Mathematica

Mathematica is a computational software program used in Math and the Sciences.

Versions and Availability

St. Olaf has a site license for Mathematica that allows installations on college-owned and facult-y and staff-owned computers. Additionally, students can install a student-version of Mathematica for use on their personally-owned computers.

St. Olaf is currently running Mathematica version 8.0.1. It is available for both Windows and Macintosh computers.

Version 7.0.1 installation instructions are available here. Version 7.0.1 will be decommissioned on December 31, 2011.

Installation Types

There are four options to choose from when installing Mathematica:

  • A network installation uses a license server on the St. Olaf network to authorize use of Mathematica. This option is suitable for desktop computers that are always connected to the St. Olaf network. It is only available to St. Olaf College faculty and staff.
  • A standalone installation uses a registration process to obtain an activation key to authorize use of Mathematica. This option is suitable for computers (e.g. laptops) that are not always connected to the St. Olaf network. It is only available to St. Olaf College faculty and staff.
  • A student installation uses a registration process and activation code to authorize use of Mathematica. This option is suitable for use by students who wish to install a copy of Mathematica on their personally-owned computers. It can be used while not connected from the St. Olaf network.
  • A faculty- or staff-owned computer installation uses a registration and verification process to authorize use of Mathematica.

Installing Mathematica on Windows

Mathematica Network Installation

Use this procedure to install Mathematica on a desktop computer that is connected to the St. Olaf network.

  1. Launch the installer located at: I:\Mathematica\Mathematica 8.0.1\Windows\FacStaff\Mathematica_8.0.1_WIN.EXE.
    Note: The installation process will be quicker if you copy the installer to your hard drive and launch it from there.
  2. Click Next four times to accept the installation defaults and then click Install.
  3. When the installation is finished, you have the option of installing the Mathematica browser plugin (this allows you to view Mathematica notebooks in your browser. To try out the browser plugin, place a check in the "Try out the new Mathematica Browser Plugin" checkbox. Otherwise, uncheck this box. Click Finish.
  4. Launch Mathematica.
  5. On the Wolfram Product Activation screen, click Other ways to activate.
  6. Click Connect to a network license server.
  7. In the server name field, enter "sassy.stolaf.edu" and click Activate.
  8. Mathematica is now ready for use.

Mathematica Standalone Installation

Before starting the Mathematica installation, you will need to obtain an activation key from Wolfram. This will require creating a user account on their site (if you already haven't).

  1. In a web browser go to the Mathematica Activation Key Request Form.
  2. If you already have a Wolfram account, enter your Wolfram ID (typically your email address) and password and click Sign In. If you have an account but have forgotten the password, click the "Forgot Your Password?" link.

    Important Note: Use your St. Olaf email address to register with Wolfram. Activation requests from St. Olaf email addresses are automatically approved.

  3. If you do not have an account, click Create Account.
  4. Enter your email address, first name, last name, password (twice), enter the confirmation code and click Create Wolfram ID.
  5. On the Mathematica Activation Key Request Form, under Select the configuration, select Single Machine; under Select the platform, select the operating system you are using (Windows, Macintosh or Linux). Click Submit.
  6. This will generate an activation key. This activation key will be used to install Mathematica. A copy of it is also sent to your email address.
  7. Download the installer from Mathematica (there will be a download link in the email you receive or launch the installer located at: I:\Mathematica\Mathematica 8.0.1\Windows\FacStaff\Mathematica_8.0.1_WIN.EXE. (Note: The installation process will be quicker if you copy the installer to your hard drive and launch it from there.)
  8. Click Next four times to accept the installation defaults and then click Install.
  9. When the installation is finished, you have the option of installing the Mathematica browser plugin (this allows you to view Mathematica notebooks in your browser. To try out the browser plugin, place a check in the "Try out the new Mathematica Browser Plugin" checkbox. Otherwise, uncheck this box. Click Finish.
  10. Launch Mathematica and when prompted paste in the activation key and click Activate.
  11. Accept the license agreement and click OK.
  12. Mathematica is now ready for use.

Mathematica Student Installation

Use this procedure to install Mathematica on a student-owned computer. Before starting the Mathematica installation, you will need to obtain an activation key from Wolfram. This will require creating a user account on their site (if you already haven't).

  1. In a web browser go to the Mathematica Activation Key Request Form.
  2. If you already have a Wolfram account, enter your Wolfram ID (typically your email address) and password and click Sign In. If you have an account but have forgotten the password, click the 'Forgot Your Password?' link.

    Important Note: Use your St. Olaf email address to register with Wolfram. Activation requests from St. Olaf email addresses are automatically approved.

  3. If you do not have an account, click Create Account.
  4. Enter your email address, first name, last name, password (twice), enter the confirmation code and click Create Wolfram ID.
  5. On the Mathematica Activation Key Request Form, under Select the configuration, select Single Machine; under Select the platform, select the operating system you are using (Windows, Macintosh or Linux). Click Submit.
  6. This will generate an activation key. This activation key will be used to install Mathematica. A copy of it is also sent to your email address.
  7. Launch the installer located at: P:\Installs\Mathematica\Mathematica 8.0.1\Windows\
    Student\Mathematica_8.0.1_Student_WIN.EXE. Note: The installation process will be quicker if you copy the installer to your hard drive and launch it from there.
  8. Click Next four times to accpet the installation defaults. Click Install to begin the installation.
  9. When the installation is finished, launch Mathematica.
  10. When prompted, paste in the activation key and click Activate.
  11. Accept the license agreement and click OK.
  12. Mathematica is now ready for use.

Installing Mathematica on Personally-Owned Computers

  1. In a web browser go to the Mathematica license request form.
  2. Select the appropriate option under "What are you requesting?" - either a new, upgrade or extension of a license - and then click Continue.
  3. Under "How would you like to receive your copy of Mathematica?" select "Download - Send it to me at the email address I specify".
  4. Under "For what platform will you need your home-use license?" select the appropriate platform.
  5. Under "Would you also like to receive a download of Wolfram Workbench for this home-use license?" select the appropriate option and click Continue.
  6. Enter your contact information, including Proof of Eligibility.
  7. Click Submit.
  8. Your request will be forwarded to Wolfram Research for approval. When approved, your license and a download link will be sent to the email address you entered above.
  9. When you receive the approval email, download and install the software and enter the license information contained in the email.

Installing Mathematica on Macintosh OS X

Mathematica Network Installation

Use this procedure to install Mathematica on a desktop computer that is connected to the St. Olaf network.

  1. Copy the Mathematica_8.0.1_OSX.dmg disk image file from prime:Installs:Mathematica:Mathematica 8.0.1:OS X:FacStaff to your Mac.
  2. Double-click on the Mathematica_8.0.1_OSX.dmg to mount the disk image. A window showing the Mathematica application should open.
  3. Drag the Mathematica application to the Applications folder on your Mac.
  4. Navigate to the Applications folder on your Mac.
  5. Double-click on Mathematica.
  6. Click Other ways to activate.
  7. Click Connect to a network license server.
  8. In the server name field, enter "sassy.stolaf.edu" and click Activate.
  9. Accept the license agreement and click OK.
  10. Mathematica is now ready for use.

Mathematica Standalone Installation

Before starting the Mathematica installation, you will need to obtain an activation key from Wolfram. This will require creating a user account on their site (if you already haven't).

  1. In a web browser go to the Mathematica Activation Key Request Form.
  2. If you already have a Wolfram account, enter your Wolfram ID (typically your email address) and password and click Sign In. If you have an account but have forgotten the password, click the 'Forgot Your Password?' link.

    Important Note: Use your St. Olaf email address to register with Wolfram. Activation requests from St. Olaf email addresses are automatically approved.

  3. If you do not have an account, click Create Account.
  4. Enter your email address, first name, last name, password (twice), enter the confirmation code and click Create Wolfram ID.
  5. On the Mathematica Activation Key Request Form, under Select the configuration, select Single Machine; under Select the platform, select the operating system you are using (Windows, Macintosh or Linux). Click Submit.
  6. This will generate an activation key. This activation key will be used to install Mathematica. A copy of it is also sent to your email address.
  7. Copy the Mathematica_8.0.1_OSX.dmg disk image file from prime:Installs:Mathematica:Mathematica 8.0.1:OS X:FacStaff to your Mac.
  8. Double-click on Mathematica.dmg to mount this disk image. A window showing the Mathematica application should open.
  9. Drag the Mathematica application to the Applications folder on your Mac.
  10. Navigate to the Applications folder on your Mac.
  11. Launch Mathematica and when prompted paste in the activation key and click Activate.
  12. Accept the license agreement and click OK.
  13. Mathematica is now ready for use.

Mathematica Student Installation

Use this procedure to install Mathematica on a student-owned computer. Before starting the Mathematica installation, you will need to obtain an activation key from Wolfram. This will require creating a user account on their site (if you already haven't).

  1. In a web browser go to the Mathematica Activation Key Request Form.
  2. If you already have a Wolfram account, enter your Wolfram ID (typically your email address) and password and click Sign In. If you have an account but have forgotten the password, click the 'Forgot Your Password?' link.

    Important Note: Use your St. Olaf email address to register with Wolfram. Activation requests from St. Olaf email addresses are automatically approved.

  3. If you do not have an account, click Create Account.
  4. Enter your email address, first name, last name, password (twice), enter the confirmation code and click Create Wolfram ID.
  5. On the Mathematica Activation Key Request Form, under Select the configuration, select Single Machine; under Select the platform, select the operating system you are using (Windows, Macintosh or Linux). Click Submit.
  6. This will generate an activation key. This activation key will be used to install Mathematica. A copy of it is also sent to your email address.
  7. Copy the Mathematica_8.0.1_Student_OSX.dmg disk image file from prime:Installs:Mathematica:Mathematica 8.0.1:OS X:Student to your Mac.
  8. Double-click on Mathematica.dmg to mount this disk image. A window showing the Mathematica application should open.
  9. Drag the Mathematica application to the Applications folder on your Mac.
  10. Navigate to the Applications folder on your Mac.
  11. Launch Mathematica and when prompted paste in the activation key and click Activate.
  12. Accept the license agreement and click OK.
  13. Mathematica is now ready for use.

Installing Mathematica on Personally-Owned Computers

  1. In a web browser go to the Mathematica license request form.
  2. Select the appropriate option under "What are you requesting?" - either a new, upgrade or extension of a license - and then click Continue.
  3. Under "How would you like to receive your copy of Mathematica?" select "Download - Send it to me at the email address I specify".
  4. Under "For what platform will you need your home-use license?" select the appropriate platform.
  5. Under "Would you also like to receive a download of Wolfram Workbench for this home-use license?" select the appropriate option and click Continue.
  6. Enter your contact information, including Proof of Eligibility.
  7. Click Submit.
  8. Your request will be forwarded to Wolfram Research for approval. When approved, your license and a download link will be sent to the email address you entered above.
  9. When you receive the approval email, download and install the software and enter the license information contained in the email.