COLLEGE OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND HEALTH PROFESSIONS POLICY
POLICY NAME: Academic Computer Requirements for Students
EFFECTIVE DATE: Summer B, 1998
REVISION DATE: August 2024 (also December 1998, August 2000, June 2004, July 2008, July 2011, May 2015)
PURPOSE: To specify students’ computer requirements and responsibilities regarding computer management within the College of Public Health and Health Professions
SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS:
1. All students must be in compliance with the University Student Computer Policy and all Health Science Center policies related to computer use.
2. All students must have access to a computer to allow them to complete all coursework and general curricular requirements within their designated program and to receive academic-related e-mail in the College of Public Health and Health Professions. Students may acquire access through the most appropriate option to match their individual circumstances. These include, but are not limited to, computer purchase, lease loan, etc.
3. All students must have access to a computer with the following capabilities:
- Computer accessibility to the World Wide Web
- Current/Supported Operating system (Windows or Mac)
- Minimum system resources to run all required applications
- An Office Suite (e.g. MS Office or Open Office) MS Office can be downloaded through UF: https://it.ufl.edu/services/gatorcloud-microsoft-office-online
4. In addition to the general College computer capabilities, the following programs have additional requirements as noted below:
- Clinical and Health Psychology:
- Access to VPN or other connection that affords secure connections for PHI-related information
- Statistical software- current version (SPSS, GPower, AMOs or MPlus) as required by CLP 6527/6528/6529/7525
- Public Health:
- Acrobat Reader
- Public Health: Acrobat Reader; SPSS software; Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Environmental and Global Health students must have a current version of SAS software. Students can find free versions of SPSS and SAS in UF Apps. Online and blended courses are currently provided in Canvas. Students must maintain computer systems and browser versions compatible with the Canvas learning management system. These can be found here. Students who opt to use an Apple computer will be responsible for maintaining compatibility with the online coursework and software. All online courses require a headset microphone/speaker, a webcam, and administrative rights on the computer used to take examinations via the online Proctoring service (currently ProctorU). Online courses also require a fast, reliable Internet connection and it is recommended that a wireless computer be wired to its router during an exam.
- Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences:
- Current version of a statistical software package, such as SPSS or SAS
- Rehabilitation Science:
- Database management capabilities
- Current version of a statistical package software package, such as SPSS or SAS
(Note: If one of your programs was not specifically cited, there are no additional requirements beyond the college computer capabilities already listed.)
5. Students are responsible for knowing how to operate the computer system they choose and the software packages required.
6. Students are responsible for any repair necessary to their computers and are expected to complete assignments in a timely manner regardless of the state of repair of their individual computers.
7. It is likely that over the course of a student’s program computer upgrades will be necessary. Students are responsible for upgrades required for curriculum completion.
8. Individual coursework may require additional specialized software not already delineated. In this case, it is the faculty member’s responsibility to insure the software requirements are clearly delineated on the particular class syllabus. Students are then responsible for acquiring the specialized software necessary to complete specific course requirements.
9. Students are responsible for providing faculty with appropriate hard copies of materials generated via computer technology if required as part of the course assignment. Students are responsible for the cost of printing these materials.
10. Similar to non-computer based assignments, all work completed by students on the computer must be the student’s own original work. Students may not receive assistance in completing competency-based assignments unless specifically allowed as part of that assignment. Copying material form others such as scanning in others’ material, copying others’ files or discs, and/or downloading material from other sources, and claiming it as the students own work is strictly prohibited.
11. Instructors may require students to submit written assignments via Turn-It-In, SafeAssign, DirectSubmit or other appropriate online systems to verify the originality of student submissions,.
12. Students are forbidden from sharing material protected under HIPAA without appropriate encryption as required by Health Science Center policy. Peer-to-peer file sharing is not permitted as part of any course assignment.
