Essential 26¶

One primary spine per learning target. Use the five-book page when you need a different explanation, greater rigor, or a specialist reference.

1 | Mathematical reasoning¶

How to Prove It: A Structured Approach: Daniel J. Velleman
Primary spine | Undergraduate

2 | Linear algebra¶

Introduction to Linear Algebra: Gilbert Strang
Primary spine | Undergraduate

3 | Calculus + vector calculus¶

Calculus, Volumes I-II: Tom M. Apostol
Primary rigorous spine | Undergraduate

4 | ODEs + dynamical systems¶

Nonlinear Dynamics and Chaos: Steven H. Strogatz
Primary spine | Undergraduate / graduate

5 | PDEs + transport¶

Partial Differential Equations: An Introduction: Walter A. Strauss
Primary spine | Upper undergraduate

6 | Probability¶

Introduction to Probability: Joseph K. Blitzstein, Jessica Hwang
Primary spine | Undergraduate | open

7 | Statistics + causal inference¶

Causal Inference: What If: Miguel A. Hernán, James M. Robins
Causal primary spine | Graduate / advanced undergraduate | open

8 | Optimization¶

Convex Optimization: Stephen Boyd, Lieven Vandenberghe
Primary spine | Upper undergraduate / graduate | open

9 | Control + estimation¶

Feedback Systems: An Introduction for Scientists and Engineers: Karl J. Åström, Richard M. Murray
Primary spine | Upper undergraduate | open

10 | Information + signals¶

Elements of Information Theory: Thomas M. Cover, Joy A. Thomas
Information theory spine | Graduate / advanced undergraduate

11 | Algorithms + software systems¶

Introduction to Algorithms: Thomas H. Cormen, Charles E. Leiserson, Ronald L. Rivest, Clifford Stein
Algorithms reference | Undergraduate / graduate

12 | Scientific computing¶

Numerical Linear Algebra: Lloyd N. Trefethen, David Bau III
Primary spine | Upper undergraduate / graduate

13 | Mechanics + electromagnetism¶

Classical Mechanics: John R. Taylor
Mechanics spine | Undergraduate

14 | Thermodynamics + statistical mechanics¶

An Introduction to Thermal Physics: Daniel V. Schroeder
Primary spine | Undergraduate

15 | Quantum + condensed matter¶

Introduction to Quantum Mechanics: David J. Griffiths, Darrell F. Schroeter
Quantum primary spine | Undergraduate

16 | Chemistry + materials¶

Materials Science and Engineering: An Introduction: William D. Callister Jr., David G. Rethwisch
Materials primary spine | Undergraduate

17 | Molecular + cell biology¶

Molecular Biology of the Cell: Bruce Alberts et al.
Primary reference | Undergraduate / graduate

18 | Genetics + evolution + systems biology¶

Genetics: A Conceptual Approach: Benjamin A. Pierce
Genetics primary spine | Undergraduate

19 | Neuroscience + physiology¶

Neuroscience: Dale Purves et al.
Neuroscience primary spine | Undergraduate

20 | Electronics + embedded systems¶

The Art of Electronics: Paul Horowitz, Winfield Hill
Electronics primary reference | Undergraduate / professional

21 | Mechanical design + fluids + structures¶

Shigley's Mechanical Engineering Design: Richard G. Budynas, J. Keith Nisbett
Mechanical design spine | Undergraduate

22 | Metrology + experiments¶

NIST/SEMATECH e-Handbook of Statistical Methods: NIST, SEMATECH
Primary reference | Undergraduate / professional | open

23 | Manufacturing + operations¶

Factory Physics: Wallace J. Hopp, Mark L. Spearman
Operations / flow spine | Upper undergraduate / graduate

24 | Safety + reliability + security¶

An Introduction to System Safety Engineering: Nancy G. Leveson
Safety primary spine | Upper undergraduate / graduate

25 | Economics + institutions¶

Intermediate Microeconomics: A Modern Approach: Hal R. Varian
Microeconomics spine | Undergraduate

26 | History, power + human judgment¶

The Blackwell Encyclopaedia of Political Thought: David Miller, Janet Coleman, William Connolly, Alan Ryan (eds.)
Political-thought reference | Undergraduate / graduate