This tutorial text provides the reader with an understanding of artificial neural networks (ANNs), and their application, beginning with the biological systems which inspired them, through the learning methods that have been developed, and the data collection processes, to the many ways ANNs are being used today. The material is presented with a minimum of math (although the mathematical details are included in the appendices for interested readers), and with a maximum of hands-on experience. All specialized terms are included in a glossary. The result is a highly readable text that will teach the engineer the guiding principles necessary to use and apply artificial neural networks.