Diagnose Your Computer

The majority of courses in the Liberal Arts Baccalaureate Degree program are primarily print-based with optional Web components. For these courses, access to a computer is recommended but not required. However, SPCOM 352 does require students to have access to the Internet. The equipment requirements listed below apply only to courses that have optional or required Web components.

Liberal Arts Baccalaureate Degree
Operating System Windows 2000, ME, or XP
Macintosh OS X (10.2 or higher)
Processor 500 MHz or higher
Memory 128 MB of RAM
Hard Drive Space 500 MB free disk space
Browser Mac OS X: Firefox 1.0 or higher
Windows: Firefox 1.0 or higher 
Note: Cookies, Java, and JavaScript must be enabled.
Pop-up blockers should be configured to permit new windows
from Penn State web sites.


Due to nonstandard handling of CSS, JavaScript and caching,
we do not recommend using Internet Explorer 6 as your browser.
Plug-ins Adobe Reader [Download from Adobe]
Flash Player [Download from Adobe]
Additional Software AOL Instant Messenger (needed for SPCOM 352)
Microsoft Office
Internet Connection broadband (cable or DSL) connection required
Printer graphics-capable printer
CD-ROM required
Sound Card none
Monitor 15" monitor (1024 x 768 resolution)

Not sure if your computer is set up correctly? You can use the links below to test your settings:

  1. Adobe Acrobat
  2. Cookies
  3. Frames
  4. Java [This may take a minute to load.]
  5. JavaScript