Laptop Hardware and Software Standards – PhD in Health and Rehabilitation Science

The page was last updated on December 20, 2012.

The information on this page applies to students who will enroll at the College of Health Professions in 2013. Laptop hardware and software standards and other information on this page are updated yearly each fall.

OVERVIEW


The College of Health Professions (CHP) requires that all residential and distance students bring a laptop to campus for their classes, labs and other activities. You will use this laptop computer for many important school-related activities. Our buildings are all wireless-enabled, and you will be able to access your campus email, student-related information, course materials, or other important web-based resources at any time using your laptop.

To ensure compatibility with the existing campus technology infrastructure, the College has identified hardware and software standards for student laptops. Students must bring to campus a laptop that meets or exceeds these standards. CHP hardware and software standards are different from university standards.

Students considering purchase of a tablet computer such as an iPad to meet the laptop requirement should be aware that, per data obtained from a recent survey of CHP students and faculty members, tablets are not sufficient at this time for use to complete all school-related work. Students must have access to a laptop computer. A “tablet” is defined as a mobile computer larger than a Smartphone having the following characteristics: the use of a touch screen rather than an integrated keyboard as the primary input, web accessibility, and the capability to install and run software/applications. Examples included the iPad, Samsung Galaxy, and Kindle Fire. A summary of the faculty and student survey results is available here.

During orientation, new students will attend an information technology (IT) training session. You will be given instructions on how to access the campus wireless network, email, course materials, discounted software, and computer support. You will need your laptop for this training. If you are waiting on financial aid in order to purchase your laptop at the time of orientation, you will still need to attend the IT orientation.

For more information on the laptop requirement, please contact Dr. Dusti Annan-Coultas, Director of Educational Technology, at 843-792-3968 or annandu@musc.edu.

MINIMUM HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE REQUIREMENTS


Students in the PhD in Health and Rehabilitation Science program may be required to purchase platform-specific software or other specialized software, including Windows Office 2010, SAS statistical analysis software, or SPSS software. Students should contact their content advisors and/or mentors to discuss which software will be needed. Information about pricing of software is included on this page. Some Apple computers can be configured at a cost to run Windows software (a full version of Windows operating systems is required). Parallels is one software program that can be used to accomplish this. More information is available here: http://www.parallels.com/products/desktop/students. Students can contact CHP IT with questions regarding technical requirements of this option.

Students with laptops that do not meet the minimum standards will receive limited software support form CHP IT. CHP IT will not be able to offer hardware repair for any student-owned laptops.

Minimum PC Hardware and Software Standards

Hardware Standards

• i-3, i-5, or i-7 processor
• 4GB RAM memory (if purchasing a new computer, 8 GB recommended)
• 200GB Hard Drive
• Graphics card with 256MB memory (or higher)
• WiFi 802.11 a/g/nDVD-RW

Windows Required Software

• Windows 7 or Windows 8
• Microsoft Office 2010 Professional (Available at Compusult)
• Adobe Acrobat PDF Viewer
• Virus protection software
• Quicktime
• Windows Media Player
• DVD player software

Minimum Apple Hardware and Software Standards

Hardware Standards

• i-3, i-5, or i-7 processor
• 4GB RAM memory (if purchasing a new computer, 8 GB recommended)
• 200GB Hard Drive
• Graphics card with 256MB memory (or higher)
• WiFi 802.11 a/g/nDVD-RW

Apple Required Software

• OS X Lion or Mountain Lion
• Office 2011 Business Edition (At Compusult, this may not be referred to as the Business Edition; however the software available at Compusult is sufficient)
• Adobe Acrobat PDF Viewer
• Virus protection software
• Quicktime

SUGGESTED LAPTOP MODELS


Below are some laptop models suggested by the College for students who need to purchase a new computer. CHP IT suggests the models below because of our experience using Dell and Apple brand computers. Students assume all risk and responsibility when purchasing these models.

• Dell (http://www.dell.com)*
• Macbook Pro 13" (http://www.apple.com/macbook-pro/)
• Macbook Pro 15" (http://www.apple.com/macbook-pro/)

If Dell or Apple update these models, the above links may change. These links will be reviewed periodically.

*CHP IT has recently become aware of problems with Dell Inspiron SRS Intel 6 model laptops purchased by students in 2011. These laptops are slow or unable to connect to the wireless network on the MUSC campus. Given these problems, CHP IT recommends that students avoid purchase of this Dell model.

SOFTWARE DISCOUNTS


Students can obtain much of the software required by CHP for free or at reduced rates.

Office 2010, Office 2011 and Windows Operating Systems


Compusult (http://www.compusult.com/ or 1-800-992-6058) is a software retail company located two blocks from CHP. MUSC students will receive reduced rates (approximately $20/license) from Compusult on Office 2010 (Windows required software), Office 2011 (Apple required software) and Windows operating system upgrades (requires an existing Windows operating system and appropriate hardware). Students also can receive discounts on other software. Conditions will apply. CHP students who need to upgrade or purchase software are highly encouraged to contact Compusult for more details. Students must show their MUSC badge when purchasing software at Compusult.

Virus Protection

Virus protection software is provided to MUSC students at no cost. This software is System Center EndPoint Protection for Windows and Mac computers. New CHP students will be provided the opportunity to install this software during orientation.

SPSS


Some students in the PhD in Health and Rehabilitation Science program may be required to obtain SPSS statistical analysis software. SPSS version 20 installation CDs can be checked out from the MUSC Education Center and Library at no charge (to do: check that version 20 is still correct). Students must show an MUSC badge. Currently, five Windows and Macintosh version CDs, each, are available for 24-hour checkout.

SAS


All students in the PhD in Health and Rehabilitation Science program who will take the required statistics courses will be required to purchase SAS statistical analysis software. SAS statistical analysis software is available for purchase through MUSC by students for $50 per year. Students who are required to purchase SAS should purchase version 9.3. Students must renew the SAS license each year during July/August at a cost of $50. Installation kits for SAS version 9.3 are available for 2-day check-out from the Computer Connection located at 25 Ehrhardt Street, Charleston, SC (to do: check that version 9.3 is still correct). Payment can be made by check (made out to OCIO-IS) prior to checking out an installation kit. Students who have questions regarding obtaining SAS should contact Paul Croy, MUSC Information Services, at 792-9342 or croyp@musc.edu.

SAS is available for Windows operating systems only. Prior to checking out installation kits, students must know if they are using a 32-bit or 64-bit Windows operating system.