Introduction to Computational Science

Computational science is an exciting new field at the intersection of the sciences, computer science, and mathematics because much scientific investigation now involves computing as well as theory and experiment. This textbook provides students with a versatile and accessible introduction to the subject. It assumes only a background in high school algebra, enables instructors to follow tailored pathways through the material, and is the only textbook of its kind designed specifically for an introductory course in the computational science and engineering curriculum. While the text itself is generic, an accompanying website offers tutorials and files in a variety of software packages. This fully updated and expanded edition features two new chapters on agent-based simulations and modeling with matrices, ten new project modules, and an additional module on diffusion. Besides increased treatment of high-performance computing and its applications, the book also includes additional quick review questions with answers, exercises, and individual and team projects.* The only introductory textbook of its kind--now fully updated and expanded* Features two new chapters on agent-based simulations and modeling with matrices* Increased coverage of high-performance computing and its applications* Includes additional modules, review questions, exercises, and projects* An online instructor's manual with exercise answers, selected project solutions, and a test bank and solutions (available only to professors)* An online illustration package is available to professors

"The first edition of this book had received very positive feedback and was warmly welcomed by the mathematical community. It is very good news for all us is that the second revised edition is even better!"--Svitlana P. Rogovchenko, Zentralblatt MATH Praise for the previous edition: "The heart of Introduction to Computational Science is a collection of modules. Each module is either a discussion of a general computational issue or an investigation of an application... [This book] has been carefully and thoughtfully written with students clearly in mind."--William J. Satzer, MAA Reviews Praise for the previous edition: "Introduction to Computational Science is useful for students and others who want to obtain some of the basic skills of the field. Its impressive collection of projects allows readers to quickly enjoy the power of modern computing as an essential tool in building scientific understanding."--Wouter van Joolingen, Physics Today Praise for the previous edition: "A masterpiece. I know of nothing comparable. I give it five stars."--James M. Cargal, UMAP Journal Praise for the previous edition: "This is an important book with a wonderful collection of examples, models, and references."--Robert M. Panoff, Shodor Education Foundation Praise for the previous edition: "This is a very good introduction to the field of computational science."--Peter Turner, Clarkson University "Despite its substantial weight, the book is extremely user friendly... There are many different courses that one could build with this book as foundation, and it is an indispensible resource for anyone seeking to bring modeling projects into their classes."--David M. Bressoud, UMAP Journal

Angela B. Shiflet is the Larry Hearn McCalla Professor of Mathematics and Computer Science and director of computational science at Wofford College. George W. Shiflet is the Larry Hearn McCalla Professor of Biology at Wofford College.