Packed with examples, this text provides a smooth transition from a course in elementary ordinary differential equations to more advanced concepts in a first course in partial differential equations. Asmar's relaxed style and emphasis on applications make the material understandable even for students with limited exposure to topics beyond calculus. This computer-friendly text encourages the use of computer resources for illustrating results and applications, but it is also suitable for use without computer access. Additional specialized topics are included that are covered independently of each other and can be covered by instructors as desired.