The first edition of Computer Simulations with Mathematica drew on the capabilities of Mathematica to prototype algorithms and to write code in a variety of programming styles, choosing the appropriate style for the problem at hand. Today, running very large simulations in Mathematics is quite feasible, within an order of magnitude of complied C and Fortran code. The new edition is updated and revised to accommodate all recent advances, including Mathematica 6, and use of Java programs. This is one of the first books to describe and take advantage of Mathematica 6, which contains a fantastic array of new visualization functions and dynamic interactive graphics machinery. The text is enriched by links to several web sites devoted to the topic.

This book/CD-ROM package uses the Mathematica programming language to demonstrate the use of computer simulation as a research tool in all of the sciences, providing materials for students and professionals in such fields as physics, biology, chemistry, ecology, materials science and urban planning. The use of MathLink and "C" programs allow readers to run the most time and memory intensive algorithms through a C-compiler on a local machine. Only a minimal background in Mathematica programming is assumed. Self-contained explanations of the Mathematica and the use of MathLink are given in the Appendices. Equal emphasis is placed on the development of efficient Mathematica programs and on the visualization and numerical analysis of computer simulation results.

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

Researches and developers of simulation models state that the Java program ming language presents a unique and significant opportunity for important changes in the way we develop simulation models today. The most important characteristics of the Java language that are advantageous for simulation are its multi-threading capabilities, its facilities for executing programs across the Web, and its graphics facilities. It is feasible to develop compatible and reusable simulation components that will facilitate the construction of newer and more complex models. This is possible with Java development environments. Another important trend that begun very recently is web-based simulation, i.e., and the execution of simulation models using Internet browser software. This book introduces the application of the Java programming language in discrete-event simulation. In addition, the fundamental concepts and prac tical simulation techniques for modeling different types of systems to study their general behavior and their performance are introduced. The approaches applied are the process interaction approach to discrete-event simulation and object-oriented modeling. Java is used as the implementation language and UML as the modeling language. The first offers several advantages compared to C++, the most important being: thread handling, graphical user interfaces (QUI) and Web computing. The second language, UML (Unified Modeling Language) is the standard notation used today for modeling systems as a collection of classes, class relationships, objects, and object behavior.

Mathematics course with 60 Java-based interactive mathematic simulations by the author Comprehensive and systematically organized collection of 2,000 Java-based physics simulations All simulations are runnable, and can be accessed both on- and offline Visualization of mathematic relationships Facilitates an experiment-based understanding of problems, including suggestions for your own mathematical experiments Calculation procedures can be adjusted in a variety of ways Introduction to simulation techniques with the EJS (Easy Java Simulation) tool Visual interface for simple and transparent modeling and programming Building block library for programming one's own simulations Quick access to simulations from links embedded in the digital text Mathematics is the language of physics and technology. Yet in the age of computers, mathematic skill is not based on mastery of arithmetic. Rather, it depends on understanding relationships in time and space, and expressing them with precise and clear formulas. In this regard, one cannot rely on the rote memorization of rules and formulas - insight and intuitive understanding are crucial. But how can this understanding be achieved in higher mathematics, which depends on abstract concepts such as complex numbers, real and complex infinite series, infinitesimal calculus, 2, 3, and 4 dimensional functions, conformal maps, vectors, and linear and nonlinear ordinary and partial differential equations? The author takes a highly practical approach to facilitating the insight essential for true learning in mathematics. Students can work directly with the simulation programs, can visualize relationships, and creatively interact with the calculation procedures. Proceeding in textbook fashion, the work makes use of a broad palette of multimedia tools, and features numerous interactive calculation programs for mathematical experimentation. Students merely have to select one of the many predefined examples and set the relevant parameters - and in a flash the results are graphically displayed in 2 or 3 dimensions. In addition, the specific functions used can be changed or even newly formulated according to user preferences. For example, a procedure developed for a fourth degree power function for the numerical calculation of zero points can be adapted for use with another function. Each simulation is accompanied by a detailed description, instructions for use, and numerous suggestions for experimentation. The mathematical simulations are based on the Easy Java Simulation (EJS) programming tool. All of the files developed with EJS are completely open and transparent. The user can even draw on the examples as building blocks for the development his or her own calculation procedures. The appendix contains a short introduction to EJS. The work is enriched by a comprehensive collection of cosmological simulations as well as models from the Open Source Physics project, organized by subject area. Intended as a systematic collection of methods and materials for upper-secondary school teachers and as a course for students of physics and mathematics, the work facilitates hands-on and experiment-driven learning in higher mathematics. The print version contains the electronic text and simulations for offline use. For questions concerning download or online access to the simulations, please contact [email protected].

This book addresses key conceptual issues relating to the modern scientific and engineering use of computer simulations. It analyses a broad set of questions, from the nature of computer simulations to their epistemological power, including the many scientific, social and ethics implications of using computer simulations. The book is written in an easily accessible narrative, one that weaves together philosophical questions and scientific technicalities. It will thus appeal equally to all academic scientists, engineers, and researchers in industry interested in questions (and conceivable answers) related to the general practice of computer simulations.

This book teaches you all necessary (problem-independent) tools and techniques needed to implement and perform sophisticated scientific numerical simulations. Thus, it is suited for undergraduate and graduate students who want to become experts in computer simulations in Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Engineering, Computer Science and other fields.

The developments within the computationally and numerically oriented ar eas of Operations Research, Finance, Statistics and Economics have been sig nificant over the past few decades. Each area has been developing its own computer systems and languages that suit its needs, but there is relatively little cross-fertilization among them yet. This volume contains a collection of papers that each highlights a particular system, language, model or paradigm from one of the computational disciplines, aimed at researchers and practitioners from the other fields. The 15 papers cover a number of relevant topics: Models and Modelling in Operations Research and Economics, novel High-level and Object-Oriented approaches to programming, through advanced uses of Maple and MATLAB, and applications and solution of Differential Equations in Finance. It is hoped that the material in this volume will whet the reader's appetite for discovering and exploring new approaches to old problems, and in the longer run facilitate cross-fertilization among the fields. We would like to thank the contributing authors, the reviewers, the publisher, and last, but not least, Jesper Saxtorph, Anders Nielsen, and Thomas Stidsen for invaluable technical assistance.

"The book provides a clear exposition of much that is relevant to simulation. . . . The authors then focus on the elements of computer simulation, namely, the assumptions upon which simulation is built: parameters, inputs or independent variables, algorithms or process decision rules, and outputs or dependent variables. Each of these facets, and the extent to which they need to be fully appreciated if simulation is to prove successful, is treated with care and clarity. . . Chapter 2 . . . is particularly well written and is exactly the type of treatment that should be included in a any graduate course on applied social research methods. . . Overall this is a book which many among the community of systems practitioners will find worthwhile reading." --Systems Practice "It is a readable book and--as intended--is easily accessible for the novice. The purpose and process of simulation modelling are described in brief, but clear, terms and are illustrated by the three well-chosen examples." --Telephone Surveys "This book is a good place to begin one's education in the potential for using computer simulations in theory building and policy analysis. As with any good book, it will whet your appetite and raise almost as many questions as it answers." --Social Science Computer Review Computer simulation represents one of the fastest growing areas for conducting research in the social sciences. Now, in Computer Simulation Applications, Marcia Lynn Whicker and Lee Sigelman show you how simulations can be used to analyze social systems for the purposes of theory building and policy analysis. They discuss the strengths and weaknesses of computer simulations as a research method and outline the various steps involved in designing a simulation model. In addition, they provide practical suggestions on how to use a simulation model to test hypotheses, how to evaluate and validate a model, and the relative advantages of general purpose programming languages versus specialized sensitivity testing. If you're currently conducting or considering computer simulations in your research, then this volume is a must for your professional toolkit.