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College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Graduate Mathematics Association

Department Guide

Table of Contents

Some Basic Rules [back to top]

Here are just few important rules about the lab:

  • You must save any files into your Documents folder. If you save files to any other location, they may be erased.
  • These computers should only be used for research, teaching classes, internet, or any other professional use. Storing movies or music on the PC is not allowed.
  • The printer may not be used to print multiple copies. If you need multiple copies, you must use the math department’s copy services on the third floor. As a reminder, you must give at least 24 hours advance notice for copies.
  • The only software you are allowed to install is from the CLASnet Applications, which is located in Start -> Programs -> CLASnet Applications.
  • Food and drink are not allowed in the lab.

LaTex Resources [back to top]

TeX (pronounced ‘tech’) and LaTeX (pronounced ‘lay-tech’) are important tools, useful for almost any graduate student. For prelimina information about LaTeX, including installation instructions for Windows, Mac, and Linux, please consult the LaTeX Introduction Pamphlet. (This handout was created using LaTeX! You may download the source code here: source

If you have some LaTeX experience, you can review some basic topics by checking out these slides. This document was created using LaTeX, using the “beamer” document class. You may view the source for this presentation here. Note that if you are compiling this yourself, you will need to compile twice in a row for the table of contents bar (at the top of each slide) to appear.

These sample documents may give you a starting point to assist you in creating your own templates.

MathJax [back to top]

MathJax is a way of putting mathematical symbols on your webpage. Here is a simple example.

When editing your website try typing the following.


When \(a \ne 0\), there are two solutions to \(ax^2 + bx + c = 0\) and they are $$x = {-b \pm \sqrt{b^2-4ac} \over 2a}.$$

This outputs:
When \(a \ne 0\), there are two solutions to \(ax^2 + bx + c = 0\) and they are $$x = {-b \pm \sqrt{b^2-4ac} \over 2a}.$$

Here is another example.


$$\left [ - \frac{\hbar^2}{2 m} \frac{\partial^2}{\partial x^2} + V \right ] \Psi
= i \hbar \frac{\partial}{\partial t} \Psi$$

This outputs:
$$\left [ – \frac{\hbar^2}{2 m} \frac{\partial^2}{\partial x^2} + V \right ] \Psi
= i \hbar \frac{\partial}{\partial t} \Psi$$

Home Access [back to top]

You are able to access your department file from home. To do so, you must connect to the UF network using a VPN client.

Help Section [back to top]

Still have questions?

  • Start by asking other graduate students for help. You may also ask the GMA webmaster.
  • The CLAS IT Help and How-To page provides some information.
  • Please email the webmaster with any useful information you find, so that this page can be updated. Suggestions may also be sent anonymously via the Comments page.