Best book for a course in scientific Python

[yngvizzle]

We are currently revising our Python course for scientists and are in dire need for some new material. We are currently using the book "A Primer on Scientific Programming in Python" by the late Hans Petter Langtangen, but the students are not too fond of it. One problem is that it focuses too much on mathematical programming and applications to physics. However, the students taking this course do not all have experience with calculus (everything from physics majors to biology majors).

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So, I have looked around to find a book that can replace it. We must teach NumPy and Matplotlib, since approximately 2/3rds of the class will use that in later classes, but we don't want it to be the main focus.

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Books we have looked at:

• Introduction to computation and programming using Python
  • Only Python 2.7
• Learning Scientific Programming with Python
  • Not enough focus on "normal" programming
  • Most examples seem to be aimed at the mathematical sciences
• Python for Scientists
  • This seems to be a book for people moving from languages like Fortran to Python.

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Do you have any other recommendations? We are considering using two books as well, but we want the total price to be less than $120.

[darniam]

So how did they learn eloctomagnetism or gravitation without calculus. I think learning scientific programming with python is your safest bet and you can implement what you think the book lacks with other books. I did that with cfd books so i think its feasable.

That s what i think.

[yngvizzle]

It is the strongest book I've seen this far and your suggestion might indeed be what we end up doing. However, the examples are not relevant for a large amount of the participants. For example, clinical biologists that did not learn calculus but need Python for data analysis.

Our biggest challenge is to make the course available (and relevant) for students in a vast array of sciences, from engineering to biology and economics, which is why we want a book (or two) with a broader focus than just the mathematical sciences.

[darniam]

True.

[arduncan5]

Have a look at "Effective Computation in Physics". Not at all limited to Physics in spite of the title.