May I recommend my new book on mathematical modeling to you, which is based on R as a main software tool: Kai Velten: Mathematical Modeling and Simulation, Wiley-VCH, 2009, ISBN 978-3527407583. See also: http://www.wiley.com/WileyCDA/WileyTitle/productCd-3527407588.html http://books.google.com/books?id=Czp1N5UWpyEC List of reviews below. The book covers a broad range of mathematical models including statistics, ordinary and partial differential equations, 3D FD- and FE-models in CFD and structural mechanics etc. It includes an introduction into R and 31 R programs that can be downloaded in the Internet. It is shown how R can be embedded into an integrated open-source software concept which covers the entire range of models mentioned above, and which includes other outstanding open-source software packages such as Maxima, Salome-Meca, CAELinux etc. Please send any comments on this book directly to me under kai.velten at gmail.com ? thank you. List of reviews (2009-06-17): ?...Very solid introductory text at the undergraduate level aimed at wide audience. Perfectly fits introductory modeling courses at colleges and universities that prefer to use open-source software rather than commercial one, and is an enjoyable reading in the first place. Highly recommended both as a main text and a supplementary one... This delightful book has two unbeatable features that should absolutely win the audience ... First of all, it illuminates many important conceptual ideas of mathematical modelling... Second, ... this book enthusiastically promotes open-source software that works on most computers and operating systems and is freely available on the web... Professor Velten suggests an elegant approach to mathematical modeling, carefully going through all important steps from identification of a problem, definition of the associated system under study and analysis of the system's properties to design of a mathematical model for the system, its numerical simulation and validation...? Yuri V. Rogovchenko, Zentralblatt MATH (European Mathematical Society) ?? The book is certainly a reference for those, beginners or professional, who search for a complete and easy to follow step-by-step guide in the amazing world of modelling and simulation ... A number of examples, exercises and software commands (along the text and in the Appendix) enrich the text, helping the reader to approach the world of modelling and simulation ? The reader is introduced into the programming but most important in the problems that may arise in the modelling process, in the numerical treatment of the models and in their interpretation ... It is shown that mathematical models and simulation, if adequately used, help to reduce experimental costs by a better exploration of the information content of experimental data... Marcello Vasta, Meccanica, International Journal of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics ?? With its focus on applications, this book is for readers with just a basic knowledge of mathematics. The chapters develop any advanced theory that is required...? Idalia Flores, Computing Reviews, Association for Computing Machinery, New York ?... The author takes up quite a large number of topics ? he is clearly an enthusiastic teacher ? (he) has broad experience and expertise to share with students ? there are a number of good examples ...? Bill Satzer (3M Company), Reviews of the Mathematical Association of America Publisher's product description: The only book on modeling and simulation that is exclusively based on open source software. It includes many examples from such diverse fields as biology, ecology, economics, medicine, agricultural, chemical, electrical, mechanical, and process engineering. Requiring only little mathematical prerequisite in calculus and linear algebra, this lucidly written text is accessible to scientists, engineers, and students at the undergraduate level. The book addresses a broad range of models from elementary statistical models to ODE and PDE models. The reader is introduced into CAELinux, Calc, Code-Saturne, Maxima, R, and Salome-Meca, and the entire book software - including 3D CFD and structural mechanics simulation software - can be used based on a free CAELinux-Live-DVD that is available in the Internet (works on most machines and operating systems) -- Kai Velten FH Wiesbaden, Fb. Gshm, von-Lade-Stra?e 1, D-65366 Geisenheim, Germany Tel: +49 6722 502-734, 0176/43034606 Fax: 01212/505152745 Email: kai.velten at gmail.com