8 MATLAB Books That Shape Programming Mastery

Discover MATLAB books authored by renowned experts like Dorothy C. Attaway Ph.D. and Daniel T. Valentine, offering practical guides and specialized knowledge.

Updated on June 26, 2025
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What if mastering MATLAB could be as straightforward as following a clear, structured path laid out by seasoned professionals? MATLAB remains a cornerstone tool for engineers, scientists, and researchers tackling complex computational problems. Whether you're writing your first script or optimizing algorithms for neural data, the right resources can accelerate your learning curve dramatically.

These eight books have been crafted by experienced educators and practitioners such as Dorothy C. Attaway Ph.D. of Boston University and Daniel T. Valentine, former Chair of Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering at Clarkson University. Their works combine decades of teaching and real-world applications, making them trusted guides through MATLAB’s versatile landscape.

While these expert-curated books provide proven frameworks and deep insights, readers seeking content tailored to their specific experience level, industry focus, or learning goals might consider creating a personalized MATLAB book that builds on these foundations and adapts to your unique needs.

Best for engineering programming beginners
Dorothy C. Attaway Ph.D., a long-time faculty member in Mechanical Engineering at Boston University and recipient of its highest teaching award, brings deep expertise to this book. Her extensive experience coordinating engineering computation courses shaped a text designed to guide newcomers through MATLAB programming with clarity and practical examples. This background makes the book especially relevant for students and professionals eager to grasp programming fundamentals within an engineering framework.
2016·600 pages·Matlab, Programming, Engineering, Problem Solving, Object Oriented

Drawing from over thirty years teaching engineering computation at Boston University, Dorothy C. Attaway Ph.D. authored this book to demystify programming for engineers new to MATLAB. You’ll find a clear progression from basic programming concepts like variables and loops to more advanced topics such as object-oriented programming, all integrated with MATLAB’s built-in functions. The book’s practical approach includes engineering applications and exercises that help you apply concepts directly to problem solving, especially focusing on input/output operations critical to engineering tasks. This book suits anyone starting programming in MATLAB or seeking to strengthen their applied problem-solving skills within an engineering context.

Winner of 2017 Textbook Excellence Award
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Best for practical engineering applications
Daniel T. Valentine Ph.D. brings authoritative expertise as Professor Emeritus and former Chair of Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering at Clarkson University. His advanced background in fluid mechanics, combined with leadership in the NASA Space Grant Consortium, grounds this book in solid engineering and scientific research. Valentine’s deep academic and practical experience shapes this resource, making it a reliable guide for engineers and scientists seeking to master MATLAB’s versatile environment.
Essential MATLAB for Engineers and Scientists book cover

by Daniel T. Valentine, Brian H. Hahn··You?

2019·428 pages·Matlab, Engineering, Algorithm Development, Toolboxes, Program Design

Drawing from decades of engineering education, Daniel T. Valentine and Brian H. Hahn crafted this book to bridge the gap between MATLAB basics and practical engineering applications. You’ll learn not just how to navigate MATLAB’s interface but also how to develop algorithms and solve real engineering problems using updated features through version 2018b. The inclusion of a dedicated chapter on toolboxes and diverse examples from familiar scientific fields makes it especially useful for anyone taking their first MATLAB course or tackling engineering problem-solving. This book suits you if you want a clear, example-driven introduction that balances theory with hands-on practice without overwhelming details.

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Best for personal learning paths
This AI-created book on MATLAB programming is tailored to your specific skill level and goals. By sharing your background and the programming challenges you're interested in, you receive a custom guide that focuses on exactly what you need. This personalized approach helps you navigate MATLAB's complexity efficiently, making your learning experience focused and relevant without wading through unnecessary material.
2025·50-300 pages·Matlab, Programming Basics, Problem Solving, Algorithm Design, Data Visualization

This tailored book explores MATLAB programming with a focus on your unique background and learning objectives, offering a personalized pathway through its powerful features. It covers fundamental concepts like syntax and functions, advances through problem-solving techniques, and delves into specialized areas such as data visualization, algorithm design, and code optimization. By synthesizing extensive MATLAB knowledge into a format that matches your experience and interests, this book facilitates deeper understanding and skill development. It embraces your specific goals to guide you effectively from foundational programming to mastering complex MATLAB applications, making the learning process both efficient and engaging.

Tailored Content
Problem Solving Focus
1,000+ Happy Readers
Best for foundational engineering students
Holly Moore is a seasoned educator with extensive experience in teaching MATLAB and engineering concepts. Her expertise has shaped this book to be accessible and effective for students at various levels, ensuring a clear introduction to MATLAB tailored for engineering applications.
MATLAB for Engineers book cover

by Holly Moore··You?

2017·688 pages·Matlab, Engineering, Programming, Problem Solving, Mathematics

When Holly Moore first realized how intimidating MATLAB could be for engineering students, she crafted this book to meet learners right at their level of math and programming skills. You’ll start with basic algebra and gradually tackle examples drawn from chemistry, physics, and early engineering courses, which makes abstract concepts tangible. The text’s consistent problem-solving approach helps you apply MATLAB to a wide range of engineering challenges, with later chapters introducing calculus and differential equations for advanced learners. If you’re an engineering student or instructor seeking a clear, structured introduction to MATLAB’s practical use, this book offers a straightforward path without overwhelming jargon.

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Stormy Attaway is an accomplished author and educator specializing in engineering and programming. With extensive experience in teaching and curriculum development, she has authored several influential texts that bridge the gap between theoretical concepts and practical applications in programming. Her work is widely recognized for its clarity and effectiveness in helping students grasp complex topics.
Matlab, Programming, Problem Solving, Data Visualization, Functions

Stormy Attaway is an educator who leverages her extensive background in engineering and programming education to make MATLAB approachable for learners. In this book, you gain a hands-on understanding of programming fundamentals and problem-solving techniques using MATLAB, with clear explanations that connect theory to practice. Attaway's methodical teaching style guides you through key concepts such as scripts, functions, and data visualization, making it easier to build practical skills. This book suits students, engineers, and anyone looking to strengthen their programming foundation with MATLAB’s versatile environment.

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Rafael C. Gonzalez is a distinguished author and educator in image processing, known for making complex concepts accessible. His extensive work, including this book, reflects his deep expertise and practical approach, designed to help you master digital image processing using MATLAB. This text grew out of his commitment to equip professionals and students with both theoretical understanding and hands-on coding experience in a rapidly evolving field.
Digital Image Processing Using MATLAB, 2nd ed. by Rafael C. Gonzalez (2009-05-03) book cover

by Rafael C. Gonzalez, Richard E. Woods, Steven L. Eddins··You?

827 pages·Image Processing, Imaging Algorithms, Image Recognition, Matlab, Software Development

What started as an effort to bridge theory and practice in image processing became a foundational text under Rafael C. Gonzalez and his co-authors. This book walks you through the essentials of digital image processing, particularly emphasizing how to implement and extend MATLAB’s Image Processing Toolbox. You’ll gain hands-on insights into over 120 MATLAB functions, learning not just how to apply them, but how to create your own code solutions for complex imaging challenges. If you’re working in scientific computing or academia, this book offers you a solid mix of conceptual frameworks and practical coding that can sharpen your technical skills and deepen your understanding of image algorithms.

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Best for rapid skill mastery
This AI-created book on MATLAB programming is tailored to your current skills and learning objectives. You share your experience level, areas of interest, and desired goals, and the book is created to focus on exactly what you need to develop practical MATLAB expertise. It’s designed to help you fast-track your learning by providing a clear, personalized path through complex concepts and applications, making your progression efficient and aligned with your unique background and ambitions.
2025·50-300 pages·Matlab, MATLAB Basics, Programming Concepts, Algorithm Development, Data Visualization

This tailored MATLAB book offers a focused journey to fast-track your skills through step-by-step, actionable learning tailored to your background and goals. It explores core MATLAB programming concepts, practical coding techniques, and application-driven examples that resonate with your specific interests. By matching content to your experience level, it reveals how to navigate MATLAB’s environment effectively and build confidence in solving real-world problems. This personalized guide covers essential functions, algorithm development, and visualization methods, providing a clear path to mastering MATLAB tools and enhancing computational problem-solving. The learning experience is designed to keep you engaged and progressing toward practical proficiency in just 30 days.

Tailored Guide
Stepwise Skill Building
1,000+ Happy Readers
Best for applied biomedical imaging
Arsath Natheem, an accomplished biomedical engineer and technical writer from India, brings his expertise in artificial intelligence and data science to this detailed guide on digital image processing with MATLAB. His award-winning background in robotics and multimedia presentations underscores the practical, applied nature of this book, making it a solid resource for learners seeking to master image processing techniques through hands-on MATLAB coding.
2017·230 pages·Image Processing, Computer Vision, Matlab, Computer Graphics, Image Segmentation

While working as a biomedical engineer, Arsath Natheem noticed the growing need for clear, practical guidance in digital image processing using MATLAB. This book walks you through essential techniques such as image segmentation, histogram equalization, and spatial filtering, each paired with source code that makes complex concepts accessible. You’ll learn how these methods apply across fields like medical imaging and remote sensing, with chapters dedicated to both foundational operations and advanced frequency analysis. If you're looking to develop hands-on skills in digital image processing grounded in real MATLAB applications, this book offers targeted instruction without unnecessary jargon.

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Steve Chapra is the Emeritus Professor and Emeritus Berger Chair in Civil and Environmental Engineering at Tufts University, bringing extensive expertise in environmental engineering and numerical modeling. His academic and professional journey, including roles at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and NOAA, informs this book's practical approach to numerical methods with MATLAB. Chapra's experience teaching workshops and authoring multiple technical books underscores the depth of knowledge you gain here, making it a solid resource for engineers and scientists looking to strengthen their computational skills.
2017·720 pages·Numerical Analysis, Numerical Algorithms, Matlab, Matlab Programming, Engineering Applications

Steve Chapra's decades of engineering and academic experience led to this focused guide on applying numerical methods using MATLAB for practical problem-solving. You learn to tackle engineering and science challenges by understanding both the capabilities and limitations of various numerical techniques, with motivation rooted in real-world problems rather than pure theory. The book offers detailed examples and chapters covering algorithms like root-finding, integration, and differential equations, empowering you to implement solutions effectively. If you're an engineering or science student or professional seeking hands-on numerical skills combined with MATLAB programming, this book will serve you well, though it assumes some prior coding familiarity.

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Best for neuroscience programming
Mike X Cohen is assistant professor at the Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behavior and brings his expertise in neural data analysis to this book. His role at a leading research center grounds the text in real scientific challenges, making it especially useful for brain and cognitive scientists learning MATLAB. Cohen's focus on bridging the gap from beginner to advanced programming, tailored to neuroscience applications, provides readers with tools they can immediately apply in their research.
2017·576 pages·Matlab, Neuroscience, Cognitive Science, Data Analysis, Programming

Mike X Cohen's background as an assistant professor at the Donders Institute shapes this book into a focused guide for neuroscience and psychology researchers aiming to master MATLAB. You get a progression from beginner to advanced programming, emphasizing practical applications relevant to brain science. The book doesn't shy away from showing you common coding mistakes alongside better solutions, helping you develop critical programming judgment. Exercises at the end of chapters reinforce your skills while interviews with active neuroscientists provide real-world context. If your work involves neural data or cognitive experiments, this book equips you with the programming know-how to analyze your data effectively.

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Conclusion

This collection highlights three main themes: foundational programming skills, application-specific expertise, and numerical methods mastery. If you're just starting, books like Dorothy C. Attaway's "Matlab" offer a step-by-step introduction tailored to engineering problem solving. For applied fields, Rafael C. Gonzalez's work on image processing or Mike X Cohen's guide for neuroscience provide targeted techniques.

Facing practical numerical challenges? Steve Chapra's "Applied Numerical Methods with MATLAB" bridges theory and application effectively. For a balanced learning path, combining foundational and specialized texts will help you gain both breadth and depth.

Alternatively, you can create a personalized MATLAB book to bridge the gap between general principles and your specific situation. These books can help you accelerate your learning journey and deepen your command of MATLAB’s powerful capabilities.

Frequently Asked Questions

I'm overwhelmed by choice – which book should I start with?

Start with Dorothy C. Attaway's "Matlab" for a clear introduction to programming fundamentals in an engineering context. It lays a solid foundation before moving on to more specialized topics.

Are these books too advanced for someone new to MATLAB?

Not at all. Many, like Stormy Attaway's and Holly Moore's books, are designed for beginners and gradually build up complexity with practical examples.

What's the best order to read these books?

Begin with foundational texts such as "Matlab" or "MATLAB for Engineers," then explore application-focused books like Gonzalez's on image processing or Chapra's on numerical methods.

Do these books assume I already have experience in MATLAB?

Most start from the basics, but some, like Chapra's, expect some programming familiarity. Choose based on your comfort level and learning goals.

Which book gives the most actionable advice I can use right away?

"Essential MATLAB for Engineers and Scientists" by Valentine and Hahn offers practical examples and tool usage that you can apply immediately in engineering projects.

Can I get MATLAB learning tailored to my specific needs?

Yes! While these books cover broad and specialized topics, you can create a personalized MATLAB book that adapts expert knowledge to your experience, goals, and industry for faster, focused learning.

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