Introduction to MATLAB

Date: 24 September 2026 (Thu)

Time: 10:00 - 12:00

Location: Online

Target Audience: Students

Medium of Instruction: English

Summary
MATLAB (Matrix Laboratory) is a high-level programming language and interactive environment primarily used for numerical computation, data analysis, algorithm development, and visualization. Since its introduction in the 1980s, MATLAB has become an essential tool in fields such as engineering, science, and economics.
This hands-on workshop provides beginners with foundational skills in MATLAB, covering its interface, basic syntax, and core functionalities. Participants will learn to perform array creation and manipulations, visualize data, write simple scripts, and apply MATLAB to solve engineering and scientific problems. Through practical exercises, attendees will gain confidence in using arrays, loops, and functions while exploring real-world applications. Ideal for students and professionals new to programming or computational analysis. No prior experience required.

Speaker

Yueyi Xu, Education customer Success Engineer, MathWorks
Yueyi Xu is an Education Customer Success Engineer at MathWorks. She primarily responsible for university collaborations and supporting faculty in teaching and research. Yueyi holds a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from Dalian University of Technology and a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from Texas Tech University, USA, where she engaged in research related to molecular dynamics simulation.

Objective

You will build a strong foundation in using MATLAB for data analysis and problem-solving in science and engineering, empowering you to confidently explore your own field using MATLAB moving forward.

What You Will Learn in the Session

• Introduction to MATLAB: Learn how to use MATLAB for data analysis, algorithm development, and visualization.
• Industrial Relevance: Discover stories of how MATLAB supports researchers and engineers in overcoming real-world challenges.
• Hands-on Exercises: Gain practical experience by writing your first line of MATLAB code and progressing to solve a real-world problem.

Agenda

This workshop is designed for students with little or no prior MATLAB experience. Because the session is limited to two hours, we will focus on the most essential MATLAB skills needed to get started. Topics after plotting will be introduced briefly as self-study resources for continued learning.

• Brief Introduction to MATLAB
• MATLAB Desktop, Command Window, and Editor
• Variables, Vectors, and Matrices
• Array Indexing and Modification
• Array Calculations and Built-in Functions
• MATLAB Documentation and Help Resources
• Basic Plotting
• Next Step: Further Learning Resources — Data Import, Logical Arrays, Programming, and Projects

Prior to the Workshop, please make sure you register your MATLAB account by clicking “Sign in to get started” at: https://ww2.mathworks.cn/academia/tah-portal/the-hong-kong-polytechnic-university-31720303.html

As the workshop will include live demonstrations, please also ensure that you have a laptop available so that you can follow along and try the exercises during the session.