For the e-book version, contact Ridgway Scott at ridg@uchicago.edu
It introduces the variational formulation of PDEs as a language to define models.
It explains the variational formulations for the most commonly used models in science and technology.
The variational formulation also provides a firm theoretical foundation for understanding PDEs.
Combining the theory with practical computer programs that implement simulations of the models provides a way to teach and learn PDEs, their numerical solution, and associated modeling without requiring extensive mathematical prerequisites.
The book is accessible to students whose only prerequite is multivariate calculus.