Home > For Prospective Students > Computer Requirements
Since the fall of 2004 students entering the School of Dentistry in the
Dental and Dental Hygiene programs have been required to have a computer.
Why?
Within the last five years the VCU School of Dentistry has started to
integrate information technology into the curriculum. Faculty and students
rely on email, the Internet, digital media and other instructional
technologies to complement and enhance the educational program.
What?
The computer may be a desktop or laptop, so long as it meets the minimum
configuration standards for the University. If you already own a computer,
you do not have to purchase a new one so long as the configuration
standards are met. Please go to
VCU's Student Computer Initiative website for specifications.
NOTE: The School of Dentistry requires a computer
running Windows, not a Macintosh.
What if I want to purchase a computer?
The School of Dentistry has negotiated a special arrangement for laptop
purchases with Dell Computer Corporation for our students. The package
includes discount pricing not available to private customers and an extended
four-year warranty for new laptops. We have set the pricing for student
laptops to be well within student financial aid computer allowances. As an
added incentive, the Information Systems office at the School of Dentistry
will service Dell laptops that you purchase through this program with Dell
to minimize disruption in availability of laptop computers to Dentistry
students. We do not service any student computers purchased outside this
program. Click here for details about the
Dell laptop purchase program.
If you do not want to participate in the Dell Laptop Purchase Program,
you may utilize any commercial vendor. Visit the web address
VCU's Student Computer Initiative
Site to learn more about purchase or lease
information. The basic machine may require certain upgrades, such as a
modem or network card, to meet our specifications. Please note that the
VCU Dell Laptop Purchase Program differs from the VCU School of Dentistry
Laptop Purchase Program.
What software is required?
Microsoft Office 2000 Professional or Microsoft Office XP Professional
is required. This software can be purchased at a significant discount from
the VCU Computer Store, Online@VCU. You will also need a virus protection
program. Symantec's Norton Anti-virus software is available for download
at no cost to VCU students, faculty and staff for use on university and home
computers at VCU's Technology
Services website.
Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0, RealPlayer 10, and Adobe Acrobat
Reader 7.0 or later are also required. The School of Dentistry will provide
you with a CD containing Internet Explorer 6.0 and Adobe Acrobat Reader
7.0 during your orientation for Lotus Notes, our email system in the School
of Dentistry. RealPlayer is available
here.
What about financial aid for computers?
Questions about financial aid may be answered by going
to
VCU's Financial Aid website.
Modem and ISP accounts
If you plan to use dial-in access from sites outside of the VCU
computer network, such as in your home or apartment, you will need two
things: a modem and an account with an Internet Service Provider (ISP).
An ISP will allow you to dial into, and connect with, the VCU computer
environment. The recommended modem configuration is a 56kb v.90 modem,
either internal to your computer or externally attached. Online@VCU,
the university computer store, can provide ISP services for as low as
$9.75 per month. Please visit
Online@VCU for details. A Cable modem is another option but will be more expensive.
Cable modem service can be obtained from local cable service providers to your
home or apartment.