Policy:
- Each student admitted to the UW-Madison School of Nursing programs (undergraduate and graduate programs, excluding pre-nursing and BSN@Home) will be expected to have access to a laptop computer with basic productivity software for their individual use during class.
- For computers that do not have a VGA or HDMI output port, students will be asked to bring a video adapter that allows for the laptop’s contents to be displayed on an external monitor or through a room projector.
Does this policy mean that students will be required to purchase laptops?
Students will not be required to purchase laptop computers; they will be required to have a computer with standard productivity software available during class. Most UW-Madison students already own laptops. Those who do not, will be able to either purchase one, taking advantage of UW-Madison educational discount, or can lease one from the University on a per-semester-fee basis.
The following Windows and MacOS laptops are acceptable. Please note that Chromebooks, and tablets (for example, iPad, or Android tablets) are NOT acceptable.
Specifications for Windows Laptops
32-bit and 64-bit Versions of Windows 10. Alternate versions of Windows 10, such as Windows RT, and Windows 10 S are NOT acceptable at this time. Only genuine, U.S.-English versions of Windows Operating Systems are acceptable.
- Processor (CPU) – Intel i3 or higher (i5 recommended)
- Memory – at least 4 GB RAM
- Hard Drive – 120 GB
- Network connectivity
- Video – VGA or HDMI output or converter/adapter to VGA or HDMI
Specifications for Apple Macintosh Laptops
MacOS 10.12 Sierra or newer. Server versions of MacOS are not acceptable.
- Processor – Intel i3 or better
- Memory – 4 GB
- Hard Drive – 120 GB
- Network connectivity
- Video – Converter/adapter to VGA or HDMI
Software Recommendations
- Administrator-level account permissions on a Windows or MacOS laptop.
- Microsoft Office is the standard productivity software available for both Windows and MacOS, that may be required for assignments such as papers, or presentations. UW-Madison licenses Office 365 so that it can be installed by students at no charge on their privately owned computers. For instructions, click here.
- Web Browsers: Current versions of Chrome or FireFox are recommended for using Canvas (UW-Madison campus-wide Learning Management System), Typhon, and Nursing Central.
- Security software including Symantec AntiVirus, MalwareBytes, built-in Windows and MacOS firewall. NOTE: Antivirus software needs to be disabled during exams that use ExamSoft/Examplify. For instructions, click here.
- Undergraduate students admitted to both Traditional and Accelerated programs are required to purchase a bundle of subscriptions to electronic resources, and to install them on their computers. The bundle is available for purchase at the University Bookstore in mid-August, and includes ExamSoft (software used to administer quizzes and exams); and Nursing Central (Nursing electronic reference library).