Governing equations and their approximate solution; computer storage and manipulation of numbers; the finite difference method; the method of weighted residuals; variational methods; introduction to the finite element method; development of finite element equations; steps in performing finite element analysis; element interpolation functions; element mapping; finite element analysis of scalar field problems; finite element analysis in linear elastostatics; implementation, modelling, and related issues. Appendices: mathematical potpourri; matrices and linear algebra; some notes on heat flow; local and natural coordinate systems; the patch test; solution of linear systems of equations; notes on integration of finite elements.