This book, based on lectures presented in courses on algebraic geometry taught by the author at Purdue University, is intended for engineers and scientists (especially computer scientists), as well as graduate students and advanced undergraduates in mathematics. In addition to providing a concrete or algorithmic approach to algebraic geometry, the author also attempts to motivate and explain its link to more modern algebraic geometry based on abstract algebra. The book covers various topics in the theory of algebraic curves and surfaces, such as rational and polynomial parametrization, functions and differentials on a curve, branches and valuations, and resolution of singularities. The emphasis is on presenting heuristic ideas and suggestive arguments rather than formal proofs. Readers will gain new insight into the subject of algebraic geometry in a way that should increase appreciation of modern treatments of the subject, as well as enhance its utility in applications in science and industry.