Quick Start Guide

Ready to begin? This guide gets you started in the Course Project based on your mathematical background and computational experience.

🚀 In 5 Minutes: Find Your Starting Point

Step 1: Take the Assessment

Navigate to Prerequisites & Self-Assessment and complete the quick skills checklist (2 minutes).

Step 2: Choose Your Track

Based on your assessment results:

🟢 Beginner Track (0-3 checkboxes)

Start with Linux Essentials for Mathematics Students

🟡 Intermediate Track (4-7 checkboxes)

Jump to Project Management for Research

🔴 Advanced Track (8+ checkboxes)

Begin with Containers for Mathematical Computing

Step 3: Set Up Your Environment

Follow the setup instructions in your chosen starting module.

Step 4: Join the Community

Connect with other students on Slack for questions and collaboration.

📖 For Instructors: Teaching This Course

New to teaching computational tools to mathematics students?

  1. Review the Instructor Guide: Start with 📚 Instructor Guide for comprehensive teaching strategies

  2. Understand Your Students: Most CSMI students are mathematicians, not computer scientists

  3. Emphasize Mathematical Relevance: Always connect tools to mathematical research applications

  4. Plan for Mixed Skill Levels: Use the 3-track system to accommodate different backgrounds

Key Success Factors: - Begin with mathematical motivation for each tool - Provide plenty of hands-on practice with mathematical examples - Support struggling students with peer mentoring - Connect tools to real mathematical research workflows

🎯 Learning Objectives by Track

🟢 Foundational Track Goals

By completion, students will: - Navigate Linux systems confidently for mathematical computing - Use Git to manage LaTeX documents and research code - Set up VS Code for mathematical work - Apply basic project management to research projects

🟡 Intermediate Track Goals

By completion, students will: - Collaborate effectively on mathematical research projects - Create reproducible computational environments - Manage complex research projects with multiple collaborators - Understand automation basics for mathematical workflows

🔴 Advanced Track Goals

By completion, students will: - Deploy mathematical software on HPC systems - Implement sophisticated automation for mathematical research - Create production-quality mathematical software workflows - Lead computational mathematics projects

🛠️ Technical Requirements

All Students Need:

  • Computer with administrative privileges

  • Internet connection for downloads

  • 20GB free disk space

  • Text editor (VS Code recommended)

Additional for Advanced Track:

  • Access to Linux system (native, VM, or WSL)

  • 8GB+ RAM for container work

  • Basic familiarity with command line

❓ Common Questions

"I’m a pure mathematician - do I really need these tools?"

Modern mathematics increasingly involves computation, collaboration, and data analysis. These tools will make your research more efficient and reproducible, whether you’re working on theoretical proofs or applied problems.

"What if I get stuck or fall behind?"

  • Use the Slack community for peer support

  • Attend instructor office hours

  • Form study groups with other mathematics students

  • Remember: you can always go back to review earlier concepts

"How much time should I expect to spend?"

  • Foundational Track: 4-6 hours per week for 6-8 weeks

  • Intermediate Track: 3-4 hours per week for 4-6 weeks

  • Advanced Track: 2-3 hours per week for 3-4 weeks

"Can I switch tracks if I chose wrong?"

Absolutely! The tracks are flexible. If you find content too easy or challenging, you can adjust your path at any time.

🎉 Ready to Begin?

Choose your starting point and dive in:

🟢 START HERE

New to computational tools?

Linux Essentials →

🟡 JUMP AHEAD

Some programming experience?

Project Management →

🔴 ADVANCED START

Ready for HPC workflows?

Containers & HPC →

Remember: This is a journey, not a race. Focus on understanding concepts deeply rather than rushing through modules. The tools you learn here will serve you throughout your mathematical career!

Pro Tip: Keep a learning journal as you progress through the course. Note which concepts click easily and which require more practice. This will help you identify your strengths and areas for continued development.