Stochastic programming - the science that provides us with tools to design and control stochastic systems with the aid of mathematical programming techniques - lies at the intersection of statistics and mathematical programming. This study is an introduction to the field and its basic mathematical tools. While the mathematics is of a high level, the developed models offer powerful applications, as revealed by the large number of examples presented. The material ranges form basic linear programming to algorithmic solutions of sophisticated systems problems and applications in water resources and power systems, shipbuilding, inventory control, and so forth. Students and researchers who need to solve practical and theoretical problems in operations research, mathematics, statistics, engineering, economics, insurance, finance, biology and environmental protection should find this work useful.