Topics and features:

• Provides a strong interdisciplinary introduction to computational science
• Discusses such issues as the use of computer simulations, the limits of precision in a computer, and the amount of work performed by software to complete a task
• Covers the cross-disciplinary application of data representation, algorithms, self-defining data, and performance complexity
• Examines the close links between computer science and such scientific and engineering fields as bioinformatics, chemical kinetics, hydrogeological modeling, and mechanics of materials
• Describes the contributions of computer science to engineering analysis, GIS, flow analysis, solving equations, curve fitting, optimization, and data acquisition
• Contains review questions, exercises, and discussion prompts throughout the text, together with chapter objectives and an appendix on using LabQuest

This classroom-tested and activity-based textbook has been developed for teaching second-semester freshmen and sophomore non-computer science STEM majors, structured around a discovery learning approach. The work is also ideal for self-teaching.

Dr. Kevin Brewer is Co-Chair and Professor in the Department of Engineering in the Walker School of Engineering at Olivet Nazarene University, Bourbonnais, IL, USA. Dr. Cathy Bareiss is a Professor of Computer Science at the same institution.