About MATLAB

MATLAB is a programming language designed for analyzing data, developing algorithms, and creating models and applications.  Swarthmore licenses the Full Suite which includes all available toolboxes and Simulink.

MATLAB Online

In addition to the desktop version of the software, all Swarthmore employees and students have access to an online version of MATLAB at: matlab.mathworks.com.  This can be used from any web browser.  You need to set up a MathWorks account and associate it with Swarthmore's license before using (see instructions below).

Set up an MathWorks account and associate it with Swarthmore's License

• Create an account at https://www.mathworks.com/mwaccount/register.
• Fill out the required information, making sure to use your Swarthmore email address. If given the option to select how you will use MATLAB, select "Teaching or Research in school" or "Student use".  
• You may need to verify your account by clicking on a link from the MathWorks. If you don't receive the email, check your spam folder.
• After you have verified your account, associate your MathWorks account with Swarthmore's license.  Go to mathworks.com/login, click on your profile name in the upper right hand corner →  Associate License
• Enter an activation key (provided in the links below)
     Faculty/staff: MATLAB faculty/staff license
     Students: MATLAB student license

Installation Instructions

Swarthmore community members can install MATLAB on any college or personally-owned computer by first creating a MathWorks account (see instructions above) and then downloading the appropriate MATLAB installer.  

Downloading MATLAB

Go to mathworks.com/downloads.  If needed, log in with your MathWorks account information.  Select the version of MATLAB that you would like to use.  ITS recommends using the latest version unless you have a reason to use an earlier release.  

Installing MATLAB

• Open the installer you downloaded from the MathWorks web site
• Under the dialog title "Install MathWorks Software", select "Log in with a MathWorks Account"
• When requested, enter your MathWorks account information.
• Continue through the installation wizard
• When prompted to do so, select the Academic – Total Headcount license type
  • Single users or Research Lab Computers: Select the Individual license 
  • Departmental or ITS Lab Computers: select the Concurrent license (see below for more installation instructions)
• You will be prompted which products you would like to install. Most people install MATLAB and all the toolboxes, but you can remove some items to reduce the disk space needed.  Make sure "License Manager" is unchecked since this is just for server installations.

License Expiration

Our agreement with the MathWorks allows any Swarthmore community member to install MATLAB and all available toolboxes without requiring a connection to a license manager every session. This makes it easier for faculty and students to do their work from off campus as well as eliminating the problem of running out of licenses.

MATLAB users need to check in with MathWorks every so often to make sure their licenses are still valid. If you receive a message that your license will expire, follow the instructions below:

1. Open MATLAB (If the license has already expired the activation client will launch and you can skip to step 4)
2. Navigate to Help Menu and select Licensing
3. Click on Activate Software
4. Choose to Activate using Internet
   1. Select the Individual license 
5. Once reactivated you will need to restart MATLAB before the new license file is recognized

If the installation has already expired, you will be prompted to activate when attempting to launch MATLAB. As long as the activation finishes successfully it will roll over to the new license file once the old one expires. You might continue to see the expiration warning in MATLAB until the old file expires.

Lab Computers

For lab or classroom computers, ITS recommends using a concurrent license instead of an individual license.  The concurrent license checks in with a license manager to verify the MATLAB license and does not require that the installation is tied to a single user's MathWorks account.  License updates happen at on the license manager so no yearly verification is required, unlike individual licenses.  

Follow the same download and installation instructions, but

• When prompted to do so, select the Academic – Total Headcount license labeled Concurrent.
• Download the license file and select it when prompted: license.lic

Changing Licenses

To switch between license types, follow the instructions provided by the MathWorks: https://www.mathworks.com/matlabcentral/answers/96751-how-do-i-update-my-matlab-license-file-for-an-individual-or-designated-computer-license#answer_106102