Computer Requirement in the School of Engineering

Extensive computer usage is integrated throughout all academic programs in the School of Engineering during all four years of the various undergraduate curricula. High quality, well-maintained computer hardware and software facilities are readily available and accessible in computer laboratories in each department, the Engineering School, and the University.

Junior year undergraduate students are strongly encouraged to acquire either a desktop or a laptop computer of their own. At this point in their engineering or computer science program, juniors have achieved a high level of technological maturity such that they can specify and tailor a computer configuration (hardware and software) which will most effectively meet the requirements of their particular computer science or engineering major. This computer will then continue to be current for use early in an engineering or computer science career after graduation.

Computers may be purchased through student discount agreements that the University of Mississippi has with a variety of computer vendors; see the web site http://www.olemiss.edu/computers/. The Engineering School recognizes that acquisition of a computer may represent an additional financial burden and that is why a computer purchase is highly recommend, but not mandated. For students in Chemical Engineering, see special note below. The computer facilities on campus certainly provide the computer hardware and software needed to successfully complete the computer science or engineering program degree requirements. If a student receives financial aid through the University's financial aid office, the cost of a personal computer may be considered as an additional cost of attending the University.

The University faculty and the engineering faculty are confident that the high degree of computer usage as a tool that has been integrated into all Engineering school program curricula will produce a graduate who is well prepared to succeed in industry and is well poised for the life-long learning process which is characteristic of a long, rewarding and fruitful career.

Only For Students in Chemical Engineering

The Department of Chemical Engineering at The University of Mississippi strives to produce engineers who are technically and professionally prepared to excel in the workforce. As part of this preparation, chemical engineering students work in teams for most of their time in the ChE curriculum. The effective functioning of these teams is greatly facilitated by the group members' having laptop computers, allowing them to meet in a variety of settings both within and outside of the department. An additional pedagogical benefit is that students who have laptops are able to practice computer-based computational skills in class as they observe the professor teaching the skill. Because of these benefits, the Department of Chemical Engineering strongly suggests to the incoming class of 2008 that they have a laptop computer. Access to a laptop will be required of the freshmen class of 2009.

Student computers must be able to run Microsoft Office, MathCad, and by the junior year, our process simulation software. Computers* should have a hard drive capacity (80+GB), 1 to 2 GB of RAM, wireless communication, and the ability to run Windows. Students must equip their computers with MS office - for existing computers, MS-Office 2003 Student Version or better; for new computers, MS Office 2007. Students will be offered a one time opportunity to purchase Mathcad at a reduced cost.

* PC-based computers will most directly run the software used over the curriculum. Apple "Mac" machines should also be able to run the Windows-based software by using software such as "Bootstrap;" however, our experience with this approach is limited at this time.