Practical and not too rigorous, this highly readable text on stochastic calculus provides an excellent introduction to stochastic partial differential equations. Written at a moderately advanced level, it covers important topics often ignored by other texts on the subject--including Fokker-Planck equations--and it functions as both a classroom text and a reference for professionals and students.
The only prerequisite is the mathematical preparation usual for students of physical and engineering sciences. An introductory chapter, intended for reference and review, covers the basics of probability theory. Subsequent chapters focus on Markov and diffusion processes, Wiener process and white noise, and stochastic integrals and differential equations. Additional topics include questions of modeling and approximation, stability of stochastic dynamic systems, optimal filtering of a disturbed signal, and optimal control of stochastic dynamic systems.