The College of Dental Medicine (CDM) requires all first year students to own a laptop computer.

Computers are an integral part of education, as they provide:

1. access to CDM class websites, from which students are able to view syllabi, assignments as well as download any necessary class materials that are available only in electronic form

2. access to important communication tools (email, bulletin boards) which are essential platforms for dialog among professors, students, student organizations and the school itself

3. access to Columbia's library database and wide array of online resources for research

Significant school and university resources have gone into developing an electronic academic environment to support students in the educational process. With such exposure, the school prepares the student to handle the technological demands of the modern dental office and its computer-based information systems.