System Requirements

If you encounter any difficulty, please check the following:

Operating system and browser

• Basic requirements for Mastering
• Requirements for editing and creating content (Instructors only)

System settings and Internet connection

• Screen resolution
• Pop-up blockers
• Cookie filters
• Javascript
• Internet connection

Players, plugins, and unzipping files

Pearson eText app for tablets

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.

Operating system and browser

Basic requirements for Mastering

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

Windows XP, Vista, Windows 7
Supported browsers:
Firefox 7.0, 8.0, 9.0 (9.0 on Windows XP, Windows 7)
Google Chrome 16.0
Internet Explorer 8.0, 9.0
Safari 5.0

Mac OS 10.6, 10.7
Supported browsers:
Firefox 7.0, 8.0, 9.0
Safari 5.0

Ubuntu 8.10
(Although not fully tested, other Linux distributions may also work.)
Supported browsers:
Firefox 7.0, 8.0

What about Apple iPad? An app is available for the Pearson eText on tablets. Otherwise, the iPad is not supported by Mastering. Mastering assignments require Adobe Flash technology. (More about Flash Player requirement)

Requirements for editing and creating content (Instructors 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 7.0, 8.0, 9.0 (Firefox 9.0 on Windows XP, Windows 7)
  If you notice some slowness with this editor in Internet Explorer, please use Firefox instead.
• Mac OS users: Firefox 7.0, 8.0, 9.0

Advanced Editor

• Windows users: Windows XP, Vista, 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 connection: Broadband is required. (Dial-up is inadequate.)

System settings and Internet connection

Screen Resolution

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

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

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 type the appropriate URL, as it applies to your site: session.masteringchemistry.com, session.masteringbiology.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.masteringchemistry.com, session.masteringbiology.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 your Mastering site (such as session.masteringchemistry.com, session.masteringbiology.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.

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.)

Players, plugins, and unzipping files

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)
AandP		X					X
Astronomy		X					X
Biology	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
Physics		X		X

* Version 11.1.102.55
** Java installation includes Java Runtime Environment (JRE), Java plug-in, and Java Virtual Machine (JVM).

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. This utility may be triggered automatically. If not, you may need to identify a program to extract (unzip) the files in the .zip archive, such as an extraction wizard or some freeware. Unzipping files takes just a few seconds. The extracted size will be larger than the original, zipped version.

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.

Pearson eText app for tablets

The Pearson eText app is available for iPad and Android tablets. Details about the Pearson eText app for tablets, including how to get it.

• Work you do using the Pearson eText (adding notes, highlights, bookmarks, and any search history) is synchronized between your tablet and your Windows or Mac OS computer.
• You must own a subscription to the Pearson eText. This may be provided with your access to Mastering.
• Before you download the Pearson eText app, you must open the Pearson eText at least once from your Windows or Mac OS computer.