As part of your preparation for college this fall, please be aware that there will be expenses for required textbooks and supplies in addition to tuition and other fees. The prices and information below are subject to change.
All classroom supplies such as notebooks, pencils, safety glasses, the required tools, calculator and multimeter may be purchased at the Campus Store, or other suitable sources. All other books and kits specified below are available only through the Campus Store since they are unique to the course of study here.
The cost of these books and supplies for incoming freshmen is approximately as follows:
- Lab experiments component kit $150**
- Textbooks, miscellaneous supplies $230**
- Required tools $100*
- Calculator $ 30*
- Digital Multimeter $100*
*See below for listing of required tools/supplies if purchased from some other source than the Campus Store.
**Purchase at the Campus Store is required on the first day of classes after your first class meeting (not before).
The curriculum is continuing to increase its emphasis on computer usage and maintenance. Computers will be heavily used during all four semesters and during your senior year you will have the opportunity to take the Computing Technology Industry Association's (CompTIA) A+ certification exam for microcomputer technicians. Because of this, you will also need a laptop computer. You'll be able to purchase one here or you can bring one that you may already own as long as it's an IBM-compatible system and meets or exceeds the following requirements:
- Microprocessor - Pentium III 900 MHZ (2.0 ghz recommended)
- RAM - at least 256 MB (512 MB recommended)
- Hard drive - at least 5 GB available space
- Operating system - Windows 2000/XP (NOT XP Home Edition)
- Network card - Wireless Network Adapter 802.1 1b/g compatible
- Microsoft Office 2003
- Antivirus program with current updated virus definitions
- All Windows updates from Microsoft (security updates, DirectIX, Internet Explorer 6.0 SPI)
You must have a computer on the first day of classes. Your computer must have a current antivirus program and all Windows updates before you will be allowed to connect to the class network. If you are ordering from Alfred State College, you must order no later than Tuesday, July 15, 2008. Please call (607) 587-4325 for a price list and/or to place your order.
Laptop computers that meet these requirements should be available for about $1,700. It is recommended that all equipment be insured under the parents' or the student's homeowner's policy.
Education is an expensive and worthwhile undertaking, with the cost today being repaid many times over the years to come. You need the proper tools and supplies to help accomplish this.
Be prepared, financially, from the first class day onward. The prices quoted in any part of this advance literature are approximate only. They are based on the latest information available, but are subject to change without notice.
*Required Tools:
- Soldering iron, 25-35 watt, pencil type
- Diagonal cutting pliers, 4" good quality
- Long-nose pliers, 4" good quality
- Screwdrivers, assorted (including small and medium Phillips)
- Calculator, scientific
- Digital multimeter - must have at least 10 Megohm input resistance and include capacitor value and transistor hFE measurement capability. There are a good number of instruments on the market, but yours must include the features specified.
Also the following tools and items are strongly recommended:
- nutdrivers, assorted (1/4" is very much used)
- spare tips for your soldering iron
- convenient-sized tool box - tackle box size