Device Requirements for the Professional DVM Program

Students entering the Professional DVM Program at Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (CVM) must purchase one of the configurations listed at https://vetmed.tamu.edu/information-technology/student-devices/  To satisfy the BYOD requirement for teaching and examinations in the Professional DVM Program, your device must be one of the systems listed. The cost of each system should include a 4-year maintenance agreement to accommodate the computer needs throughout the four-year program.

Mobile Devices Recommendations
Mobile devices are not supported with the test taking software.

The CVM strongly recommends that all students with mobile devices such as an Android phone, Android tablet, iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch have the most recent operating system.  Please make sure your devices are set to be automatically updated by the vendor to ensure that your devices are always on the most current operating platform. Mobile devices are not supported with the test taking software.

Security Recommendations

The CVM strongly recommends that students ensure their personal devices specifically laptops, tablets and phones have disk encryption toggled on. This will keep your data safe should your device be stolen. Please keep your decryption key in a safe place.

Things to Consider Regarding Security

·         All software and Operating Systems (OS) should be set to automatically update which will ensure you have the latest patches. It is recommended to check with CVM Information Technology Services (ITS) prior to upgrading the OS higher than these recommendations.

·         The CVM also recommends that students set their Screen Savers to the 10–15 minutes setting on all their devices. It is also suggested that students consider purchasing a privacy screen for laptops and or tablets.

·         Make sure that passcodes and/or biometrics are enabled for devices to ensure data security.

Some additional Helpful Links 

·         Texas A&M University Software Center for purchasing software:
https://software.tamu.edu

·         CVM ITS Help Desk
The CVM Help Desk assist with CVM specific Classroom or software issues.
https://helpdesk.cvm.tamu.edu

·         TAMU Help Desk Central
Help Desk Central assists Texas A&M students, faculty and staff with their IT questions by phone, email, chat, in person and on the web. Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
https://it.tamu.edu/help/

Financial Aid
Students who will be seeking financial aid should be aware that the cost of a laptop computer, up to certain limits, can be added to the student's budget for purposes of computing financial aid under the guidelines of the U.S. Office of Education. Please note that students can only utilize this once while they are in the DVM program.

If you have questions about the financial aid application process, please contact Jamie Wigington jwigington@cvm.tamu.edu or call 979.845.5054 for information, before purchasing your laptop.