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MATLAB - Get Started

What is MATLAB?

MATLAB (MATrix LABoratory) is a high-level programming language and interactive tool develped by MathWorks.  It allows matrix manipulations, plotting of functions and data, implementation of algorithms, creation of user interfaces, and interfacing with programs written in other languages such as C, C++, Java, and Fortran.  MATLAB is used extensively by scientists, engineers, and mathematicians in both academia and industry.

Create an Account and Install

Florida Tech offers a campus-wide license to MATLAB, so all faculty, researchers, and students are eligible to download and install MATLAB, Simulink, and other related products on their college computers as well as their own personal computers.

Create your MathWorks Account and Associate the Activation Key

  1. Create a MathWorks Account using your university email address: http://mathworks.com/accesslogin/createProfile.do.
  2. Go to the License Center: http://mathworks.com/licensecenter.
  3. Click Add License in the upper right hand corner.
  4. Choose Associate by Activation Key and click Continue.
  5. If prompted to do so, enter the Activation Key that your administrator gave you
  6. Go to: http://mathworks.com/downloads/web_downloads/select_release
  7. Click the download button for the current release.
  8. Click the installer button to download the installer.

Install MATLAB

  1. Locate the installer you downloaded in a file browser. It should be located in the default download location, unless you specified another location. The name of the installer file is:
    • Windows: matlab_ _win64.exe
    • Mac OS X: matlab_ _maci64.zip Where represents the release number.
  2. Start the installer:
    • Windows: Double-click the installer file you downloaded in the previous step. The Windows Self-Extractor runs, and then the installer starts.
    • Mac OS X: Double-click the installer file you downloaded in the previous step. This action extracts the files and creates another folder called matlab_ _maci64, where represents the release number. Inside this folder, double-click InstallForMacOSX to start the installer.
  3. In the MathWorks installer, select Log in with a MathWorks Account and follow the online instructions.
  4. When prompted to do so, select the license you want to use.
  5. Select the products you want to download and install.
  6. After downloading and installing your products, keep the Activate MATLAB checkbox selected and click Next.
  7. When asked to provide a user name, verify that the displayed user name is correct. Continue with the process until activation is complete.