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

by Rubin H. Landau

Book Overview

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...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0691121834
• ISBN13: 9780691121833
• Release Date: May 2005
• Publisher: Princeton University Press
• Length: 512 Pages
• Weight: 2.45 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.3" x 7.3" x 10.3"

Customer Reviews

unusual teaching of numerical analysis and symbolic algebra

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.