Mathematics is playing an ever more important role in the physical and
biological sciences, provoking a blurring of boundaries between
scientific disciplines and a resurgence of interest in the modern as
well as the classical techniques of applied mathematics. This renewal of
interest, both in research and teaching, has led to the establishment of
the series: Texts in Applied Mathematics ( TAM). The development of new
courses is a natural consequence of a high level of excitement on the
research frontier as newer techniques, such as numerical and symbolic
computer systems, dynamical systems, and chaos, mix with and reinforce
the traditional methods of applied mathematics. Thus, the purpose of
this textbook series is to meet the current and future needs of these
advances and encourage the teaching of new courses. TAM will publish
textbooks suitable for use in advanced undergraduate and beginning
graduate courses, and will complement the Applied Mathematical Sciences
(AMS) series, which will focus on advanced textbooks and research level
monographs. About the Authors Daniel Kaplan specializes in the analysis
of data using techniques motivated by nonlinear dynamics. His primary
interest is in the interpretation of irregular physiological rhythms,
but the methods he has developed have been used in geo- physics,
economics, marine ecology, and other fields. He joined McGill in 1991,
after receiving his Ph.D from Harvard University and working at MIT. His
un- dergraduate studies were completed at Swarthmore College. He has
worked with several instrumentation companies to develop novel types of
medical monitors.