Tech Requirements for Physician Assistant Studies Program

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Students are required to have a cell phone and a laptop computer with webcam, appropriate lighting, and audio technology for remote learning. By specifying these items as program requirements, the cost is included in the student’s financial aid.

Laptop computers provide students access to primary and supportive information to better prepare for and supplement the learning process. DU utilizes Moodle, an electronic learning tool that will be used as the central component of the “electronic classroom” employed throughout much of the curriculum. Assignments, course material, assessments, and other tools are available for each class through Moodle. Moodle is not resident on the laptop but is simply a web address to servers at Dominican. Because of this, students will be able to access materials from any location with web access. Additionally, the MSPAS Program utilizes computer-based examinations and survey tools.

The lecture areas offer a wireless environment enabling access to informational resources via the Internet and proprietary Dominican sites such as the online library and other University resources.

Any laptop computer made within the last four years with at least 2GB of memory and with either an internal or external camera is acceptable and should work well. However, students are encouraged to check that their laptop hardware and software meet each of the following requirements:

System Requirements

• Microsoft Windows 10 or higher
• Mac OS 10.14 Mojave or higher

Software Requirements

• Microsoft Office version 2013 (Windows) | 2016 (Mac) or higher - (supplied by the University)
• Antivirus (Avast!, Norton Antivirus, Sophos Anti-Virus, McAfee)

Hardware Requirements

(For Windows or Mac systems)

• Processor: Intel or Advanced Micro Devices (AMD)
• Hard-Drive Capacity: 100 GB or greater
• Memory: 4 GB or more is strongly recommended

A laptop with these specifications should cost between $1000-$1800, depending on memory and hard drive size. Students should also purchase an external hard drive to back up their data (highly recommended). Net PCs such as the models from ASUS are also acceptable. They can be a low cost alternative to a regular laptop.

Tablets such as Windows Surface, Acer and Asus tablets, and Apple iPad are also acceptable provided they meet the aforementioned requirements.

The program STRONGLY recommends that students purchase extended warranties or service contracts in the event of a hardware failure. Neither the MSPAS Program nor the Dominican University of California IT offers support to assist with hardware and software issues.