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Computer & PDA Requirements

Computer & Software Requirements. Effective with the July 2007 incoming class, each student in the UTHSC College of Nursing will be required to have a laptop computer and Internet access. (Students in previous incoming classes may continue to have either a laptop or desktop computer.)

Below is a PDF file containing a list of minimum hardware and software requirements (those components of your computer and the software that you must have) as well as additional recommendations (those components of your computer and the software that you may choose to have but are not required for all students). Your computer and software should meet or exceed these specifications. Your professors will be using similar hardware and software and expect you to do the same. Students whose computers do not meet the requirements will not be able to receive the same level of support as those who do.

In addition to your computer being sufficient, you must be computer-literate as well. 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 the following:

• 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
• 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.

Downloadable Computer Requirements (Updated November 2007)

PDA Requirements All BSN students are required to purchase a personal digital assistant (PDA). Graduate students should consult with their option coordinators to see if they are required to have a PDA. Please see the document below for the minimum specifications the PDA must meet.

Downloadable PDA Requirements (Updated March 2008)

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) [and our answers]:

1. What Internet Service Provider (ISP) should I use?

   If you already have an ISP, you might want to stay with them if you’re satisfied with their service. If you don’t yet have an ISP or if you’re thinking of changing, here are our recommendations:

   1. Most ISPs are fine. BellSouth, RoadRunner, MSN, and Juno are some of the most common ones. If you have AOL, make sure that you use the Internet Explorer browser rather than the AOL browser, otherwise you will have problems accessing your courses.
   2. You may want to have an ISP that is a national provider or that has an 800 number, so that you’ll be able to connect when you travel. This would be a particularly attractive option for those persons who live away from campus but need to travel here on a regular basis.
   3. Instead of an ISP that you access via a 56K dial-up modem, we strongly suggest that have a speedier connection—such as via a cable, DSL modem, or satellite. Contact your cable or telephone company for more information. Current students highly recommend this option, as you are on the computer a great deal accessing the Internet for coursework and anything that speeds up your time is beneficial for your time management. On average, this “high speed internet” service costs about $30-50/month but it can use your existing phone line (DSL) or use your TV cable connection, thus preventing the need for a 2^nd phone line. If you get DSL, you can work on the computer and make phone calls at the same time; they use 2 different wavelengths of your phone line. If you are out of reach of both DSL and cable modems, i.e. you live far out in the country, you might want to use satellite dish connections which are also very fast.
   4. If you opt to use an ISP that you access via a regular 56K modem, you may want to get a 2^nd telephone line or voice mail installed (so you can be on the Internet and not have to worry about missing important telephone calls).
2. Must I purchase a computer with the exact recommendations that you’ve outlined in the above PDF file?

   These are our best recommendations based on what we know today about the technology and how we might use it most efficiently in our classes. Technology is rapidly changing, and the things that we think are most useful today may be replaced by others in the future. We also know that with rapid changes, the PC that you purchase today will be obsolete within a few months. However, based on our projected use of the technology, if you have a computer that meets or exceeds these minimum recommendations, this computer should serve you for the time that you are in this program. A less powerful computer may need to be replaced prior to your graduation from this program.

3. What other software or hardware might we be using in the program?

   Blackboard is the course management software that is used at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center. Accessing your course sites requires a computer with Internet access and a Java-compliant browser. You do not have to purchase Blackboard software. You will merely need a recent version of an Internet Browser (such as Internet Explorer 6.0) to access your courses. 

   We will notify you as far in advance as possible of any other software or hardware needs that we identify as essential.

   Other Hardware that Might be Required includes:

   • Some faculty in certain options require that students have a PDA (the small handheld devices). You will be notified by your option coordinator if this is a requirement for your program of study. At that time further details will be given as to the specifications of the device. Even if your option does not require a PDA (using the Palm Operating System or the Windows CE Operating System) you will likely find that one of these devices will greatly assist you as you progress through your program of study.
   • Some faculty use Desktop Video Conferencing (DVC) in their classes. This means you would need a video camera hooked to your computer. These cameras cost anywhere from $30-$110 according to the quality of the picture. DVC may be a good way to communicate “face-to-face” in real time with other students or faculty. Real-time audio discussions, involving only mikes and speakers, can be used regardless of the speed of the connection. You may want to wait to purchase a camera to see if any of your instructors plan to use DVC. Also, if you already own a digital video camera, most of them can be plugged into the computer to use for DVC. Analog video cameras, however, cannot without an expensive converter.
4. Should I consider purchasing any upgrades or any other hardware when I purchase my computer?

   Many upgrade options are available for computer systems (more RAM, faster CD-ROM, larger hard drive, bigger monitor). If you are going to use your computer for multimedia development, we recommend that you consider some of the available upgrades. In general, the rule is that you should buy the best computer system that you can reasonably afford. Features that come preinstalled in a computer generally cause fewer problems than features added later.

   If you have equipment that exceeds any of the recommendations, that is desirable. If you have a choice about which features to enhance the useful life of your computer, invest in this order:
   • more RAM,
   • a faster processor,
   • better display, and
   • high capacity removable writeable media (e.g., tape backup, writable CD or CD-RW drive).
   We have recommended 512 MB of RAM. In general, the more RAM the better. RAM is your computer’s capacity to run programs and all of their functions. In most newer operating systems, the amount of RAM has the largest influence on performance and decreases your chance of problems.

   We’ve also recommended a 15" monitor, but noted that a 17" monitor would be preferred. The larger the monitor, the easier on the eyes. You can decide how much it’s worth to you to invest additional money in a larger monitor.

   You may find it more cost-effective not to purchase a printer in the computer package that you get. Shop around, as you can often find the same printer on sale. We are estimating the cost for an adequate printer would be $150 to $200. Ink jet supplies will run about $30/month; laser jet supplies are cheaper.
5. Should I get my software “bundled” into my computer package that I purchase?

   Many computers come bundled with the very software you will need for your program. Many computer systems also come already loaded with an anti-virus program, so check your computer before you worry about that. Once you are enrolled as a student you will be eligible for great software discounts and the free McAfee antivirus product.

6. Where should I purchase my new computer?

   Our students have experienced some difficulties with computer purchased through stores that do not specialize in computers. Although discount stores offer great deals on computers, it has been students’ experience that most of these computers use proprietary and or substandard components. This means that if you wish to upgrade you will most likely have to buy your upgrades from the same manufacturer. 

   We have no financial interest in any of the computer manufacturers, but in our experience Gateway and Dell computers hold up well, while students using Compaq computers seem to experience more problems. We recommend purchasing from reputable manufacturers or computer stores, making sure the components match or exceed those recommended by the College.

If you have questions or concerns about these computer hardware or software recommendations, please contact:

College of Nursing Innovative Technology Services
Tonya L. Brown-Jobarteh: tlbrown@utmem.edu or 901-448-5902
Vikki M. Massey: vmercer@utmem.edu or 901-448-8040
Toll-free: 1-800-733-2498