You'll need a computer with Windows XP, Vista, or 7, or a Mac with OSX, or even Ubuntu Linux will work. For a web browser. You'll need Internet Explorer 7 or 8 
or FireFox 3.6 or higher 
and it will need to be configured correctly. These are the only two supported web browsers and Google's Chrome and Mac's Safari cause problems with our online courses. (Update - I've had a further look at Google's Chrome browser and it seems that it would be suitable for online students but ont instructors.)
You'll also need an email address. If you don't have one from your internet service provider, a web-based email address will work fine. These are available from GMail, HotMail, Yahoo, etc.
You'll need to turn off all popup blockers that are installed on your computer.
Flash, and either Adobe Reader or FoxIt Reader - They're available from Adobe's website if you don't already have them. Look for check-boxes for additional software while you're installing Adobe software. We recommend you uncheck those boxes and not include any other bundled software. There is an alternate PDF viewer that is called FoxIt Reader and we recommend it because it does the job and is smaller and lighter than Adobe Reader.
Because Flash, and Adobe Reader or FoxIt Reader have frequent security updates, we strongly recommend you keep these programs up to date.
Microsoft Word or some word processor that can save in Microsoft's Word 97/2000/XP/2003 format. We use this because it is the standard business format and it didn't change between 1997 and 2007. You'll use the word processor program to create assignment documents for your course and those assignments must be in Microsoft's Word 97/2000/XP/2003 format only or they won't be accepted.. (If you have Office 2003 and want to open the newer documents from Office 2007 and up you can download the file converters free from Microsoft.)
If you have Word 2007 or 2008 or 2010, or WordPerfect or Microsoft Works, then just use the "Save As" option and choose Word 97-2003 or XP as the type of file. More info for Office 2007 -2010 owners here. If you have iWorks, use the "Export" function to export your assignment to Microsoft's Word 97-2003 format. If you're looking for the student price on Office 2010, click here. There is also a discounted military appreciation edition available.
If your computer came with Office 2010 Starter Edition then that includes a stripped-down version of Word that may be sufficient for your needs.
There are even free alternatives like Open Office and the smaller and simpler AbiWord that can do the job if you don't already have a word processor and you don't want to buy one. Just make sure to save in Microsoft's Word format (97-2003 and XP).
There are also web-based word processors like Google Docs, Zoho.com and Microsoft Office Live that can save in Microsoft Word format. Web-based means that you don't have to install any software on your computer. Just use the Zoho Writer program to "Quick Create" your assignment file and save it to your computer, or if you use Google Docs, then download your document to your computer in Word format..
Security - All computers on the internet can get infected with viruses and spy-ware and it is your responsibility to keep your computer clean and in good operating order. For details on maintaining your computer please see this document that we provide to our on-campus students.