1: Do I need to have a personal computer to attend NJIT?
YES. Access to a personal computer is essential for completion of all NJIT degree programs. Although the university provides a large number of public computing facilities on campus, freshman without access at their places of residence may not have sufficient time to complete all assignments.
YES. If your system meets or exceeds baseline university specifications posted in the spring of 2008, then you may use your own computer. For those using your own computer, you will be given instructions on how to download the NJIT software bundle during Connections Miniversity, NJIT’s freshman orientation program held during the summer of 2008. If you use your own computer not purchased through the NJIT-Dell computer partner program however, you will be responsible for the installation and configuration of all software yourself, as well as all hardware support.
3: My existing PC almost meets NJIT’s baseline specifications. What should I do?
Contact NJIT’s IST Computing Helpdesk at 973-596-2900 with your details. A simple hardware upgrade to your existing machine may be all that may be needed for it to meet baseline specifications. Students enrolling in the New Jersey School of Architecture must purchase the recommended desktop model.
4: I have a PC with an AMD processor, or MAC PC. Can I use it?
If you want to use an AMD processor, NJIT strongly recommends at least a dual-core Athlon for a desktop, and at least a dual-core Turion for a laptop. Duron and Sempron processors are not acceptable for use at NJIT.
If you are using a Macintosh computer, NJIT strongly recommends an Intel-based Mac, in particular, a model with a dedicated graphics card. These models include most iMac desktops, and every model fo the MacBook Pro notebooks and MacPro workstation. Mac Mini desktops and MacBook notebooks do not support dedicated video, and are not acceptable for use at NJIT.
Please note, even though Macintosh computers with PowerPC processors came equipped with dedicated video memory, many of these models are now (or soon will be) out-of date or unsupported by Apple, and therefore are not suitable for use at NJIT.
5: Does NJIT provide the option of discounted computer purchases by incoming students?
Since the fall of 2004, NJIT has partnered with Dell® to provide computers for student purchases. Special academic and volume pricing models made available at significant discounts. Our partnership with Dell continues for student computer purchases during the Spring 2009 semester. Many models have already been announced, and more information is available at http://ist.njit.edu/compreq.
In general you may use a notebook computer as long as it meets or exceeds the minimum baseline specifications. However, students enrolling in the New Jersey School of Architecture must purchase the recommended desktop model. This is due to the graphics-intensive nature of the curriculum and the need to use specially licensed software.
7: If I already have, or purchase a notebook PC, can I use it anywhere on the NJIT campus with network connectivity?
NJIT provides wireless internet access across most of the campus using 802.11b, and in some areas 802.11g, as well as wired access in various locations. Please refer to http://ist.njit.edu/connectivity/wireless.php for details.
Students in the residence halls have their own 100 Mbps Ethernet connection. This connection provides access to all campus services as well as to the internet and is intended for schoolwork use. Wireless coverage in the residence halls is very limited due to the cinder block construction materials required for resident safety.
8: I am a transfer student entering NJIT this semester. Will I need a computer and am I eligible to receive the software package?
Yes. Transfer students are subject to the computer requirement in place for the class level into which they enter. Undergraduate transfer students entering the School of Architecture should plan to purchase the School of Architecture model for their first-year studio classes, and should plan to keep it in the Architecture studio. All other transfer students should plan to have access to a computer that meets or exceeds baseline specs in their place of residence. Non-architecture transfers are eligible to purchase any of the computer models available from the NJIT computer program. All transfer students will be eligible for the NJIT software bundle at no charge.
9:What are the specifications for the NJIT computer model? How do I order one? When will I receive it?
The NJIT-partnered models have be announced and are available for purchase. Visit the model comparison page at http://ist.njit.edu/compreq/comparision.php to view the current models. You are able to purchase a model online or by phone directly from Dell. You can also customize your PC during the purchase process. Additional information on the program in available online at http://ist.njit.edu/compreq.
10: Can I connect to the NJIT network from my home or residence hall room?
Students who live at home are encouraged to subscribe to an Internet Service Provider (ISP) through either a cable modem or DSL broadband high-speed connection. Use of a broadband ISP along with NJIT’s Virtual Private Network (VPN) provides high-speed access to most of the campus-based proprietary information services. You can access NJIT network services just as if you were on campus in the library, a computer lab, or residence hall room.
Students in the residence halls have their own 100 Mbps Ethernet connection. This connection provides access to all campus services as well as to the internet and is intended for schoolwork use. Wireless coverage in the residence halls is very limited due to the cinder block construction materials required for resident safety.
11:Will NJIT provide software for my major program?
NJIT provides a software bundle consisting of the most popular core Microsoft products, software development tools, mathematical programming, virus protection, computer-aided design, and other tools. Students bringing their own computer will receive instructions on downloading software during Connections Miniversity, the NJIT’s freshman orientation program held during the summer 2008. Students purchasing an NJIT-partnered computer model will have most software pre-installed on their machine already, at no additional cost.
Some courses or academic programs may have additional specialized software requirements students must license individually.
13: Why must I keep my computer in the Architecture studio if I am an Architecture major?
The Architecture curriculum requires specialized software that needs to be loaded onto your computer and its license to NJIT restricts use to the NJIT campus. In addition, the studio model of instruction is a highly collaborative experience and you will use your computer extensively in studio. Architecture studios are available 24 hours per day during the academic semester.
Every NJIT student self-creates a University Computing ID (UCID). The UCID@njit.edu serves as a student’s official NJIT e-mail address. The UCID will be listed in the Campus Directory and faculty members are given this address so they may contact students regarding academic and class-related matters. Students are responsible for signing on to this account and checking for new mail at this address on a regular basis while enrolled at NJIT. Students have the option of forwarding their UCID@njit.edu e-mail to another e-mail account (e.g. Yahoo!, Hotmail, AOL etc.) by updating their forwarding entry in the Campus Directory. However, students are responsible for making sure the forwarding is done properly and that the forwarding system can receive the NJIT e-mail, in both volume and size. Some systems offer only a small mailbox allocation, rejecting forwarded emails after that limit has been reached.
15: Is there more information on computer requirements for Architecture or Art + Design students?
There is an additional FAQ for students enrolling in the New Jersey School of Architecture and Schools of Art + Design located here. Questions on the computer requirement for students entering the New Jersey School of Architecture can be e-mailed to arch-compreq@njit.edu.
