| Computer Requirements
As part of the acceptance requirements for the Masters of Dental Hygiene program,
students are required to have access to a computer with the minimum recommended
configuration and possess at least minimum capabilities for computer literacy.
Computer literacy is knowledge and understanding of the personal computer
beyond word processing — the skill set necessary to efficiently
utilize a personal computer for coursework. This includes, but is not
restricted to,
- installing and configuring software;
- accessing the Internet (connecting via an Internet Service Provider);
- utilizing Internet resources such as email (sending and receiving
messages, subscribing to listservs, opening attachments) and the World
Wide Web;
- uploading and downloading files;
- printing; and
- troubleshooting common problems
Please note that the STUDENT is expected to possess these capabilities.
If you do not possess these skills, and if you rely on others to do these
things for you, then you can expect to experience some difficulties as
you progress through your program of study.
Computer and Software Recommendations
Each student in the Master of Dental Hygiene program at the University
of Tennessee Health Science Center is required to have a computer and
Internet access. Below is a list of hardware and software recommendations.
You are strongly encouraged to ensure your hardware and software complies
with or is more advanced than, these minimum recommendations. Your professors
will be using similar hardware and software programs and will expect you
to use them also.
Minimum Hardware Recommendations
Processor: 1.00 GHz (or higher) Pentium IV processor
(or similar-type of processor, including Celeron and others)
Operating System: Windows XP or Windows 2000
Note: While the Windows 98 operating system will work for your
coursework, that operating system is not as stable as the Windows 2000
or XP operating system. If you have problems with your computer's operation
and you have Windows 98 operating system, upgrade to Windows 2000 or Windows
XP and that should help solve those problems.
RAM: At least 1GB RAM
Hard Disk Capacity: At least 40GB or higher
Monitor: At least 15" color high resolution, multiscan color
monitor (17" is preferred)
Video: 1024 X 768 super VGA PCI bus video
Video RAM: At least 32 MB
High Capacity Storage Drive
Recommend CD-RW (CD-Rewritable/Record) so that you can backup your important
work and make a copy of work to travel with you to/from campus to use
on other computers.
Note: If you get a CD-R or a CD-RW, then you do not need
to purchase a zip drive. If you have a computer with a zip drive, it should
be an Internal or External Drive with at least 100 MB capacity. Please
note that not all faculty/staff/fellow students will have zip drives.
Modem: 56K modem
Note: If at all possible, obtain/use a high-speed access modem,
such as a cable modem or DSL line.
Ethernet: DSL line
Audio/Sound card: 16 bit sound card (required for both audio
and video support)
CD-ROM drive
See above under the "High Capacity Storage
Drive" for recommendations. If you opt to have a zip
drive and a CD-ROM (not recordable or rewritable), then make sure the
CD-ROM is at least a 24 speed or faster multi-session
Multimedia capabilities: Video & audio (speakers and microphone, preferably
headset)
Printer: A high quality ink-jet or laser printer
Minimum Software Recommendations
Note: You will use the Microsoft Office suite of software
extensively, particularly Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. If you are not
familiar with those programs, learn them now - prior to entering school.
Once you enter school, you've got your school content to learn and it's
counterproductive to invest time in trying to learn software programs
when you've got course material you need to learn!
Microsoft Office 2000 Professional Edition which includes the following
programs:
• Word for word processing
• Excel for spreadsheets
• PowerPoint for presentations
• Access for database management
• Outlook for email, calendar, contact management, and tasks
Antivirus software , examples include the following programs:
• Norton Anti-virus at http://www.symantec.com/
• McAfee Anti-virus at http://www.mcafee.com/
Internet Recommendations
Browser
Microsoft’s Internet Explorer, version 6 or higher (recommended
because Virtual Chat, a component of BlackBoard, our course management
software, functions more efficiently with Internet Explorer)
http://www.microsoft.
com/windows/ie/default.asp
Reader for PDF documents
Adobe Acrobat Reader, version 7 or higher
Reader is available free from Adobe at http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep.html.
Adobe has other products that are not free -- make sure you're getting
the correct program. Acrobat Reader is free but just plain Acrobat is
not.
Compression Utility
WinZip
This may come with your computer. If it does not, you can download this
utility from http://www.winzip.com/winzip
Movie / Audio Player
QuickTime 5 or Windows Media Player or RealPlayer
All of these are free programs.
- For QuickTime 5, http://www.apple.com/
quicktime/download/
- Windows Media Player should come already installed on your new system
- For RealPlayer, http://www.real.com
-- (Note: You want the FREE download of the RealPlayer program. You
are not required to download their more expensive player.)
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