Matlab for scientists: a beginners course

An application-based course designed for people in research.

Created bySven Leach

Last updated 10/2018

English

English [Auto],

What you'll learn

You will be able to explore and visualize your data using linegraphs, barplots, etc.
You will be able to adjust your data to your needs (load data, change data values, create dummy data, etc.).
You will be able to extract important summaries of your data (mean, variance, median, etc.).
You will be able to apply fundamental Matlab functions (for-loops, if-statements).
You will be able to differentiate vectors, matrices, cells, and structures. Besides, you will know their individual benefits.

Course content

1 section • 12 lectures • 1h 34m total length

Interface6:20
Explore Matlab's interface, including the command window, workspace, current folder and address bar; set layouts, save them, create variables, and visualize data.
scripts6:31
Learn to write and run MATLAB scripts in the editor to automate repetitive tasks, manage variables, and visualize data with bar plots using the display function.
for-loops9:43
Learn to automate folder creation in Matlab with a for loop and makedir, manage the current directory, and convert numbers to strings for subject folders.
if-else6:34
Learn how to use if statements in Matlab to create subject folders for numbers 1 to 9 versus 10 and above, controlled by a for loop and end.
import data9:29
Learn to import data into Matlab with GUI and code, handle text and comma-separated files, and use options for variable names, row names, and header lines.
plots13:34
Learn to import unemployment data in Matlab, extract women and men series, and visualize them as a two-line plot with axis labels, legend, and saving the figure.
vectors & matrices5:27
Master vectors and matrices in MATLAB, creating 1x5 vectors and 2x3 matrices, using rand, zeros, and ones, and applying mean, max, and indexing with the colon operator.
cells6:22
Learn how to create and use cell arrays in Matlab to store text and numbers, index with braces or parentheses, and apply max with cellfun on unemployment data.
structures6:33
Build and index MATLAB structures with dot notation, storing numbers and text across named fields. Use fieldnames, remove field, and isfield to inspect and manage data.
error messages8:49
Master Matlab error messages by identifying common issues like indexing beyond matrix dimensions and invalid assignments, and apply practical debugging tips to fix them efficiently.
debugging10:22
Learn to use Matlab's debugger to locate and fix errors by setting breakpoints, stepping through code, and inspecting variables, including loop indexing.
10 tipps & tricks4:59
Begin every MATLAB script with clc, clear all, and close all to reset the workspace, then use semicolons to suppress output and explore logical indexing.

Requirements

Matlab should be installed on your computer.
Your computer should run on Windows.
No prior knowledge in Matlab required.

Description

This Matlab course will help you to get started in your career as a student, researcher or scientist working with Matlab. Whether you need to pass an exam or apply data analysis on behavioral or physiological data, this course is definitely made for you. You will master the basics of Matlab in no time. You will be able to automate repetetive tasks and visualize your data in less than two hours. Very concise videos make it possible.

To introduce myself: I am a researcher myself (PhD student in sleep research, nice to meet you), who has worked and taught Matlab for more than 3 years now. I have realized how important it is to master Matlab to analyse your data yourself. Especially as a person completely new to programming, learning Matlab can be a quite exhausting experience. In this course, however, you will learn from application-based material, which is both concise and fun. I created this online course so that your Matlab journey is both as smooth and delightful as possible.

So have a nice trip, let me guide you through Matlab wonderland and enjoy the ride!

P.S.: This course will be continously improved with the feedback you give. I'm sure I can still learn a lot in respect to producing high-quality videos. As your enrollment guarantees access for all your life, you will benefit from it yourself, as well.

Who this course is for:

Students, PhD students, scientists and researchers who have no or very little knowledge about Matlab and only a very basic understanding of programming itself.
Students, PhD students, scientists and researchers in need to analyze quantitative data.
Students, PhD students, scientists and researchers who attend real life courses and need supplement for e.g. passing an exam.