Design of adaptive finite element software : the finite element toolbox ALBERTA During the last years scientific computing has become an important research branch located between applied mathematics and applied sciences and engineering. Highly efficient numerical methods are based on adaptive methods higher order discretizations fast linear and non linear iterative solvers multi level algorithms etc. Such methods are integrated in the adaptive finite element software ALBERTA. It is a toolbox for the fast and flexible implementation of efficient software for real life applications based on modern algorithms. ALBERTA also serves as an environment for improving existent or developing new numerical methods in an interplay with mathematical analysis and it allows the direct integration of such new or improved methods in existing simulation software. The book is accompanied by a full distribution of ALBERTA (version 1.2) ona CD including an implemetation of several model problems. These model implementations serve as a basis for students and researchers for the implementation of their own research projects within ALBERTA