Computer-Aided Teaching of All Mathematics (CATAM)

Introduction

The CATAM Computational Projects courses provide an education in solving mathematical problems using a computing environment. The emphasis is on developing mathematical skills rather than programming abilities. The aim is for students to learn to use basic computational techniques and software packages to solve interesting problems, many of which are analytically intractable (or at least algebraically messy!).

News and Help

CATAM News

Read CATAM news for announcements of misprints and other important information about the projects. Urgent messages are also sent out by email.

Questions on Specific Projects

Some questions and answers about specific projects can be found on the Part IB Q&A and Part II Q&A pages.

Questions about Software

Some questions and answers about software can be found on the MATLAB and CCATSL pages.

Obtain Software

Download the latest version of CCATSL.

Other Queries

If you have difficulties with the software, programming or understanding the manual (that are not answered in the above pages), please consult a demonstrator in the first instance. If s/he is not able to sort out your problem, then please contact the CATAM helplineby sending an email message to: catam@maths.cam.ac.uk.

Computational Projects Manuals

These manuals contain the project questions themselves.

Part IB

The manual for Part IB can be downloaded either as a complete manual, or in sections, from links on the Part IB Computational Projects Manual page.

Part II

The manual for Part II can be downloaded in sections, from links on the Part II Computational Projects Manual page.

A few of the Part II projects need datafiles; these can be obtained here.

If you are a Mathematical Tripos student and you have trouble accessing this information from locations outside Cambridge, then as an alternative to downloading the files you can collect a paper copy in person from the CMS reception. In the vacations you may ask for a copy to be posted to you (telephone 01223 765000, or email CMS reception); please specify whether you require a Part IB blue CATAM manual or a Part II red CATAM manual.

Recommended Software

Students starting Part IB in October 2009

In the case of students starting Part IB in October 2009, we recommend that programs are written in MATLAB. MATLAB is available on the Personal Workstation Facility (PWF) in room GL.04 of CMS, and also on the PWFs elsewhere the University. A student taking Part IB in October 2009 is also entitled to one free copy of MATLAB for his or her personal computer running Windows, Linux or MacOS (at least if it's running MacOS 10.5; if it's running MacOS 10.4 or less, the Faculty will try and do it's best to provide the software).

A booklet on learning to write MATLAB programs is available online.

Students starting Part II in October 2009

In the case of students starting Part II in October 2009, we recommend that programs continue to be written in C using the C CATAM Software Library (CCATSL). The library and a C compiler can be downloaded and installed on a student's computer.

A booklet on learning to write C programs with the CCATSL library is available online.

All students

You may, if you prefer, use appropriate software on any computer system to which you have access (such as your own computer). If you do this, however, please remember that we cannot promise to help you with programming problems or to provide supporting software.

Computing Facilities

Both MATLAB and the CCATSL software are available on the CATAM PWF computers in room GL.04 of the CMS; they are also available on the Computing Service public PWF computers and the PWF computers at a number of Colleges.

CATAM PWF

To access the CATAM PWF, which is located in room GL.04 in the basement of pavilion G, descend the stairs immediately in front of you after entering the main entrance to the CMS and turn right at the bottom, the basement entrance to pavilion G will be in front of you. Go through entrance, turn left (in front of the next set of doors) and the CATAM PWF will be in the room to your right, labelled ‘Computer Teaching Room’.

The CMS buildings are generally open from 8.30am-5.30pm, Monday-Friday; they are also open 8.30am-1pm on Saturdays during the Michaelmas and Lent terms. They are closed on Sundays. The CATAM PWF is available most of the time that the CMS buildings are open, although it is sometimes booked for other purposes.

To see the availability of the CATAM Room please follow this CATAM Room Bookings link.

Word processing facilities

Word-processing packages, such as Microsoft Word and LaTeX, are available on the PWF. You can also install LaTeX, free of charge, on your own computer.