1/15/2012

A First Course in Scientific Computing: Symbolic, Graphic, and Numeric Modeling Using Maple, Java, Mathematica, and Fortran90 Review

A First Course in Scientific Computing: Symbolic, Graphic, and Numeric Modeling Using Maple, Java, Mathematica, and Fortran90
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Landau takes a refreshingly different approach to teaching students scientific computation. The field can be considered as two parts. One, the older and more heavily used, is about the "traditional" numerical analysis. You crunch numbers, and you get numbers out. The other approach is symbolic algebra.
Usually a text only deals with one type. Here, he teaches both. Plus, for each type, he offers the choice of two languages. For the numerical analysis, there is Fortran, version 90, and Java. While the symbolic algebra is performed using Mathematica or Maple. Ecumenical indeed!
These are excellent choices of languages. Fortran still dominates legacy numerical analysis, with massive libraries of subroutines that one has to work with or maintain. While Java lets the student learn good object oriented practices.
And Mathematica and Maple are perhaps the most common symbolic packages available.

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This book offers a new approach to introductory scientific computing. It aims to make students comfortable using computers to do science, to provide them with the computational tools and knowledge they need throughout their college careers and into their professional careers, and to show how all the pieces can work together. Rubin Landau introduces the requisite mathematics and computer science in the course of realistic problems, from energy use to the building of skyscrapers to projectile motion with drag. He is attentive to how each discipline uses its own language to describe the same concepts and how computations are concrete instances of the abstract.

Landau covers the basics of computation, numerical analysis, and programming from a computational science perspective. The first part of the printed book uses the problem-solving environment Maple as its context, with the same material covered on the accompanying CD as both Maple and Mathematica programs; the second part uses the compiled language Java, with equivalent materials in Fortran90 on the CD; and the final part presents an introduction to LaTeX replete with sample files.

Providing the essentials of computing, with practical examples, A First Course in Scientific Computing adheres to the principle that science and engineering students learn computation best while sitting in front of a computer, book in hand, in trial-and-error mode. Not only is it an invaluable learning text and an essential reference for students of mathematics, engineering, physics, and other sciences, but it is also a consummate model for future textbooks in computational science and engineering courses.

A broad spectrum of computing tools and examples that can be used throughout an academic career
Practical computing aimed at solving realistic problems
Both symbolic and numerical computations
A multidisciplinary approach: science + math + computer science
Maple and Java in the book itself; Mathematica, Fortran90, Maple and Java on the accompanying CD in an interactive workbook format


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