Some courses may require more advanced technology tools including secure shell (SSH), secure FTP, and HTML composition utilities – many of which are available for free on the Internet.
