Book excerpt: Becoming a Finite Element Analyst: A Design-Model-Verify Approach helps students become solid finite element analysts through hands-on lessons. Rather than focusing on theory, the book uses an inverted approach. Students are first shown how to build finite element models of real engineering parts through increasingly complex examples and case studies. They are then introduced to the accompanying theory. The book is based on a design-model-verify approach that teaches three key skillsets: stress analysis of solids, beams, shells, and assemblies; modal and bucking analysis; and nonlinear and thermal analysis. Students make critical decisions to convert a real part into an appropriately simplified model. They choose the element types and boundary conditions to best represent their model and interpret simulation results to determine if the results are realistic and reasonable. The revised first edition has been revised to enhance or replace tables, figures, questions, and discussions about problem results. Appendix B has been expanded to include more beam loading conditions, as well as stress and deflection equations for some simple plates and shells. Appendix E was added to include some basic natural frequency verification tables. Becoming a Finite Element Analyst is suitable for senior-level undergraduate or beginning graduate courses in applied finite element methods.