Laptop Requirements, Equipment & Supplies

CABE requires students to use Windows-based (not MacOS) laptops due to the software (listed below) that our disciplines rely on. Mac users are at a distinct disadvantage and cannot expect faculty to compensate.

All undergraduate and graduate students are required to meet or exceed the Minimum Specifications below. A laptop certification process that takes place during a student's first month on campus confirms that the laptop meets the standards listed below.

Students in studio-based programs are strongly advised to consider purchasing laptops that exceed the ‘Preferred’ specifications because design studio courses and other technical courses have heavy computer requirements. This applies particularly to BArch Students, considering that the maximum life expectancy of laptops to efficiently run required Architecture Program software is 5 years. Incoming freshmen students are required to purchase a specified laptop at latest by January 2022.

The East Falls Jefferson Campus Store works directly with the deans of the colleges to offer specific recommended computer configurations for your course of study. They are an authorized Apple, DELL, and Lenovo Campus Store and offer educational pricing on hardware and software. For your college recommendations and software offerings through the Campus Store, please click on the links below or contact the Campus Store directly at campusstore@jefferson.edu or 215-951-2717. 

Allow a budget to purchase and subscribe to the minimum software needed for courses. Special required software should be listed on Banner when students enroll in a course. Courses may have specific purchasing instructions on a per course basis. Prices below are provided as a budget estimation.

Rhinoceros: $175 one time purchase (This rate is available through the East Falls Campus Bookstore which will be cheaper than online)

Adobe Creative Cloud Suite: See below

VRay: $99 per year subscription

Autodesk software (Revit, 3DSMax, AutoCAD, etc.) is available for free to students as educational copies by creating an account through Autodesk Education using students' ".edu" university email address:

https://www.autodesk.com/education/free-software/featured

Enscape rendering software is available for free to students as educational license:

https://enscape3d.com/educational-license/

Lumion rendering software is available for free to students as educational license:

https://lumion.com/educational-licenses.html?gclid=CjwKCAjw47eFBhA9EiwAy8kzNCGoL31szQ8ePot6ttFJ7ON_qpzw2svk5GjKcCZ9knC_P-i2ltM7FBoCIfoQAvD_BwE  

Copies of McNeel Rhino and Rendering Software can be purchased through the East Falls Campus Bookstore or online.

Additional free software and plugins such as Grasshopper3D, Sefaira are required for specific classes and download instructions will be provided by course instructors.

Thanks to Jefferson University's partnership with Adobe, all Jefferson students, faculty, and staff have unlimited access to Adobe Creative Cloud for the duration of their relationship with the University. Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator is available through an educational license with TJU, students can create a free Adobe ID account with Campus Key.

• Adobe Creative Cloud FAQs (PDF)

Budget $500 per year

For the typical first year Architecture Undergraduate or Graduate student:

The items listed below in bold type are included in a package prepared by the Jefferson University bookstore for approximately $70. If you do not have any drawing materials it would be easier and less expensive for you to purchase this package. Not all items will be used immediately.  Feel free to purchase tools and supplies as necessary.   You may order from the on-line school store and have items shipped directly to your campus address in 2-4 days.

For the First Day of Class:

• Sketchbook - hardcover, unlined, min. 5”x7” (spiral or hard bound)
• Pencil sharpener, one that catches the shavings
• Set of drawing pencils; recommended weights – 4H, 2H, H, HB, 2B, 4B, 6B
• Eraser - white plastic
• Architect's scale ruler - triangular, 12" long

For the First Month of Class:

• Cutting mat 18”x24” with grid
• Metal ruler - min. 18” long, with cork on the back
• X-Acto knife with #11 blades
• Box of 100 #11 X-Acto blades
• Mat or utility knife with blades and Snap-off knife (Olfa or X-Acto)
• White (or yellow or buff) tracing paper, 12” or 24” wide roll
• Drafting tape or drafting dots (You may also want masking tape)
• White glue - Elmer’s or Sobo, get both the smallest bottle and a larger bottle for refills
• Rubber cement
• Push pins (not thumb tacks) Clear, 100
• Lead holder (clutch pencil)
• Leads for lead holder; recommended weights - HB, H, 2H, 4H
• Lead sharpener (hand held)
• T-Square (36” or 42” long), metal or wood with clear edge
• 30˚-60˚ triangle - 12" or 14"
• 45˚ triangle - 10" or 12”
• Prismacolor pencils, 12-pack set, larger if you can afford it (plus Black, White, Warm Gray 50%)
• Color wheel
• 11x17" vellum drawing pad

Recommended Additional Drafting Tools you will need for this Class:

• Eraser - yellow or blue plastic, for ink
• Eraser - Kneaded
• Erasing shield
• 45˚ triangle - 4”
• Circle template
• Set of 5 Staedtler Marsgraphic pigmentliner pens
• Drafting vellum - 24” wide roll – or individual sheets as needed
• Adjustable triangle - 8"
• Compass - get the best one you can afford

Recommended Additional Model Making Tools

• Shop safety glasses (REQUIRED)
• 6” metal straight edge (ruler)
• Modelmaker’s miter box & saw (or “The Chopper”)
• Tweezers
• Scissors
• Double faced masking tape
• Set of needle files & Emery Boards
• Additional X-Acto knife handles & blade styles

EXTRA MONEY - Allow at least $250.00 for additional expenditures. There will be additional materials required – chip board, bass wood, presentation boards and paper, paint, clay, wood, metal, fasteners, etc.  These should be purchased when specific projects require them.  You should factor the cost of project based materials into every semester.

Most of the supplies you will need for first year are available in the Campus Store, but you might find a broader selection of tools and materials at some of these stores.  In addition, the Fab Lab provides a map to various specialty material stores.