To complete a Netmath course, you will need to have three pieces of software.

1. Mathematica Version 6 (Version 5.x is also supported)
2. Math Everywhere Courseware
3. Decompression software

We have recently updated the way students connect to Mentor Chat. We recommend that students install an IRC client.

Students with Windows can use Gaim (free software) to connect to our IRC channel. Complete instructions are here, and in pdf form. Another client for Windows is mIRC. Instructions may be found here.

Mac users can use Colloquy, and there are instructions here and in pdf.

After registering, students will receive a UIUC login, called a Net ID. These can be used to log into the University's online store, called the Cites Web Store. There, students can purchase Mathematica licenses at a substantial student discount.

Mathematica's minimum hardware requirements may be found here and more information about Mathematica may be found on the Wolfram site.

Most newer operating systems have decompression software built in. If your computer can already open .zip files, then you do not need to install any specific decompression software. If your computer does not already open .zip files, then you need decompression software such as Iceows. This is a free software alternative to Winzip or Stuffit Expander, both of which will also work.

The courseware CDs may be purchased from Math Everywhere. They serve as our electronic textbook. The CD you will need depends on the course that you'll be taking.

Sample lessons are available from the Math Everywhere Courseware page by clicking on the courseware boxes.