Introduction to Applied Mathematics for Environmental Science - Softcover

Parkhurst, David F.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 144194169X ISBN 13: 9781441941695

Publisher: Springer, 2010

Synopsis

This book teaches mathematical structures and how they can be applied in environmental science. Each chapter presents story problems with an emphasis on derivation. For each of these, the discussion follows the pattern of first presenting an example of a type of structure as applied to environmental science. The definition of the structure is presented, followed by additional examples using MATLAB, and analytic methods of solving and learning from the structure.

About this title

From the Back Cover:

Introduction to Mathematics for Environmental Science evolved from the author’s 30 years’ experience teaching mathematics to graduate and advanced undergraduate students in the environmental sciences. Its basic purpose is to teach various types of mathematical structures and how they can be applied in a broad range of environmental science subfields. Derivatives and integrals, ordinary and partial differential equations, and linear and non-linear algebraic equations are the basic kinds of structures (types of mathematical models) discussed.

For each mathematical topic, the book emphasizes derivation of mathematical models from "story problems" first, and solution of equations second. It suggests finding analytic solutions when possible, but discusses methods for finding numerical solutions to problems that can’t be solved analytically. For most topics, examples of using Matlab software to solve and explore the structures are also included.

This text assumes that its readers will already have been introduced to the basic ideas of differential and integral calculus, so it is not an introduction to calculus. It does, however, include three early chapters to review basic algebra, derivatives, and integrals.

Professor Parkhurst earned his B.S. degree in applied mathematics from the College of Engineering, University of Colorado, Boulder, in 1965, and his Ph.D. in Botany (Plant Ecology) from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, in 1970. He then worked three years at the CSIRO Division of Atmospheric Science in Aspendale, Victoria, Australia, before joining the Environmental Science faculty of the School of Public and Environmental Affairs, Indiana University, Bloomington, in 1973. He held a joint appointment in the Biology Department there as well. He retired from that position in December, 2005, after 32 years. His research areas include mathematical modelling of adaptations of plant leaves to environment, environmental risk analysis, and applications of statistics in environmental and public health areas.

Review:

From the reviews:

"It ... explains how basic tools of mathematical analysis can be efficiently used to study problems arising in environmental sciences. ... The text shall attract non-mathematical audience by clarity of exposition which concentrates mostly on ideas and techniques ... . Specifically tailored to the needs of undergraduate and graduate students in environmental sciences, this unique and skillfully written book shall help them to understand and master fundamental mathematical concepts and techniques used in the analysis of applied problems." (Yuri V. Rogovchenko, Zentralblatt MATH, Vol. 1145, 2008)

About this edition

• Publisher: Springer
• Publication date: 2010
• ISBN 10: 144194169X
• ISBN 13: 9781441941695
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 326