Admitted Students

E-Mail & Computers

E-Mail & Computers

BU Law’s Office of Systems & Technology (SysTech) oversees support and administration of computer labs and their related peripherals (printers and scanners) and the design, configuration and delivery of secure Ethernet and wireless networks. They provide personalized consulting and support and manage all aspects of the building’s networking framework. Through the implementation of 802.1x authentication to wireless access points, SysTech remains committed to providing the most advanced Local Area Network systems on college campuses today. Visit us at: BU Law Systems & Technology.

Students at Boston University also have free access to a wide variety of computing resources through the University's Office of Information Services & Technology (IS&T). Visit IS&T at: www.bu.edu/tech.

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Setting Up Your BU Computer/E-mail Accounts Early

You can obtain your BU login name and password before you arrive on campus as part of the "Early Access " e-mail registration program.  You’ll also need a Boston University Identification (BU ID) number to establish your account. Your LL.M. program will email you instructions for the Early Access program and your BU identification number. Please retain your ID number, as you will need to refer to it later. We strongly encourage you to establish your computer accounts now; this will enable you to gain access to the University’s password-protected online resources, such as the listing of off-campus apartments for rent, before you arrive in Boston.

Once you’ve established your computer account, you should visit BU’s Student Link to update your address.  Under the "Personal" menu, select "Address" and complete the appropriate fields.  Make sure you enter the proper address to which the University should send your tuition bill (e.g., to you parents’ home or to your new U.S. address).

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Personal Computers

BU Law hosts computer labs available for your use. However, many students own their own computers and we strongly encourage you to do the same. You will want the convenience of doing your writing assignments, conducting research or preparing study outlines on your computer at home. Laptops are very popular; most students bring them to class to take notes.

If you plan on purchasing a laptop computer, it is extremely important that your computer is a PC with a U.S. English version of Microsoft Windows (XP, Vista, Win7) or a Mac with a U.S. English version of Mac OS X (10.5, 10.6). Laptops with foreign-language operating systems are not supported due to incompatibilities with our Wireless Network necessary for Internet access at Boston University, and Boston University School of Law will not provide technical support for foreign-language operating systems. Microsoft Windows is the standard operating system in our computing labs and is in use on over 90 percent of the computers in the school. BU Law also adopted ExamSoft, for its academic examination software, which runs on both Windows and Mac platforms. ExamSoft requires at least a 500 MHz processor with at least 128 MB of RAM and 50 MB free hard disk space. After arriving, you will be provided further instruction in the preparation for, installation of, and use of ExamSoft.

To use the school’s wireless network, you'll need a notebook computer and a wireless network card which complies with IEEE 802.11b/g /n standards. As an LL.M. student you will also receive passwords to enable you to conduct computerized legal research using Westlaw and Lexis-Nexis. While Boston University will provide access to the Internet while on-campus, if you wish to access these resources from outside the University’s campus, you will require personal Internet access independent of Boston University.

When purchasing a new PC, you should consider models that will last three years or more without becoming seriously outdated. Boston University’s Information Services & Technology (IS&T) works with Apple, Dell, HP, Lenovo, and Sony to recommend systems that fit the needs of the majority of BU Law students. These recommended systems are available at exclusive pricing for Boston University.

Visit http://www.bu.edu/tech/desktop/purchase/ to learn more about these systems, and to purchase Microsoft and Adobe products at student prices.


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System Requirements to Take Exams on Laptops

We offer students who have a laptop that meets certain minimum specifications the option to take their in-class final exams on their laptops. Students who elect this option use software called SofTest from the company ExamSoft Worldwide. The software blocks access to all applications and stored files during the exam administration, and blocks access to the Internet and instant messenger. If you decide to use ExamSoft, then you will want to make sure that your computer meets the minimum specifications below.

PC System Requirements:

  • CPU: 1.3 GHz Pentium 4 or industry equivalent
  • RAM: 1 GB or greater
  • Hard Drive: 50 MB of free space for SofTest install
  • Wireless-network card: 802.11b/g/n
  • Operating System: English-language versions ONLY, of the following:
    • Windows XP (32-bit ONLY)
    • Windows Vista (32-bit or 64-bit)
    • Windows 7 (32-bit or 64-bit)
  • Software: Internet Explorer 6.0 or greater
  • Internet access for SofTest installation, exam download and upload of answers. You must upload your exam answers at the end of each exam therefore you must have your laptop configured for our wireless network before your exams start..
  • AOL users - version 6.0 or higher required
  • Display resolution - must be 1024x768 or higher

MAC System Requirements:

  • CPU: Intel-Based (Laptops ONLY)
  • RAM: 1GB or greater
  • Wireless network card: 802.11b/g/n
  • Hard Drive: 50MB for SofTest install
  • Operating System: English-language versions ONLY, of the following:
    • MAC OS X v. 10.5
    • MAC OS X v. 10.6
  • Software: Safari 4.0 or greater
  • Internet access for SofTest installation, exam download and upload of answers. You must upload your exam answers at the end of each exam therefore you must have your laptop configured for our wireless network before your exams start..
  • AOL users - version 6.0 or higher required
  • Display resolution - must be 1024x768 or higher

*Note: If you intend on using your Mac as a Windows dual boot via Bootcamp be advised that Parallels Desktop or VMware Fusion may NOT be installed at any point. Whether those vritual envrionments can be installed on a Mac running Mac native version of SofTest has not been finalized.

 

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