This completely revised and substantially extended second edition answers the most important questions in the field of modeling: What is a mathematical model? What types of models do exist? Which model is appropriate for a particular problem? What are simulation, parameter estimation, and validation? What kind of mathematical problems appear and how can these be efficiently solved using professional free of charge open source software?
The book addresses undergraduates and practitioners alike. Although only basic knowledge of calculus and linear algebra is required, the most important mathematical structures are discussed in sufficient detail, ranging from statistical models to partial differential equations and accompanied by examples from biology, ecology, economics, medicine, agricultural, chemical, electrical, mechanical, and process engineering.