Introduction to Computational Science:
Modeling and Simulation for the Sciences (Second Edition)

“This book’s table of contents has, perhaps through style, organization, and its own expressiveness, a motivational quality that prevails over its conceivably intimidating display of the book’s very wide scope. In this unique work are found, in one place, many ‘things [I] have always wanted to know about … but [was] afraid to ask.’”

“The many topics considered are, for one thing, vehicles (my word) for treating and teaching, in this case with consummate pedagogy, diverse computation techniques … In other words, the authors impart understanding to a maximal degree with this carefully explicated and annotated algorithmic (my application of this term) approach.”

“The 14 chapters are each partitioned into modules (rather than sections) with integral exercises and projects. This type of arrangement is quite effective, as the work in a module has a beginning, middle, and end, thus lending particular focus and closure to learning a specific (sub)topic or technique.”

“This careful pedagogy pervades the book, as do the non-apologetically elementary background or tutorial sections of many modules … ‘Each module involving a scientific application covers the prerequisite science without overwhelming the reader with excessive detail’ is a claim the authors make with full justification.”

“This decidedly distinguished work is a great contribution to our profession at large, and has my highest recommendation.”

“Introduction to Computational Science is a marvelous introduction to the field, suitable even for beginning undergraduates and full of wonderful examples.”

“Application modules draw from biology, physics, chemistry and economics, with biology and physics dominating somewhat. Some of the most interesting applications are models of bungee jumping, malaria, the spread of a forest fire, ideal gas laws and scuba diving, and the movement of ants. The scientific background behind each application is clearly and succinctly described and each topic is well-motivated. Modules typically include ‘quick review’ questions, more or less straightforward exercises, and a collection of more extended ‘project’ problems. All of these are well integrated with the text.”

“This is a visually appealing book that seems to invite browsing. It has been carefully and thoughtfully written with students clearly in mind.”

“There are several avenues for broadening the mathematics major. One of the most promising is to introduce computational science early in the undergraduate curriculum. Besides the benefits this offers to the prospective math major, practical knowledge of computational science is increasingly important in the sciences and engineering, and most particularly biology.”

“Introduction to Computational Science: Modeling and Simulation for the Sciences is an excellent text to get beginning undergraduate students excited about numerical simulation and modeling. Its coverage of systems modeled as ordinary differential equations is particularly strong, and the wide variety of projects and comprehensive downloadable tutorials are an extra bonus.”

“If you only glance through the book, you’ll miss a large part of the material presented by the authors: the online tutorials … The tutorials are comprehensive, taking students from the first time they start up the computational tool through modeling the physical systems presented in the text. I worked through some of the Vensim tutorials without any problems and believe the tutorials would be invaluable for teaching a course based on the book.”