All UW Colleges Online courses require a reliable connection to the Internet. You are responsible for setting up your own connection to the Internet. There are many Internet Service Providers (ISPs) available in Wisconsin as well as nationwide. A broadband connection of 384 Kbps or higher is strongly recommended due to the rich media content in many of the online courses.
Supported Hardware/Operating Systems
- x86-compatible PC running Microsoft Windows XP / Vista / 7
- Apple Macintosh running OS X
Supported Browsers for Desire2Learn (D2L)
- Windows: Internet Explorer 7 or higher
- Windows/Mac OS X: Mozilla Firefox 3 or higher
- Mac OS X: Apple Safari 3 or higher
A note about pop-up blockers: If you use a pop-up blocker in your browser, for example what is included with Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, or the Google toolbar, please ensure you allow pop-up windows for the following sites:If you are unsure how to disable pop-up blockers, the Service Center has posted directions which can help.
- http://online.uwc.edu
- https://uwconl.courses.wisconsin.edu
- http://d2l.uwc.edu
- https://helpdesk.uwc.edu
Software required for all UW Colleges Online courses
- Microsoft Office Suite 2010 (Microsoft Works is NOT supported) Note: If you use a version of Microsoft Office other than Office 2010, you may need to download the Microsoft Office Compatibility Pack for Word, Excel, and PowerPoint 2007 file formats to ensure that you can view documents from your instructor and fellow students. In addition, beginning in Fall 2011, any application-specific instruction in the courses will be written for the applications in the Microsoft Office Suite 2010.
- Adobe Acrobat Reader 8 or higher
- RealPlayer 10 or higher, or Real Alternative
- Adobe Flash Player
- Apple QuickTime Player
- Windows Media Player
Students, faculty, and staff can purchase the software required for UW Colleges Online courses at a substantial discount through the Wisconsin Integrated Software Catalog (WISC). Software may be purchased for personal computers in agreement with the terms posted on the WISC website. For questions regarding the WISC website or software for support, please contact the helpdesk.
Ensure you meet the technology requirements specific to your course. To find out what is required, read the Course Description for that class.
A computer virus is a small program which attaches itself to e-mails, images, documents, and other programs. When an infected file is opened or executed, the computer virus is activated. Computer viruses can forward copies of themselves to people in your e-mail address book, collect and send personal information to hackers, damage or destroy files and programs on your computer, or completely erase your hard drive.
As more and more people use the Internet, the likelihood that a computer virus will infect your computer increases. If you don't already use one, we strongly advise you to acquire an anti-virus program, so much so the Symantec Antivirus Client for MS Windows is available at no charge to current students, faculty and staff for home use. Your login and password is required to download and install this software.
If you have an anti-virus program installed, it is very important to update the virus definitions frequently in order to provide yourself with the best protection possible.
