Technology Requirements
In order to take online, hybrid and remote courses, or to do computer work for on campus classes from home, you must own or have convenient access to a computer system. The required technology detailed below can be obtained via the links provided, from the Schoolcraft Bookstore, or from other retailers. Blackboard does provide an app for Android and iPhone OS called Blackboard Student. Features and functions of this app may not match the full Blackboard Learn.
Your computer system will need to meet the following minimum qualifications:
Computer Requirements
- A computer with a minimum of 4GB of RAM.
- A high speed or broadband internet connection such as DSL or Cable. (Dial-up is not sufficient.)
- A printer.
- A Schoolcraft College email account.
- Adobe Acrobat Reader
- Java
- Speakers or Headphones.
Windows Based Software Requirements
- Windows 8.1 or higher.
- Microsoft Office 2013 or higher. Microsoft Office 2016 or higher is recommended. (If you use another word processor or spreadsheet program they must be able to open and save files in Word 2010 (.docx) or Excel 2010 (.xlsx) format to be accepted by your instructor.)
- Chrome [Desktop v108+, Mobile v108+], Firefox [Desktop v108+, Mobile v108+] or Edge [Desktop v108+, Mobile v108+] (Included with Windows 10)
- Internet Explorer is no longer updated and is not recommended or supported.
Macintosh Based Software Requirements
- OS X 13+
- Microsoft Office v.X for Mac or higher. If you use a different office suite, it must be able to open and save files in the most recent Microsoft Office formats (.docx, .xlsx, .pptx) to be accepted by your instructor.
- Safari [Mac Desktop v14+, Mobile with iOS v16+] Chrome [Desktop v108+, Mobile v108+] or Firefox [Desktop v108+, Mobile v108+]
- Some courses require Windows emulation software such as Boot Camp, Parallels Desktop, VMWare Fusion, or Virtual PC; a licensed copy of Windows 7 or higher; and the appropriate Windows based software packages.
Digital Literacy Skills
- Digital literacy is the ability to locate, evaluate, apply, create, and communicate knowledge using technology.
- For more specific information on digital literacy, review the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) Student Standards.
Additional Items
- Some courses require specific software packages. Check the additional requirements to ensure you have what is needed for a particular course.
- For the most recent information regarding browser and operating system compatibility with Blackboard, view the supported browsers and operating systems page as there are some combinations of older operating systems and newer browsers and vice-versa that are unsupported.
Online Course Specific Requirements
The required technology detailed below can be obtained via the links provided, from the Schoolcraft Bookstore, or from other retailers.
The following online courses have specific requirements in addition to the general computer system requirements:
Requirements for On-campus Assessments
- CUL 102 – Although not a requirement of CUL 102, the National Restaurant Association Sanitation Certification Exam will be given on campus.
- MATH 047 requires 5 proctored exams.
- MATH 053 requires 6 proctored exams.
- MATH 101 requires 4 proctored exams.
- MATH 111 requires 5 proctored exams.
- MATH 113 requires 5 proctored exams.
- MATH 122 requires 2 proctored exams.
- MATH 126 requires 5 proctored exams.
Software Requirements
- CIS 120 requires Microsoft Office 2019 or Office 365 with Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Access (not Office Web Apps).
- CIS 129 requires PYTHON 3.4.2 or above (can be downloaded free).
- CIS 172 requires software capable of reading PDF files and a desktop or laptop computer running a desktop operating system. Tablets and Chromebooks will not work with portions of this course. The course also requires an updated, current version of Google Chrome, Apple Safari or Mozilla Firefox.
- CIS180 requires Microsoft Excel 2019 or Office 365 with Excel.
- CIS 211 requires one of the following freely available integrated development environments (IDE): Microsoft Visual Studio or Xcode.
- CIS 221 requires one of the following freely available integrated development environments (IDE): Microsoft Visual Studio or Xcode.
- CIS 225 requires Microsoft Access 2019 or Office 365 with Access.
- EDUC 205, EDUC 240, and SPE 100/EDUC 200 require a LiveText Account. LiveText is a browser-based e-portfolio and assessment management web application. The system may be used for submitting assignments, accessing criteria and rubrics, receiving feedback, archiving work and creating an e-portfolio. Purchasing LiveText is done through the Schoolcraft College bookstore. If you’ve already purchased LiveText for another course, you can use the same account for any course that requires it for up to 5 years.
- MATH 122 requires the use of Microsoft Excel.
- PHYS 104 requires students to download and install the NAAP Labs Application.
Equipment Requirements
- BIOL 100 requires the purchase and use of a Carolina Biological Lab Kit, available through the bookstore – allow time for shipping. This course requires you to submit assignments containing photographs that you have taken. This can be accomplished with a device capable of taking a picture such as a digital camera or cell phone.
- BUS 120 requires you to submit a digital video of a sales presentation. This can be accomplished with a device capable of recording digital video such as a web cam or cell phone.
- CIS 115 requires you to submit assignments containing photographs that you have taken. This can be accomplished with a device capable of taking a picture such as a digital camera or cell phone.
- CIS 178 requires that you have a 64-bit Windows operating system already installed, 2-core processor (4-core processor recommended), Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5 processor families recommended, 6GB system memory (RAM) (8GB recommended), and 50GB available storage.
- CIS 223 requires access to a Windows-based machine to complete work in the IDE.
- CIS 255 requires that you have a 64-bit Windows operating system; 2-core processor (4-core recommended); Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5 processor families (or higher) recommended; 6GB RAM (8GB recommended); 50GB available storage
- CHEM 104 requires the purchase and use of a Carolina Biological Lab Kit, available through the bookstore – allow time for shipping. This course requires you to submit assignments containing photographs that you have taken. This can be accomplished with a device capable of taking a picture such as a digital camera or cell phone.
- CHEM 111 requires the purchase and use of a Carolina Biological Lab Kit, available through the bookstore – allow time for shipping. This course requires you to submit assignments containing photographs that you have taken. This can be accomplished with a device capable of taking a picture such as a digital camera or cell phone.
- COMA 103 requires you to submit digital video of speeches. This can be accomplished with a device capable of recording digital video such as a webcam.
- ENG 100 requires you to submit oral presentations. You will need access to a computer with a microphone and speakers (internal, external, or headset). The use of a headset is highly recommended.
- ENGR 201 requires access to a digital camera, cell phone or scanner to upload images of your work.
- ENGR 203 requires access to a digital camera, cell phone or scanner to upload images of your work.
- FR 101 requires a microphone and either speakers or a headset. A webcam is required, either built-in or installed separately.
- FR 102 requires a microphone and either speakers or a headset. A webcam is required, either built-in or installed separately.
- HUM 212 requires access to Season 1 of HBO’s series, The Wire, which contains adult content in the form of profanity, graphic violence, and sexual gratuity, and may be considered offensive.
- MATH 101 highly recommends the purchase of a TI-30XS multi calculator.
- MATH 111 highly recommends the purchase of a TI-30XS multi calculator.
- MATH 122 highly recommends the purchase of a TI-83 or -84 calculator.
- MATH 126 highly recommends the purchase of a TI-83 or -84 calculator.
- MT 108 requires Wav foot pedal and a headset.
- SPAN 101 requires a microphone and either speakers or a headset. A webcam is required, either built-in or installed separately.
- SPAN 102 requires a microphone and either speakers or a headset.