Description
The LaTeX fundamentals course provides a hands-on introduction to LaTeX as a tool for creating scientific documents. Participants learn the core concepts, basic syntax, and typical workflows required to produce well-structured, reproducible, and high-quality texts.
The course focuses on the practical use of LaTeX in everyday academic work, such as reports, theses, publications, and project documentation. LaTeX is also introduced in the context of Research Data Management and Open Science: source-based documents support transparency, version control, and reuse, and integrate well into open and collaborative research workflows.
The fundamentals course also serves as a prerequisite and preparation for advanced workshops, in particular those focusing on the use of RWTH LaTeX templates for letters, presentations, and scientific posters in accordance with the RWTH Corporate Design.
Objective
The objective of the LaTeX fundamentals course is to provide participants with a solid foundation in using LaTeX, enabling them to independently create, structure, and edit scientific documents. After the workshop, participants will be able to understand LaTeX syntax, implement common document elements, and establish their own LaTeX workflow.
In addition, the course equips participants to effectively take part in advanced workshops—especially those on RWTH LaTeX templates for letters, presentations, and posters—and to adapt provided templates to their own needs. LaTeX is presented as a sustainable tool in line with good scientific practice and the principles of Open Science.
Methods
Live demo and exercises
Content
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Introduction to LaTeX and its role in academic writing
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Overview of the LaTeX ecosystem (distributions, editors, and compilation workflow)
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Structure of a LaTeX document (preamble, document body, classes, packages)
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Basic syntax and commands (text, sections, lists, references)
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Handling figures, tables, and simple mathematical expressions
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Bibliographies and citations using BibTeX/Biber
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Error handling and debugging common LaTeX issues
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Good practices for structuring, commenting, and maintaining LaTeX source files
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Introduction to version control and reproducibility in the context of Open Science
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Outlook: using and adapting RWTH LaTeX templates for letters, presentations, and posters
Participation Requirements
Local TeX-Installation or using Online-Service “Overleaf”
Target Audience
CPL, Young Academics, everyone who is interested in LaTeX
Appointments
| Number | 2026-WIP-053 |
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| Date |
25.2.2026 - 26.2.2026, 9am - 5pm
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| Course Coordinator | Team Forschungsdatenmanagement an der RWTH Aachen University |
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| Place |
IT Center, Kopernikusstr. 6, Room 004
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| Slots | 5 up to 25 |
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| Cooperation | IT Center |
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| Registration | RWTH-SingleSignOn
External registration
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