Mathub · resources

Free study resources for Montana State classes

Curated links for every class and for studying in general: free textbooks, video channels, practice sites, tools, and the campus services most students never use. Save any of them to your account inside Mathub.

Every class

The tools and habits that raise grades in any class: retrieval practice, spaced review, focus, and the sites everyone ends up using.

Khan Academy Videos
Free video lessons and practice for every math and science topic in these classes, with mastery tracking.
Wolfram|Alpha Tools
Type any math or physics question and get the answer with steps (steps need the paid tier; answers are free). Use it to check, not to skip the work.
Desmos graphing calculator Tools
The fastest way to see a function, a derivative, a limit or a data set. Sliders make parameters come alive.
Desmos scientific calculator Tools
A clean scientific calculator in the browser (also in Mathub Tools).
GeoGebra Tools
Interactive geometry, graphing, 3D and calculus applets; thousands of ready-made demos for unit circle, derivatives and vectors.
Symbolab Tools
Step-by-step solutions for algebra, calculus and trig. Good for checking a derivative or integral after you have tried it.
OpenStax Free books & notes
Peer-reviewed, completely free college textbooks: University Physics, Precalculus, Calculus, Statistics and more.
LibreTexts Free books & notes
A huge open library of textbooks and worked examples in math, physics, chemistry and computer science.
MIT OpenCourseWare Videos
Full MIT courses with lecture videos, problem sets and exams with solutions. Single-variable calculus and classical mechanics map closely to M171 and PHSX 220.
Anki Apps
The classic spaced-repetition flashcard app (free on desktop and Android). Mathub flashcards use the same idea; Anki is for building your own decks in any class.
Quizlet Apps
Shared flashcard sets for almost any textbook chapter; search your class name plus the chapter.
Retrieval Practice Free books & notes
The research behind why testing yourself beats rereading, with free guides for students.
Learning How to Learn (free course) Videos
The most-taken online course ever: focused vs. diffuse thinking, chunking, procrastination and memory, in short videos.
Cornell note-taking system Free books & notes
The two-column notes method that turns lecture notes into a self-quiz. Cornell explains it in one page.
Pomofocus Apps
A minimal Pomodoro timer with tasks, if you want one outside Mathub.
Forest Apps
Plant a tree that dies if you leave the app: the phone-blocking focus timer that actually works for a lot of people.
Lofi Girl Videos
Endless study music streams. Mathub focus sounds and your own MP3s live in the sound bubble.
Google Scholar Tools
Search academic papers and books; the "cite" button gives you MLA and APA formats instantly.
Zotero Apps
Free reference manager: save sources with one click and generate a bibliography in any style.
ZoteroBib Tools
Paste a URL, ISBN or DOI and get a formatted citation, no account needed.
Purdue OWL Reference
The reference for MLA and APA formatting, grammar and every kind of academic writing.
Crash Course Videos
Fast, funny overviews of physics, computer science, statistics and study skills.
Stack Exchange: Mathematics Community
Ask a precise math question and get a careful answer; search first, most questions have been asked.
Physics Stack Exchange Community
Conceptual physics questions answered by people who teach it.

At Montana State

Free help on campus that most students never use: tutoring, the Writing Center, the library, counseling and accommodations.

Office of Student Success Montana State
Free tutoring, academic coaching, study-skills workshops and the people to talk to when a semester goes sideways.
Free tutoring (Smarty Cats) Montana State
Drop-in and appointment tutoring for math, physics, writing and more, run through Student Success. Check the current schedule and rooms.
Math Learning Center Montana State
The Math department help room for M151Q and M171: instructors and TAs on duty, no appointment. Confirm hours on the page.
Writing Center Montana State
One-on-one help with any paper at any stage, in person or online. Book early before WRIT 101 deadlines.
MSU Library Montana State
Study rooms you can reserve, research help chat, textbooks on reserve, and quiet floors.
Counseling & Psychological Services Montana State
Free, confidential counseling for students, plus workshops on stress and test anxiety. Same-day options exist.
Office of Disability Services Montana State
Accommodations such as extended exam time, note-taking support and quiet testing rooms. Register early in the semester.
Registrar and academic calendar Montana State
Add/drop and withdrawal deadlines, finals schedule, registration dates. Mathub calendars mirror the class ones, but this is the source.
MyInfo Montana State
Grades, registration, transcripts, financial aid and your class schedule.
Student Health Partners Montana State
Medical care, dental and wellness on campus; sick notes and flu shots live here too.
Financial Aid Montana State
Scholarships, emergency funds and questions about aid.
MSU Bookstore Montana State
Textbook rentals and buybacks; compare with the free OpenStax and Active Calculus editions first.
Campus Recreation Montana State
The fitness center, climbing wall and intramurals. A workout the day before an exam beats a fourth hour of cramming.
Streamline bus Montana State
Free buses around Bozeman with live tracking.

Calculus I · M171

Active Calculus is the class text; these fill the gaps with videos, worked problems and answer checkers.

Active Calculus (the class text) Free books & notes
The free, interactive textbook M171 follows, with preview activities and WeBWorK-style exercises per section.
Paul's Online Math Notes: Calculus I Free books & notes
The clearest written explanations on the internet, with worked examples and practice problems that have solutions.
Paul's calculus cheat sheet (PDF) Reference
Four pages of every rule and identity you will use this semester.
Khan Academy: Calculus 1 Videos
Limits, derivatives, applications and integrals with exercises that give instant feedback.
Professor Leonard Videos
Full-length calculus lectures that are slower and clearer than most in-person lectures. Watch at 1.5x.
3Blue1Brown: Essence of Calculus Videos
Twelve short videos that make derivatives, the chain rule and integrals feel obvious. Watch before each unit.
The Organic Chemistry Tutor Videos
Dozens of worked problems per topic, exactly the kind that show up on exams.
PatrickJMT Videos
Short, focused problem walkthroughs; search the channel for the exact technique.
blackpenredpen Videos
Tricky limits, integrals and derivatives solved with real enthusiasm.
MIT 18.01 Single Variable Calculus Practice
Complete course with problem sets and exams (with solutions) for extra exam practice.
Derivative Calculator Tools
Shows the steps of a derivative, including which rule was used where. Check your homework, then close it.
Integral Calculator Tools
Same idea for integrals, with the substitution or parts steps spelled out.
Desmos: derivative explorer Tools
Type f(x) and then d/dx f(x) to watch the derivative graph track the slope. Great for the units 1 and 2 concept questions.

Physics I · PHSX 220

Free textbook, simulations you can push around, and the video channels that explain problems the way a good TA would.

OpenStax University Physics Volume 1 Free books & notes
The free textbook for the mechanics half of the course: read the summary and try the end-of-chapter problems (answers to odds are included).
PhET simulations Tools
Drag-and-play simulations for projectiles, forces, energy, momentum and pendulums. Ten minutes with one beats an hour of rereading.
Khan Academy: Physics Videos
Kinematics through rotation with practice questions.
Flipping Physics Videos
Every AP/intro mechanics topic as a short, careful lesson, with the common mistakes called out.
Michel van Biezen Videos
Thousands of worked physics problems organized by topic; find the one that looks like your homework.
MIT 8.01 Classical Mechanics Practice
Problem sets, worked solutions and exams from MIT for extra practice with a bit more depth.
HyperPhysics Reference
A concept map of all of physics: click a topic, get the formulas and the connections on one page.
The Physics Classroom Free books & notes
Tutorials and interactive exercises written for first-year physics, strong on free-body diagrams.
Isaac Physics Practice
Free problem sets with hints that scale up in difficulty; excellent for exam-style numerical questions.
Crash Course Physics Videos
Ten-minute overviews for each unit before you dive into problems.
Wolfram|Alpha unit conversions Tools
Type "72 km/h in m/s" or "0.5 hp in watts". Mathub Tools has a converter that works offline.

Precalculus · M151Q

Algebra and trig refreshers, unit-circle drills, and graphing tools for functions.

Khan Academy: Precalculus Videos
Functions, exponentials, logs, trig and vectors with instant-feedback practice.
Paul's Online Notes: Algebra and Trig Free books & notes
Written explanations with worked examples for every algebra topic that trips people up in calculus.
Paul's trig cheat sheet (PDF) Reference
Unit circle, identities, formulas: two pages to print and keep.
OpenStax Precalculus 2e Free books & notes
A full free textbook with practice problems and answers.
Professor Leonard: Precalculus Videos
Long, patient lectures on functions and trig.
Mathispower4u Videos
Thousands of five-minute examples, one problem type each. Search "Mathispower4u" plus the topic.
Purplemath Free books & notes
Plain-language algebra lessons for when a textbook explanation is not landing.
Math is Fun Free books & notes
Friendly explanations with interactive diagrams for functions, logs and trig.
Desmos Tools
Graph transformations, inverse functions and trig graphs with sliders.
GeoGebra unit circle Tools
Interactive unit circles to drill angles, radians and the six trig values.

College Writing · WRIT 101

Citation guides, editing tools, pronunciation help and the campus Writing Center.

MSU Writing Center Montana State
Free tutors for every stage of a WRIT 101 project, from brainstorming to a final polish. Book before deadline weeks fill up.
Purdue OWL: MLA formatting Reference
Headers, in-text citations and the Works Cited page, with examples for every source type.
Purdue OWL: APA style Reference
The same for APA 7, used by many other MSU classes.
ZoteroBib Tools
Paste a link or ISBN and get the MLA or APA citation. Mathub Tools has a citation builder too.
Hemingway Editor Tools
Highlights long sentences, passive voice and adverbs. Run a draft through it once, then decide what to keep.
Grammarly Tools
Grammar and clarity checks in the browser and in Docs; the free tier catches most slips.
LanguageTool Tools
An open-source grammar checker, good for writers whose first language is not English.
UNC Writing Center handouts Free books & notes
Two-page handouts on thesis statements, introductions, transitions, revising and every essay genre.
Harvard: Strategies for essay writing Free books & notes
How to outline, argue and conclude, from a college writing program.
Merriam-Webster Reference
Definitions with audio pronunciations and usage notes.
Thesaurus.com Reference
Find the precise word; check it in the dictionary before using it.
YouGlish Tools
Hear any English word pronounced in real YouTube clips, in American or British accents. Pairs with the Phonetics Lab.
Forvo Tools
Native speakers pronouncing words in hundreds of languages.
Project Gutenberg Free books & notes
Seventy thousand free classic books to read for pleasure or to pull examples from.

Joy and Beauty of Data · CSCI 127

Python from the official docs down to visual debuggers, practice sites and the libraries the class uses.

Python documentation Reference
The official reference. The Tutorial section is genuinely readable; the Library Reference is where you look things up.
The Python Tutorial Free books & notes
Chapters 3 to 9 cover everything CSCI 127 does, in the same order.
Python Tutor Tools
Paste code and step through it line by line, watching variables and the call stack. The single best tool for understanding loops, functions and lists.
W3Schools Python Free books & notes
Short pages with a "Try it yourself" editor for every language feature.
Automate the Boring Stuff with Python Free books & notes
A free book that teaches Python by doing useful things: files, spreadsheets, web pages.
Think Python (2nd edition) Free books & notes
A free, careful introduction to programming with Python, with exercises.
Real Python Free books & notes
In-depth tutorials on specific topics (f-strings, list comprehensions, classes) when the short version is not enough.
Corey Schafer Videos
The best Python video tutorials for beginners: clear, well-paced, with real examples.
Harvard CS50's Introduction to Programming with Python Videos
Free course with lectures and graded problem sets that line up with CSCI 127 topics.
Exercism: Python track Practice
Free practice exercises with mentoring, from hello world up.
Codewars Practice
Short coding challenges ranked by difficulty; the 8 kyu and 7 kyu ones fit this class.
Python turtle documentation Reference
Every turtle command with examples, for the drawing assignments.
NumPy: the absolute basics Reference
Arrays, indexing and vectorized math, explained for first-timers.
Matplotlib quick start Reference
The figure/axes model and the plot types the class uses.
10 minutes to pandas Reference
DataFrames, selecting, filtering and grouping in one page.
PEP 8 style guide Reference
How Python code is supposed to look; graders notice.
Thonny Apps
A beginner-friendly Python editor with a built-in debugger that shows variables as you step.
VS Code Apps
The editor most people move to; install the Python extension.
Replit Apps
Code in the browser from any device, with files and packages.
Stack Overflow Community
Search the exact error message in quotes. Read the accepted answer and the top comment.
regex101 Tools
Test regular expressions with a live explanation of each part.

Principles of Living Systems · BIOB 160

A free textbook that follows the same chapters, animations for the molecular parts, and genetics practice.

OpenStax Biology 2e Free books & notes
A free, full introductory biology textbook that covers the same chapters as Campbell.
Khan Academy: Biology Videos
Videos and practice on chemistry of life, cells, energy and genetics.
Amoeba Sisters Videos
Short, clear cartoon videos on mitosis, meiosis, Punnett squares, protein synthesis and more.
Bozeman Science Videos
Paul Andersen, a Bozeman teacher, walks through every intro biology topic on a whiteboard.
HHMI BioInteractive Videos
Free animations and data activities on DNA replication, gene expression and evolution.
Learn.Genetics (University of Utah) Tools
Interactive pages on DNA, inheritance and cell biology, including a virtual lab for PCR and gels.
PhET: Gene Expression Essentials Tools
Build a protein from a gene: transcription and translation you can control.

Kinesiology · KIN 322

Free anatomy references, region-by-region videos and quizzes, and the spinal cord injury standards.

OpenStax Anatomy & Physiology 2e Free books & notes
A free textbook; chapters 7–11 cover the skeleton, joints and muscles.
TeachMeAnatomy Reference
Clear pages for every joint, muscle and nerve, with clinical notes; organized by region like this class.
Kenhub Practice
Anatomy articles, videos and quizzes; many are free, some need an account.
AnatomyZone Videos
3D anatomy videos that rotate each joint and muscle group.
Physiopedia Reference
Reference pages on special tests, injuries and gait, written by physical therapists.
American Spinal Injury Association Reference
Home of the International Standards (ISNCSCI) exam used to classify spinal cord injuries.

Psychological Disorders · PSYX 340

Reliable information on each disorder, research and citation help for your papers, and where to get support.

OpenStax Psychology 2e: psychological disorders Free books & notes
A free, shorter second explanation of the major disorders (chapter 15) and therapy (chapter 16).
NIMH health topics Reference
The National Institute of Mental Health’s overviews of each disorder, with current research and statistics.
APA Dictionary of Psychology Reference
Precise definitions for the terms that show up on exams.
APA Style Reference
The official APA 7 guide for formatting and citing your reflection and term papers.
MSU Library Montana State
Search PsycInfo and PsycArticles for peer-reviewed sources, as the syllabus asks.
NAMI Free books & notes
The National Alliance on Mental Illness: plain-language guides written with people who live with these conditions.
SAMHSA National Helpline Wellbeing
Free, confidential treatment referral for mental health and substance use, 24/7: 1-800-662-4357.

Sleep, stress, help

The unglamorous things that matter more than any study hack. If you are struggling, the people below want to hear from you.

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline Wellbeing
Call or text 988 any time, in the US, for yourself or a friend. Free and confidential.
Crisis Text Line Wellbeing
Text HOME to 741741 to reach a trained counselor.
MSU Counseling & Psychological Services Montana State
Free counseling on campus, including same-day and group options.
Sleep Foundation: students Free books & notes
Why the all-nighter is the worst possible exam strategy, and what to do instead.
Headspace Apps
Guided meditation and focus music; the basics are free.
Insight Timer Apps
Thousands of free guided meditations, including short ones for before an exam.

Everything else lives in the app

Practice questions, flashcards, calendars, a focus room, a code playground and a class board.

Open resources in Mathub Study guides