Numerical Methods for Engineers

The seventh edition of Chapra and Canale's Numerical Methods for Engineers retains the instructional techniques that have made the text so successful. Chapra and Canale's unique approach opens each part of the text with sections called “Motivation,“ “Mathematical Background,” and “Orientation” Each part closes with an “Epilogue” containing “Trade-Offs,” “Important Relationships and Formulas,” and “Advanced Methods and Additional References.” Much more than a summary, the Epilogue deepens understanding of what has been learned and provides a peek into more advanced methods.

Numerous new or revised problems are drawn from actual engineering practice. The expanded breadth of engineering disciplines covered is especially evident in these exercises, which now cover such areas as biotechnology and biomedical engineering. Excellent new examples and case studies span all areas of engineering giving students a broad exposure to various fields in engineering.

Steve Chapra is the Emeritus Professor and Emeritus Berger Chair in the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department at Tufts University. His other books include Surface Water-Quality Modeling, Numerical Methods for Engineers, and Applied Numerical Methods with Python. 

Dr. Chapra received engineering degrees from Manhattan College and the University of Michigan. Before joining Tufts, he worked for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and taught at Texas A&M University, the University of Colorado, and Imperial College London. His general research interests focus on surface water-quality modeling and advanced computer applications in environmental engineering. 

He is a Fellow and Life Member of the American Society of Civil Engineering (ASCE) and has received many awards for his scholarly and academic contributions, including the Rudolph Hering Medal (ASCE) for his research, and the Meriam-Wiley Distinguished Author Award (American Society for Engineering Education). He has also been recognized as an outstanding teacher and advisor among the engineering faculties at Texas A&M University, the University of Colorado, and Tufts University. As a strong proponent of continuing education, he has also taught over 90 workshops for professionals on numerical methods, computer programming, and environmental modeling.


Beyond his professional interests, he enjoys art, music (especially classical music, jazz, and bluegrass), and reading history. Despite unfounded rumors to the contrary, he never has, and never will, voluntarily bungee jump or sky dive.