Overview

There will be various homework problems in the course which will require using the program Mathematica, which is an easy to use mathematical software package available in many computer labs around campus, or which can be purchased for personal use.


In this course we will be needing only some basic Mathematica commands which are described in the course handout Introduction to Mathematica and in the supplement Multivariable Calculus with Mathematica, so no prior experience with Mathematica is required. Also, there will be help available in some computer labs around campus specifically for students using Mathematica in this course.

Accessing Mathematica

There are two basic ways of gaining access to Mathematica: via computer labs around campus and the University's computer network, or through purchasing it for one's own personal computer. Most students will find that the first method is more economically prudent.


Mathematica is available in the following WAM computer labs around campus and the new math department OWL lab.


WAM Labs

Hornbake Library, Rm 0300, 24 hours
Parking Garage II, Rm 0504, 24 hours
Engineering/Physical Sciences Library, Rm 2403, library hours
CSS Building, Rms 3330/2 and 4352, 7am-11pm, Mon-Fri
Worcester Hall, Rm 0111, 24 hours
Centerville Hall, Rm 0200, 24 hours

OWL Lab
Math Building, Rm 0203, 8am-4pm, Mon-Fri


In the course supplement Introduction to Mathematica you will find instructions for using Mathematica on any of the platforms available in these labs: PCs running Windows, Macintosh, or SUN SPARCs with a Unix-based operating system running in the Xwindows environment. All of these platforms have version 2.2 of Mathematica and have been used successfully on previous occasions.


Note: A few machines may have the recently released version 3.0 of Mathematica. Use of version 3.0 is optional. If you use it, keep in mind that a Mathematica 3.0 notebook cannot subsequently be opened with Mathematica 2.2 unless you specifically save it as a 2.2 notebook. Also, a Mathematica 2.2 notebook can be reformatted to be run under Mathematica 3.0. To avoid problems, it is recommended that you choose a version and stick with it.

Computer Accounts

You do not need a computer account or password to use the PC or Macintosh machines. However, to use the SUN Unix workstations you need a WAM account. If you do not have an account already, you can obtain one at the AITS Consultant Lab, Room 1400 in the Computer and Space Sciences Building (CSS), during normal business hours (weekdays 8am-6pm). Please note that you will probably need your campus ID to activate your account. Also, while at the AITS Consultant Lab, you may consider picking up the handout Where to Go to Use a Computer at UMCP, as well as any other handouts on the hardware platforms that are available.

Printing

Regardless of the platform you use to run Mathematica, you will need to set up an account to pay for printing charges. If you already have a Terrapin Express Account, simply go to the AITS Consultant Lab, CSS Room 1400, with a valid student ID and obtain a Printing Authorization Number. If you do not have a Terrapin Express Account, you can open one at the South Campus Dining Hall with a minimum deposit of $25, and then obtain the Printing Authorization Number there. The charge for printing is ten cents per page.

Mathematica Help

The WAM labs are staffed by people who can assist you with general problems on computer usage. They are called First-Aiders and their basic duty is to answer questions. They won't sit down and type for you, but they can help solve problems that arise. Another way to obtain assistance with general problems on computer usage is to call the AITS Consultant Lab at x51500.


For help specifically with the Mathematica portion of Math 241, you may contact not only your instructor, but also the course teaching assistant, Mr. Alvaro Alvarez-Parrilla. He has extensive experience with both the course material and Mathematica. His office is in the Mathematics Building, room 4314, or you may contact him by email at aap@math.umd.edu or by phone at 405-5098. In addition, the department has arranged to hire three undergraduate student helpers for the course: Shahana Aziz, Yuko Suzuki, and Anne Pak. They are students who have already successfully completed MATH 241 or MATH 246 with Mathematica, and who know from experience how to use Mathematica in the WAM and OWL labs. Mr. Alvarez-Parrilla and the undergraduate helpers will be ``on duty'' to assist you at the following hours at the WAM lab at Parking Garage 2 (PG2), corner of Regents Drive and Stadium Road, and at the Math Department computer OWL lab in room 0203 of the Math Building.

M, 9:00am-2:00pm, 3:00pm-5:30pm, PG2
Tu, 9:30am-12:00pm, 2:30pm-6:30pm, PG2
W, 9:00am-12:00pm, 3:00pm-5:30pm, PG2
Th, 10:00am-12:30pm, OWL
Th, 2:30pm-6:30pm, PG2


It is possible that later in the semester the location and/or hours may change, so be on the lookout for future announcements.

Getting Started

Here is the basic procedure for getting Mathematica started on the SUN workstations in the WAM labs.

• login to your WAM account;
• from the menu across the top of your login screen choose Applications; from this menu go into the Tap: m submenu by clicking on the appropriate arrow; from this submenu choose Mathematica.

The above procedure will cause, after a few seconds, a new window to appear with the title Mathematica. (Note that a message window usually accompanies the Mathematica window. The message window may be dismissed by clicking the okay button.) In the Mathematica window simply enter the command mathematica to start the program. After a few seconds, a new window should appear containing a Mathematica Notebook. Consult the supplement Introduction to Mathematica for details on how to begin using the program.

Mathetmatica Training Sessions

The Peer Tutoring program, run by AITS, will hold several ``Introduction to Mathematica'' classes early in the term. These classes are quite closely tailored to the needs of MATH courses and are highly recommended, but not required. The first of these sessions will be held in Room 4404 of the Computer and Space Science Building, from 6pm-9pm on February 4th. The program will be repeated at the same place and time on February 6th, 10th and 12th. Further information about these and other Peer Tutoring programs can be obtained by calling 405-2941 or 405-2945.