System Requirements

If you encounter any difficulty, please check the following:

• Basic system requirements
• Screen resolution
• Internet connection
• Flash player
• Shockwave player (MasteringBiology only)
• QuickTime player (MasteringBiology, MasteringChemistry only)
• Pop-up blockers
• Cookie filters
• Javascript
• Instructors only: Authoring Tool system requirements

About updating your computer to meet requirements: You may need administrative access to be able to install applications or make other changes to your computer. If the computer you are using is not your own personal property, you may need to contact your organization's IT department to make such updates.

Basic system requirements

Windows XP, Vista
Supported browsers:
Firefox 2.0, 3.0, 3.5
Internet Explorer 6.0, 7.0, 8.0
Safari 3.x, 4.0

MacOS 10.3, 10.4, 10.5
Supported browsers:
Firefox 2.0, 3.0, 3.5
Safari 3.x, 4.0

Ubuntu 8.10
(Although not fully tested, other Linux distributions may also work.)
Supported browsers:
Firefox 3.0, 3.5

Screen Resolution

Minimum screen resolution: 1024 pixels wide by 768 pixels high
To check and adjust screen resolution:

• MacOS users: Go to the Monitors Control Panel.
• Windows users: Start > Control Panel > Display > Settings > Screen Resolution

Internet Connection

56kbps modem minimum. Broadband cable, high-speed DSL, or other equivalent is recommended for multimedia content. (Multimedia content may be used in assignments or may be available in a self-study area.)

Flash Player

ALL Mastering products require that you have the Adobe Flash Player installed (version 9.0.115.0 minimum, version 9.0.124.0 recommended). Linux users: Flash Player version 10 is required.
MasteringBiology users: You also need the Shockwave Player. You can install the Flash and/or Shockwave players from the same location.

• To test whether the needed player is installed on your computer, go to: http://www.adobe.com/shockwave/welcome/.
• To download: Go to http://www.adobe.com/downloads/ or click a link from the test page. Then, test again to make sure the player has been installed.

QuickTime Player (applies only to MasteringBiology and MasteringChemistry users)

Download the latest QuickTime free player from: http://www.apple.com/quicktime/download/. (Note: The QuickTime Pro upgrade is not required.)

Pop-up windows must be allowed for the site.

To allow pop-up windows in Firefox:

1. Click Tools > Options > Content.
2. Check to see whether Block Popup Windows is on.
3. Click Allowed Sites to the right of Block Popup Windows and add the following URL, as it applies to your site: session.masteringphysics.com, session.masteringchemistry.com, session.masteringastronomy.com, etc.
4. Click Allow, then Close, then OK.

To allow pop-up windows in Internet Explorer:

1. Click Tools > Pop-up Blocker.
2. Click Pop-up Blocker Settings.
3. Type the appropriate site URL in the Address of Web site to allow box, as it applies to your site:
   session.masteringphysics.com, session.masteringchemistry.com, session.masteringastronomy.com, etc.
4. Click Add.

To allow pop-up windows in other browsers: Check your browser Help.

You may have other pop-up blockers enabled:
For example, pop-up blockers may be active through the Yahoo Toolbar or Google Toolbar. If so, you must either disable these (may not be preferable) or set these to allow pop-ups from: session.masteringphysics.com, session.masteringchemistry.com, session.masteringastronomy.com, etc.

Cookie Filters

If you filter cookies, you must allow session cookies to be set for your Mastering product.
Click here to learn how.

Javascript must be enabled.

Click here for instructions on enabling Javascript for various browsers.

Simple Editor and Advanced Editor system requirements [For instructors only]

Instructors can use the Simple Editor and the Advanced Editor (the Authoring Tool) to add their own assignable items or customize items.

Simple Editor

• Windows XP or Vista users: Internet Explorer 7.x or 8.0 or Firefox 3.x
• MacOS users: Firefox 3.x

Advanced Editor

• Windows users: Windows 2000, XP, Vista
• MacOS users: You need a Windows emulator. Recommended emulator(s).
• Browser: Regardless of your operating system, you MUST use Internet Explorer (version 6.x, 7.x, or 8.0.
• Internet connection: Broadband is required. (Dial-up is inadequate.)