Technology Requirements (2024-25)

Introduction

UCSF is a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) campus and requires all students to own a personal device for UCSF-related activities. The purpose of these requirements is to ensure that devices meet or exceed a set of standards that will allow students to participate effectively in the UCSF curriculum. Technology will be an integral component of your UCSF education. Having adequate hardware is worth the investment--your focus should be on your education, not dealing with technical issues caused by dated or underpowered devices.

These requirements also ensure that incoming students have installed all security software required by the UCSF Minimum Security Standards. UCSF students have a legal and ethical responsibility to preserve and protect the privacy, confidentiality, and security of all confidential information, both patient and non-patient related. Security regulations are dictated by the Federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act (HITECH), other Federal and California privacy laws, as well as UCOP and UCSF Policies, and Medical Center Administrative Policies and Procedures.

Sections

1. Laptop requirements
2. Software requirements
3. Set up UCSF email
4. Internet requirement
5. iPad and keyboard (optional)

1. Laptop requirements

You must own a laptop computer that meets the following minimum specifications. If something is not listed as required, we offer no specific recommendations and suggest that you make purchase decisions based on your budget, features, and preference for Mac or PC.

2. Software requirements

You must have the following software installed on your computer. You may be prevented from connecting to the UCSF network without having all the required security software installed.

Laptop

Mobile Device

#	Software	Description	iOS	Android
1	Duo Mobile	UCSF requires the use of Duo Security, a two-factor authentication platform for all faculty, staff, and students when logging into certain online applications and systems including VPN, Outlook Web, Keeper, and Apex. Two-factor authentication provides an extra layer of security by requiring a user to log in with a username/password combo plus a second method of verifying the user's identity. The second method is something the user has physical access to, like a cell phone or tablet. This ensures that even if a hacker manages to obtain a user's login credentials, the information is useless without access to the user's secondary device. "Enrolling your first device in DUO" - Instructions	Go to Apple Store and download “Duo Mobile”	Go to Google Play and download “Duo Mobile”

3. Set up UCSF email

Before arriving at campus, you must be able to send/receive messages from your UCSF Email. Use of this email account is required for all communications involving UCSF business, research, and studies. You are expected to check this account periodically to stay apprised of all program and campus messages. In addition to being able to send/receive messages, you are required to enroll in the UCSF Password Management Tool and change your original password that was distributed by the Registrar. Please see First Time Login instructions on theStudent Accounts.

Your use of UCSF Email is governed by the University of California Electronic Communications Policy. Additionally:

• The use ofthird-party email systems is not approved by UCSF. This includes the forwarding of email to an outside services (e.g. Gmail and Yahoo).
• Do not share your own or other people's email account or password.
• Don’t share our mailing list email addresses with people who are not affiliated with UCSF.
• Do not use your email account for unlawful activities, commercial purposes, personal financial gain, chain letters, unsolicited marketing, or letter bombs.
• When you send a confidential email, useSecure Email. Regular email is not encrypted by default.

4. Internet requirement

You are required to have a home internet connection. Your connection speeds must be sufficient for high quality group video calling on Zoom and viewing videos on Mediasite: Dedicated (not shared throughout a household).

A minimum of 5 Mbps download and 1.5 Mbps upload is highly recommended.

Test your connection

If internet service is included with your student housing, this meets your internet requirement. All other students are responsible for selecting an Internet Service Provider (ISP) and purchasing service. You are responsible for the cost of this service, which averages about $60 per month. The largest providers in San Francisco are Sonic, AT&T, and Comcast XFINITY. Availability, speed, and pricing can vary depending on where you live and level of service you prefer.

If you’re not in campus housing and you’re using wireless at home, you must configure your wireless network with WPA encryption to comply with UCSF policy. If you’re uncertain about how to do this or how to confirm it, contact your internet service provider or the vendor of your wireless access point.

5. iPad and keyboard (optional)

A. iPad or equivalent tablet (optional)

We offer no other recommendation from this list and suggest that you make purchase decisions based on your budget, features, and preferences. If you plan on using your iPad/tablet as a companion device for taking notes, you may want to consider getting an iPad/tablet with a larger screen. Many students opt for an iPad with note-taking capabilities.

Current iOS: 17

The following are current iPads models:(use Apple iPad comparison tool)

• iPad Pro 13-in (M4)
• iPad Pro 11-in (m4)
• iPad Air 13-in (M2)
• iPad Air 11-in (M2)
• iPad (10th generation)
• iPad mini (6th generation)

B. Note-Taking Apps (optional)

Students find it useful to download lecture slides onto these apps to annotate:

• Notability (Free or Annual subscription)
• Goodnotes (Free or Annual subscription)

C. iPad keyboard (optional)

There are a large variety of keyboard manufacturers and designs; we offer no specific recommendation and suggest that you make purchase decisions based on your budget, features, and preferences.

D. Apple pencil (optional)

If you want the ability to use an Apple Pencil to annotate for note-taking, please check the Apple website to find an Apple Pencil compatible with your iPad.

Archive

Technology requirements for student pharmacists entering in:

• Summer 2023
• Summer 2022
• Summer 2021
• Summer 2020