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Computer Requirements

Highly Recommended Hardware (PC)

(It is suggested that this system be the standard for the serious distance learning student. Anything exceeding this standard is not necessary at this time.)

  • 2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo Processor
  • 2 GB RAM
  • Video card with 128 MB memory
  • 100 GB hard drive
  • 16X DVD+/-RW Drive
  • Broadband Access (Cable Modem/DSL)
  • Sound card with speakers
  • Printer, or access to a printer

Minimum Hardware (PC)

(This is a bare bones system. Anything less than this will be a problem for the student and UC faculty.)

  • 2.4GHz Pentium IV Processor computer
  • 512 MB RAM (1 GB for Vista or Windows 7)
  • Video card with 64 MB memory
  • 40 gigabyte hard drive
  • 32x CD Rom Drive
  • Broadband Access (Cable Modem/DSL)
  • Sound card with speakers
  • Printer, or access to a printer

Highly Recommended Hardware (Mac)

(It is suggested that this system be the standard for the serious distant learning student. Anything exceeding this standard is not necessary at this time.)

  • 2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo Processor
  • 2 GB RAM
  • Video card with 128 MB memory
  • 100 GB hard drive
  • 16X DVD+/-RW Drive
  • Broadband Access (Cable Modem/DSL)
  • Sound card with speakers
  • Printer, or access to a printer

Minimum Hardware (Mac)

(This is a bare bones system. Anything less than this will be a problem for the student and UC faculty.)

  • Dual 1.42 GHz PowerPC G4
  • 512 MB RAM
  • Video card with 64 MB memory
  • 60 gigabyte hard drive
  • 32x CD Rom Drive
  • Broadband Access (Cable Modem/DSL)
  • Sound card with speakers
  • Printer, or access to a printer

Other Requirements & Recommendations

  • Broadband Internet connection (If broadband is not available in your area, a dialup modem may be used. Please note that a dialup connection will severely degrade the quality of your experience.)
  • Email address
  • Wireless Card (If using a laptop, a wireless card is recommended for accessing the Internet outside the home setting.)

Minimum Software

  • Windows XP
  • MS Office 2003 or greater (includes Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint)
  • Mozilla Firefox 3.5 or higher (Mac or PC), Internet Explorer 7 or higher (PC)
  • WinZip for PC or ZipIt (a shareware product) for Mac
  • Virus Protection Software: McAfee/Norton
  • Flash Player – latest version
  • Java – latest version
  • Windows Media Player – latest version

Attention: It is important to note that Microsoft Works, Microsoft WordPad, Wordperfect, Apple iWork, Pages or Appleworks and Sun Microsystems Open Office Writer are NOT sufficient for use in the CLS program. While they may be capable of opening and editing Microsoft Word Documents, they are not compatible with certain Microsoft Word features used in CLS program documents. Also, if you’ve recently purchased your computer, it may have come with only a TRIAL version of Microsoft Word. Trial versions often do not have full functionality, and when the trial is over, you may lose the ability to edit documents altogether.

If you do not have a FULL version of Microsoft Office installed, you will need to purchase and install it. As a UC student, you can get at a substantial discount on current Microsoft Operating Systems and Microsoft Office (which includes Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint) from the UC bookstore. Microsoft Office for Mac is also available.

Required Plug-Ins
(If you do not already have these plug-ins, you will need to download and install them.)

Adobe Acrobat Reader- View and print millions of documents on the Web with the free Adobe Acrobat Reader. http://get.adobe.com/reader/

Macromedia Flash Player- Macromedia’s Flash Player lets you experience automation and entertainment in your Web browser. http://get.adobe.com/flashplayer

Macromedia Shockwave Player- Macromedia’s Shockwave Player lets you experience automation and entertainment in your Web browser. http://get.adobe.com/shockwave

Microsoft Media Player 11- Windows Media Player supports Windows Media (WMA,ASF), MP3, WAV, MIDI, AVI, and other formats. http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows/downloads/windows-media-player

QuickTime- QuickTime for Windows and Macs. http://www.apple.com/quicktime/download

Java- You will need to have Java software installed in order for certain areas of Blackboard to function properly. http://www.java.com/en/download/download_the_latest.jsp

Students are also encouraged to visit the Blackboard Support Website at http://blackboard.uc.edu/support/ for additional assistance with system requirements.

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