12 Best MATLAB Books for Scientists and Engineers [Learn MATLAB ASAP]

Today we’re looking at some of the best MATLAB books for this year.

🧠 Did you know? According to Northwestern University, MATLAB was originally written to provide access to matrix software developed by the LINPACK and EISPACK projects.

What is MATLAB?

MATLAB (matrix laboratory) is a multi-paradigm programming language and numeric computing platform.

It allows for:

✅ matrix manipulations

✅ functions and data plotting

✅ algorithm implementation

✅ user interface creation

And interfacing with programs that were written in other languages.

MATLAB contains sophisticated data structures and debugging tools.

It also supports object-oriented programming.

Who uses MATLAB?

MATLAB was specifically designed for scientists and engineers to analyze and design systems.

They use MATLAB for a range of applications including:

📌 deep learning

📌 machine learning

📌 computational biology

📌 image and video processing

📌 signal processing and communications

And more.

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TLDR: Best MATLAB Books

🔥 Best Overall 🔥
MATLAB: A Practical Introduction to Programming and Problem Solving

💥 Best for Newbies 💥
MATLAB for Beginners: A Gentle Approach

💸 Best Value 💸
MATLAB For Dummies

Best MATLAB Books

Now let’s dive into some of the best MATLAB books for this year.

📚 Books 1-5 are general MATLAB books for beginner engineers and scientists.

📚 Books 6-12 are specifically geared towards experienced engineers and scientists.

You’ll discover their:

➡️ features

➡️ core concepts

➡️ layout

➡️ comparisons

And more.

General MATLAB Books for Beginners

📚 Now let’s take a look at some of the best MATLAB books for beginners.

1. MATLAB: A Practical Introduction to Programming and Problem Solving

↘️ Ideal for: MATLAB newbies
↘️ Topics covered: programming concepts, functionality

MATLAB: A Practical Introduction to Programming and Problem Solving is written by Stormy Attaway, a professor at the College of Engineering at Boston University.

➡️ In our opinion, MATLAB: A Practical Introduction to Programming and Problem Solving is one of the best MATLAB books overall.

The book assumes no prior programming knowledge.

Separated into two parts, you’ll start by learning programming concepts such as:

✅ loops

✅ variables

✅ assignments

✅ selection statements

And more.

In the second part of the book, you’ll learn advanced concepts for solving problems with MATLAB such as:

📌 data transfer

📌 advanced functions

📌 object-oriented programming

📌 advanced plotting techniques

And beyond.

What MATLAB developers are saying about MATLAB: A Practical Introduction:

… Takes the reader through MATLAB concepts in a clear and accessible way…

– Emad Khader

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2. MATLAB for Beginners: A Gentle Approach

↘️ Ideal for: MATLAB newbies, engineers, scientists, biologists, environmental scientists
↘️ Topics covered: mathematical functions, programming

MATLAB for Beginners is a bit different MATLAB: A Practical Introduction to Programming and Problem Solving.

Rather than explore advanced concepts, you’ll stick with just the beginner stuff.

➡️ We believe MATLAB for Beginners: A Gentle Approach is one of the best MATLAB books for beginners.

With over 280 exercises, you’ll learn about MATLAB and related concepts in an easy-to-follow manner.

In this gentle introduction to MATLAB, you’ll discover:

✅ graphs

✅ programming

✅ solving equations

✅ mathematical functions

And beyond.

You’ll also find an introduction to calculus alongside statistics and regression analysis.

What MATLAB developers are saying about MATLAB for Beginners:

… written at an excellent pace for newbies to MatLab…

– Aleksis

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3. MATLAB For Dummies

↘️ Ideal for: MATLAB newbies, STEM students
↘️ Topics covered: plotting graphs, solving equations

Like MATLAB for Beginners: A Gentle Approach, MATLAB for Dummies is for beginners.

But this book is a little easier on the wallet.

➡️ MATLAB For Dummies is possibly one of the best MATLAB books for developers on a budget.

In this step-by-step guide, you’ll learn the ins and outs of the MATLAB language and environment.

You’ll start by installing MATLAB and creating your first file.

Then you’ll learn about enhanced debugging procedures.

In addition, you’ll explore:

✅ building projects

✅ designing classes

✅ creating applications

Finally, you’ll touch on a few advanced concepts such as importing and exporting data and publishing your work.

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4. MATLAB: An Introduction with Applications

↘️ Ideal for: MATLAB newbies, engineers, scientists
↘️ Topics covered: mathematical operations, programming MATLAB

MATLAB: An Introduction with Applications published by Wiley is similar to MATLAB for Beginners: A Gentle Approach.

But it can be used for both first-year engineers as well as students taking advanced science and engineering courses.

➡️ MATLAB: An Introduction with Applications is arguably one of the best MATLAB books for students with little to no programming experience.

Packed with examples in math, science and engineering, you’ll learn about MATLAB functionality.

Using a just-in-time learning approach, you’ll uncover:

✅ mathematical operations with arrays

✅ using script files and managing data

✅ applications in numerical analysis

✅ programming in MATLAB

✅ two-dimensional plots

And more.

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5. Getting Started with MATLAB

↘️ Ideal for: MATLAB newbies, scientists, engineers
↘️ Topics covered: 3D visualization, handle graphics, mathematical modeling

Getting Started with MATLAB is similar to MATLAB: An Introduction with Applications.

But this is an accelerated introduction to MATLAB.

➡️ Getting Started with MATLAB is perhaps one of the best MATLAB books for accelerated beginners.

You’ll find simple, no-nonsense instructions alongside tutorial-style lessons.

It’s jam-packed with tons of tools you’ll use in a classroom setting such as:

✅ report writing

✅ 3D visualization

✅ handle graphics

✅ mathematical modeling

And much more.

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MATLAB Books for Engineers and Scientists

📚 The following MATLAB books are geared towards experienced engineers and scientists.

6. Beginning MATLAB and Simulink: From Novice to Professional

↘️ Ideal for: newer and experienced MATLAB users, engineers, data scientists, programmers
↘️ Topics covered: MATLAB, Simulink

Beginning MATLAB and Simulink is one of the only book on our list that covers Simulink.

➡️ Beginning MATLAB and Simulink may be one of the best MATLAB books for Simulink concepts.

In addition, you’ll learn how to execute data visualization using MATLAB.

You’ll also:

✅ build a GUI with MATLAB

✅ learn modeling essentials of MATLAB

✅ use MATLAB for data science projects

✅ work with integration and numerical root finding

And more.

By the end of this book, you should be proficient using MATLAB with your own data science or engineering projects.

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7. MATLAB for Engineers

↘️ Ideal for: Engineers new to MATLAB
↘️ Topics covered: algebra, statistics, differential equations

MATLAB for Engineers is for readers proficient in college-level algebra and basic trigonometry.

➡️ We believe MATLAB for Engineers is one of the best MATLAB books for experienced engineering students.

In addition to algebra and trigonometry, you’ll work with:

✅ statistics

✅ calculus

✅ matrix algebra

✅ differential equations

You’ll find plenty of code examples and real-world scenarios to illustrate concepts.

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8. Applied Numerical Methods with MATLAB for Engineers and Scientists

↘️ Ideal for: experienced engineers, engineering students
↘️ Topics covered: fundamentals, programming with MATLAB

Like MATLAB for Engineers, this book is for experienced engineers.

But with Applied Numerical Methods with MATLAB, you’ll focus less on the mathematics and more on methods.

➡️ Applied Numerical Methods with MATLAB for Engineers and Scientists is possibly one of the best MATLAB books for applying numerical methods.

After learning the fundamentals, you’ll dive right into programming concepts such as:

✅ curve fitting

✅ truncation errors

✅ roots of equations

✅ numerical integration

✅ linear algebraic equations

And beyond.

By the end of this book, you should be able to apply numerical methods to science and engineering problems.

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9. Essential MATLAB for Engineers and Scientists

↘️ Ideal for: engineers and scientists new to MATLAB
↘️ Topics covered: fundamentals, applications

Similar to Applied Numerical Methods with MATLAB, you’ll learn the fundamentals of MATLAB.

But you’ll focus on MATLAB concepts a bit more in depth.

➡️ Essential MATLAB for Engineers and Scientists is arguably one of the best MATLAB books for learning MATLAB fundamentals and its applications.

You’ll start with the essentials like program design and algorithm development.

Packed with examples, you’ll explore:

✅ arrays

✅ output

✅ operators

✅ decisions

✅ complex numbers

And more.

Then you’ll look at:

📌 logical vectors

📌 matrices

📌 loops

📌 MATLAB graphics

And beyond.

Finally, you’ll finish with lessons on Simulink and Symbolics toolboxes.

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10. MATLAB for Brain and Cognitive Scientists

↘️ Ideal for: brain and cognitive scientists
↘️ Topics covered: MATLAB code, tips, tricks

Because it’s geared towards brain and cognitive scientists, this book is unlike any other book on our list.

➡️ MATLAB for Brain and Cognitive Scientists is perhaps one of the best MATLAB books for scientists.

Using a mix of instructive text, extensive explanations and exercises, you’ll find MATLAB programming tips and tricks.

You’ll also find examples of bad code so you’re not doomed to repeat the same mistakes.

Finally, you’ll find interviews with neuroscientists and cognitive scientists sprinkled throughout.

By the end of this book, you should be an intermediate to advanced MATLAB programmer.

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11. MATLAB for Engineering Applications

↘️ Ideal for: engineers new to MATLAB
↘️ Topics covered: terminology, syntax, use of MATLAB

Because it’s more of a reference guide, this book is kind of a standalone in our list of MATLAB books.

➡️ MATLAB for Engineering Applications may be one of the best MATLAB books that is traditionally used as a reference manual.

The first five chapters focus on MATLAB fundamentals.

In the second half of the book, you’ll find advanced MATLAB applications.

You’ll also discover toolboxes like:

✅ Control Systems

✅ Symbolic Math

✅ Simulink

By the end of the book, you’ll have covered most capabilities of MATLAB for beginners and beyond.

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12. MATLAB for Control Engineers

↘️ Ideal for: control engineers new to MATLAB
↘️ Topics covered: analysis and design problems

Taking a course in Electrical and Computer Engineering?

What about Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering?

Then this book is for you.

➡️ We think MATLAB for Control Engineers is one of the best MATLAB books for control engineers.

You’ll learn how to use MATLAB to solve analysis and design problems found with control systems.

Packed with examples and in-depth explanations, you’ll learn the MATLAB approach to problem-solving.

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Best MATLAB Books: Conclusion

Today we looked at the best MATLAB books including:

🔥 Best Overall 🔥
MATLAB: A Practical Introduction to Programming and Problem Solving

💥 Best for Newbies 💥
MATLAB for Beginners: A Gentle Approach

💸 Best Value 💸
MATLAB For Dummies

So whether you’re just getting started or are an experienced engineer, we think these are the best MATLAB books for this year.

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