Technology requirements

To take one of our courses, you’ll need the following:

• A computer
• An Internet connection (high-speed access recommended, such as cable or DSL)
• Latest version of Internet Explorer Web browser (We support only Internet Explorer. Please do not use AOL, Netscape, Firefox or other Web browsers.)
• An e-mail account provided by the University
• Word, Excel and PowerPoint (available for downloading from Quinnipiac’s Web site or you can purchase a CD of all three programs on campus)

We recommend these two programs to protect your computer:

• Virus protection software such as McAfee VirusScan or Norton AntiVirus (available for free download by students from Quinnipiac’s Web site)
• Microsoft Windows Defender for spyware protection (free download from Microsoft)

How you learn

As in traditional classroom courses, textbooks are the primary reading source for online courses. You can purchase textbooks at the Quinnipiac Bookstore in the student center or order them online.

Blackboard, a Web-based learning system, is your gateway to online learning. Your professor will give you assignments and tell you when they are due by posting this information on Blackboard. You will access Blackboard through Quinnipiac’s Web site by entering a username and password.

Blackboard is easy to use and allows you to do so much:

• Download reading materials, project assignments and the course syllabus
• Download and view PowerPoint presentations and videos created by your professor
• Submit assignments
• Read and share comments in a discussion forum with your classmates and professor
• Take quizzes and exams
• Send and receive e-mail to your classmates and professor

What you need to know

People who succeed taking online courses are self-motivated and work well independently. The amount of class work is the same as for traditional on-campus courses. Basic computer skills are all you need to take courses. You need to know how to use the Internet, e-mail and Microsoft Office programs, primarily Word, Excel and PowerPoint.

You’ll communicate with professors, QU Online staff and classmates primarily with your Quinnipiac-issued e-mail account. You should check your e-mail and log in to Blackboard daily.