DartmouthTech Support and Tech RequirementsTechnology SupportStudents in web-based online courses seeking technical assistance should:
Technical RequirementsFirst, you must determine if you have the computer resources necessary to participate in an online course. The minimum technical requirements for access to the online learning system are: PC Users: Macintosh Users: Anti-Virus Software The Information Technology Council Subcommittee is charged by the UMass President to draft policies and guidelines for the five campus UMass System. It is their judgment that all faculty, staff and students who access the UMass network and systems are required to have up-to-date anti-virus software installed on their computers. Internet BrowsersAccess to the learning system requires a Java capable web browser. Windows:Microsoft IE 5.5 (SP2), 6.0 Netscape 7.0, 7.1, 7.2 AOL 8.0, 9.0 Mozilla 1.5, 1.7 (1.6 is unsupported) Firefox 1.0, 1.5 Macintosh: Netscape 7.0, 7.1, 7.2 AOL 8.0 (OS X) Mozilla 1.5, 1.7 (OS X) (1.6 is unsupported) Safari 1.2, 1.3.1 and higher, 2.0.1 and higher Java: Java Runtime Environment will need to be installed and enabled on your computer in order for certain functions to work properly within WebCT Vista version 3.0. WebCT recommends installing Java Runtime Environment software version 1.5. Update 7. Click here for more information. Internet ConnectionAll students are required to have an Internet connection speed of 56K or better. A DSL or cable modem connection is preferred but not required.AOL Subscribers: AOL is the most popular Internet Service Provider (ISP); however, it can be the cause of many technical problems when accessing the UMass Online Learning System. It is suggested that after you have established a connection to the Internet via AOL, minimize the AOL window then open either Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator/Communicator to participate in your online course. Email Account and ClientAll students participating in an online course are required to have an email account. If you do not already have an email account UMass Dartmouth can provide you with one. Contact Operations and Access at x 8532 or email cit_oa@umassd.edu for more information.You may choose any email software that you prefer. Most Internet Service Providers have their own email clients. Many of the web based email clients such as Yahoo or Hotmail advocate the use of spam mail filters. Be careful when using these, as you may filter messages from your course that you need. Basic Computing SkillsIn making your decision to enroll in an online class, consider the basic computer skills that you possess. To successfully participate in an online learning environment you must be able to:
Online Course SoftwareSupplementary Software: Some online courses require the use of specialized software. In the event your instructor introduces material that requires this software, follow the links below to download the appropriate viewer. Adobe Acrobat Reader Macromedia Flash Player Microsoft PowerPoint Viewer Note: You do not need to download this viewer if you own the Microsoft Office Suite that includes the full version of PowerPoint. QuickTime
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What Students Are Saying
Kevin Karpowicz MD FAAP, |


"When I first began the online MPH program, I was unclear as to where it was going to take me and what I expected. I am now a much more effective community partner with multiple agencies in my community. I have been able to develop a new paradigm of integrating public health and the primary health care of children. I could have continued simply providing basic health care in my office and retired. The MPH experience has given me the ability to go beyond the confines of the office into uncharted territory. It is exciting and I know will lead to significant improvement in the health of children."