System Requirements

If you encounter any difficulty, please check the following:

Supported browsers on Windows and Mac OS

• Required players and plugins
• Required browser settings: Pop-up blockers, Cookie filters, Javascript
• Other requirements: Internet connection, Screen resolution, About unzipping files

Mobile apps for Android and iOS (optional)

• App to check course assignment info and announcements (smartphones and tablets)
• Pearson eText app (tablets)

Educators only: Requirements for editing and creating content

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.

Supported browsers on Windows and Mac OS

Clicking a browser name below opens a page where you can download that browser.

Windows XP, Windows 7
Supported browsers:*
Firefox 17.0
Google Chrome 23.0
Internet Explorer 8.0 (Windows XP), 9.0 (Windows 7)

Mac OS 10.6, 10.7, 10.8
Supported browsers:*
Firefox 17.0
Safari 5.0 (Mas OS 10.6, 10.7), 6.0 (Mac OS 10.8)
Google Chrome 23.0

* Newer versions of these browsers may also be supported. As newer versions become available, these are also tested as part of Pearson's commitment to quality. If any recent browser version is not supported, it will be noted in these system requirements.

Required players and plugins

All Mastering products require that you have the Adobe Flash Player. You should download any needed player, plug-in, or application BEFORE opening any assignments. Otherwise, you could lose valuable time during a timed assignment.

Click a link below to open a page from which you can choose to download or test.

Mastering Product	Adobe Reader	Flash Player* (Test whether installed)	Google Earth application (Pro upgrade not needed.)	Java**	PowerPoint Viewer	QuickTime Player (Pro upgrade not needed.)	Shockwave Player (Test whether installed)	Silverlight
AandP		X					X
Astronomy		X					X	X (Study Area)
Biology	X	X		X		X	X
Chemistry	X	X		X	X	X	X (Study Area)
Engineering		X
Environmental- Science	X	X
Genetics		X					X
Geography		X	X
Geology		X	X
Microbiology		X
Nutrition	X	X					X
Oceanography		X	X
Physics		X		X

* Minimum version 11.1.102.55
** Note that Java installation includes Java Runtime Environment (JRE), Java plug-in, and Java Virtual Machine (JVM). MarvinSketch and MarvinView molecular drawing and viewing tools used in MasteringChemistry require Java 7, update 7 (also known as 1.7.0_7) or later. If you don't have a compatible version of Java, you will be prompted to download this when you try to work with any Marvin tool. Troubleshooting Java installation for Marvin tools

Required browser settings

Pop-up windows must be allowed for the site.

If a pop-up blocker is active, you may not be able to see some kinds of information in Mastering or in the Advanced Editor content authoring tool. To remedy this, allow pop-ups from the Mastering site. How to allow Mastering pop-up windows

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.

Other requirements

Internet Connection

Broadband cable, high-speed DSL, fiber-optic, or other equivalent is recommended. Minimum modem rate = 56kb/s (may be inadequate for video content)

• Support info for wireless Internet connectivity issues
• Wi-Fi hotspot (such as AT&T mobile Internet service): Some issues have been reported with this type of setup. If you cannot sign in to Mastering, please use one of the recommended connection types listed above.

Screen Resolution

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

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

About unzipping files

As you work on assignments, you may be asked to open or save a file whose name ends in .zip. Such files need to be extracted or unzipped from their compressed state so you can see them. A zip/unzip utility may be included with your operating system. If you don’t have such a utility or don’t know how to unzip files, search the Internet for unzip files on and identify your browser or operating system.

Mobile apps for Android and iOS

The following optional, free mobile apps are available for your convenience.

App to check course assignment info and announcements
(smartphones and tablets)

After you have signed in to your Mastering course at least once from your Windows or Mac OS computer, you can use the Pearson MyLab and Mastering Mobile Dashboard app to check Mastering course announcements and assignment due dates, completion status, and scores. Check for latest supported mobile devices and how to get this app

Pearson eText app (tablets)

After you open the eText at least once from your Windows or Mac OS computer, you can also access this eText on your iPad or Android tablet. You must own a subscription to the Pearson eText. (This may be provided with your access to Mastering.) For more info, including supported devices and how to get this app, see FAQs for iPad users or FAQs for Android users.

Requirements for editing and creating content (Educators only)

The Simple Editor and the Advanced Editor (also known as the Authoring Tool) enable you to produce custom assignable items. Requirements for these editors are a bit more strict than for Mastering.

Simple Editor

• Windows XP, Vista, Windows 7 users: Internet Explorer 8.0 or 9.0; Firefox 17.0
  If you notice some slowness with this editor in Internet Explorer, please use Firefox instead.
• Mac OS users: Firefox 17.0

Advanced Editor

• Windows users: Windows XP or Windows 7
• Mac OS users: You need a Windows emulator. Recommended emulator(s).
• Browser: Regardless of your operating system, you MUST use Internet Explorer (8.0 or 9.0).
  Internet Explorer 9 users on Windows 7: Choose the 32-bit version labeled "Internet Explorer" (not the one labeled 64-bit). After you have opened the Advanced Editor in 32-bit mode, it will automatically open in this mode every subsequent time.
• Internet connection: Broadband is required. (Dial-up is inadequate.)