Angela B. Shiflet and George W. Shiflet
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Introduction to Computational Science:
Modeling and Simulation for the Sciences
Angela B. Shiflet and George W. Shiflet
Wofford College
© 2006 by Princeton University Press
ISBN: 0-691-12565-1
Read This!
The MAA Online book review column
Reviewed by William J. Satzer
http://maa.org/reviews/ComputationalScience.html
Posted to MAA Reviews July 11, 2006.
Posted to Read This! August 29, 2006.
Excerpts from Review:
"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."
Computational Science is a quickly emerging field at the
intersection of the sciences, computer science, and mathematics because
much scientific investigation now involves computing as well as theory
and experiment. However, limited educational materials exist.
Introduction to Computational Science: Modeling and Simulation for the
Sciences fills this void with a flexible, readable textbook that assumes
only a background in high school algebra and enables instructors to
follow several pathways through the material.
The text embraces two major approaches to computational
science problems: system dynamics models with their global views
of major systems that change with time and cellular automaton
simulations with their local views of individuals affecting individuals.
Other topics comprise rate of change, errors, simulation techniques,
empirical modeling, and an introduction to high performance computing.
While the text is generic, an extensive author-generated website
contains tutorials and files in a variety of software packages to
accompany the text. Typically, an instructor selects one system
dynamics tool (such as STELLA; Vensim PLE, which is free for personal
and educational use; or Berkeley Madonna) and one computational tool
(such as Maple, Mathematica, MATLAB, or Excel) for class use.
The numerous examples, exercises, and projects explore
science applications. Moreover, the text covers and consistently
employs the modeling process in examples. Quick Review Questions
and answers give immediate feedback to reinforce a student's
understanding of the material. Two chapters of ten modules each
provide additional, substantial projects for students to develop
individually or in teams. Reference sections for most modules and
a glossary are also included.
Angela B. Shiflet is Larry Hearn McCalla Professor of
Mathematics and Computer Science and Chair of the Computer Science
Department at Wofford College in Spartanburg, South Carolina. With
a national reputation as a leader in computational science education,
she was instrumental in the development of Wofford's Emphasis in
Computational Science, which the National Science Foundation helped to
fund through a CCLI grant. Eleven summer faculty research
positions at three national government laboratories have provided
background and experience that have enriched this textbook and six
others in computer science and mathematics that she authored.
Originally trained as an aquatic ecologist, Professor
George W. Shiflet expanded his research and teaching interests into the
areas of molecular/cellular biology, simulation and modeling of
biological systems and genetics. During summers between 1979 and 1998,
he was a visiting researcher at the University of South Carolina School
of Medicine, the University of California-Berkeley, the Greenwood
Genetic Center, and the Neuropsychiatric Institute at UCLA Medical
Center. Professor Shiflet has won two teaching awards and has
served as a department chair for more than twenty years. In 2003, he was
named the Dr. and Mrs. Larry H. McCalla Professor of Biology at Wofford
College in Spartanburg, SC.