Book Description

The Sixth Edition of BIOLOGY by Neil Campbell and Jane Reece builds upon the earlier versions' dual goals to both help readers develop a conceptual appreciation of life within the context of integrating themes, and to inspire readers to develop more positive and realistic impressions of science as a human activity. <P>The authors have thoroughly updated each of the book's eight units to reflect the existing progress in our understanding of life at its many levels, from molecules to ecosystems. Examples of updated content include the Human Genome Project, the revolution in systematics, HIV as a research model in evolutionary biology, the role of cell-signaling pathways in plant responses, new frontiers in neurobiology, and experimental approaches that are advancing ecology. To assure accurate representation of each field of biology, a team of stellar specialists has worked with the authors in updating every unit. <P>An innovative design breakthrough ensures that the art is as current as the content. Guided Tour diagrams explicitly guide readers through the more challenging figures, succinctly explaining key structures, functions, and steps of processes within the figure, reducing the need to look back and forth between legend and art. It's as if an instructor were looking over the reader's shoulder and clarifying each part of a figure! Guided Tour commentary is set in blue, making it easy to differentiate these explanations from ordinary labels and keeping the figure itself clear and uncluttered. For college instructors and students. ... Read more

Reviews (72)

a well laid out, informative book
I used this book this past summer in order to place out of College Bio I and II through a CLEP exam. Through independent study from this book and its companion CD I was able to place out in the 97th Percentile.

There is a reason why this book is still continued to be used today in classrooms as it is on its sixth edition. The authors use of layout in the book is well thought out and organized. His vast use of pictures, graphs, and tables streamline with the text of the book. In addition, the companion CD and web site provide the reader with an even greater study guide-- using interactive flash programs and video to further explain biological processes.

Further, in addition to the basic Biology taught in classrooms, this book goes one step further and explains some advancing fields in the Biology Profession. For example, chapter 20 covers the use of computers in analyzing biological data and gives prime examples from the current Human Genome Project. Further, every section of this book covers an interview with a specific individual in that profession. Such, if one is not aware of what exact field one wish's to pursue, interviews that cover some of the daily activities of these individuals are provided.

I would recommend this book for anyone who is seriously interested in Biology.

If possible I'd give it a 4.5
This is a nice book, though a bit tough for the unknowledgable person. This is supposed to be a general biology book, used by people without any prior knowledge of biology too, but I somehow don't know if they'll find it too easy. But other than that one drawback, i think that the rest of us will appreciate this book for what it's worth. It's nicely written, with a lot of illustrations and explainations. There are also many references to websites and stuff, so it's additionally useful. Depending on the book bought, there are some nice extras too. My version had a nice and very useful CD-ROM, with a lot of pictures and animations, and practice tests and etc. It also came with a free one year subsciption to an online biology website that was one of the best I've ever seen. Otherwise the subscription costs a lot. The text book by itself was good too, and I really had no need to read any outside material, I found it perfectly good. Everything considered, I really liked this book.

Not bad...could be better
Biology, by Campbell and Reece is very informative. However the book (6th Ed.) does not grab the interest of the student. As a college student, I have used Campbell's Biology publication in both Advanced Placement Biology in High School as well as Biology 1 in College. The text is very boring and does not use language which may interest the reader. Understandably, it uses strong science vocabulary, however, it tends to be a sure cure for Insomnia.

Now this, is a textbook
I loved this textbook. Imagine that, the words "love" and "textbook" in the same sentence. This is my first college Biology text so I don't have anything to compare it to, but I feel I did very well in my class not only because I love biology, but because this textbook explained everything in such an interesting and lucid way. The pictures and diagrams are wonderful and incredibly helpful. To give a random example, the chapters on cell mitosis and meiosis. This can be a potentially difficult subject if you're expected to memorize the various stages, and what the chromosomes are doing and when, but this book gives very helpful and colorful diagrams and light micrographs of each stage. The authors really understand the importance of visual learning in conjunction with reading.

Speaking of the authors, I was pleasantly surprised that the writing had a hint of personality, and didn't have the dreaded "textbook dry" monotone. It didn't feel as if robots wrote the book, as in some textbooks. I noticed they reinforced important core concepts throughout to drum it into the students head, like the the connection between "form and function", or how the size and shape of, for example an enzyme, is really it's most important characteristic.

I bought this book new and it came with a cd-rom, that for me, put my grades over the top. I'm not sure I would have done as well without this cd. In it are all sorts of quizzes and tests, a complete on-line version of the book, various links to helpful internet sites, and which I used the most, animations and voice commentary of each chapter. Many people are visual learners, and sometimes they get a much deeper understand of something when they see it in action.

I will not be selling this textbook back to the college after I'm done with it, this is a keeper. I have no complaints about it.

Very good Bio. Book
I am an unusually harsh critic of most textbooks. However, I must say that I am pleased to give this book 5 stars. As an introductory book, it is simply superb. It even covers some subjects far past the introductory level. Some may say that this "completeness" is something of a hindrance; however, I disagree. If the student carefully and actively reads, he should find no problem cutting the fat out, while retaining important intro material. Then, once the student has the basic information cold, the book makes a superb reference for a segway into intermediate or advanced topics. The books organization is very carefully planned and the integration of old material into new material is particularly deft for such a long text book. The section on plant physiology and form is particularly good and molecular biology is stressed throughout most chapters after an early introduction. My only complaint is that the problem sets at the end of each chapter are somewhat short, but this is not a serious problem. The binding and paper quality is pretty good as far as modern text books are concerned. All in all, a very good book. ... Read more

Book Description

iGenetics is the first integrated text written from the ground up and designed to provide a balanced introduction to genetics. Building on the proven strength of Russell's step-by-step problem-solving approach, iGenetics takes a modern, molecular approach. iGenetics covers basic genetics principles, with balanced coverage of Mendel, historical experiments, and cutting edge chapters on Genomics and Molecular Evolution. Over 500 class testers preferred the integrated iGenetics text and CD-ROM over their current book. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Pretty good, even if it is a bit wordy at times
I used this textbook when I took General Genetics this past semester. The book contains a wealth of information. In the course I took we focused on the basic principle of DNA and RNA, Mendelian principles, mono and dihybrid crosses, pedigrees and inheritance, multiple alleles located on different loci and multiple alleles located on the same loci, genetic mapping, damage and DNA repair mechanisms, prokaryotes gene regulation, and population genetics. This text did much to help my understanding of these topics and also contained other topics that we only touched upon in class or did not have time to cover, including the genetics of cancer, quantative genetics, and recombinate DNA technology.

At the end of each chapter in the text there are a number of conceptual questions and genetics "problems" that serve as a tool of teaching genetics by the problem based approach. These problems are helpful because my class focused on the problem based side of genetics, as most general genetics classes probably do. The book includes a CD-rom that includes the answers to ALL of the problems in the book for FREE! The CD-rom also contains movies that illustrate important mechanisms like transcribtion, translation, and DNA replication, as well as additional exercises. For me, I found it particulary helpful to be able to "see" genetic processes instead of just hearing about them in class.

Even though all of the anwsers to the book problems are included on the CD-rom, I would recommend picking on the Student Solution Guide as well because it is GREAT. It works out every single problem in the book. This is somewhat of a rarity for science books (especially biology ones). I can say that this solutions manuels is very helpful.

The only problem that I had with the textbook was that it was a bit wordy in some sections. While reading this book, I would recommend highlighting only those topics that your professor discusses in class and not getting hung up on terms that he or she has not talked about and sound like gobble-gook (Shrine-Delgado sequence, TATA box). Most likely, your class will focus on general concepts and you will not have the time to discuss the specifics in detail. I can't say that it is a bad thing that the book included detailed information from other areas of biology (biochemistry, cell biology), since these fields will be important if you are a biology major, but they probably do not need to be disscused in great detail in genetics if not prompted by the instructor.

Overall, I would say that this is a good genetics text. It contains usefull explanations and illustrations about topics that may not have been clearly explained in class, especially if your professor tends to mummble or doesn't have the best artistic style when it comes to drawing chromosomes.

Okay
I haven't been using this textbook very long, but there is one issue I think people might want to be aware of. If you buy this book used, you can't get access to the website. Mine didn't come with the CD-ROM either, but that's more to do with the person who sold it back than anything else (although if the CD-ROM were packaged so that you could just slip it into a pocket on the back cover more people might return the CD with the book). You can buy access to the website for $22/yr.

Could be better; could be worse
I haven't surveyed the entire landscape of genetics textbooks, but in general this one still left me lacking. My largest complaint: even though this is a first edition, the editing was atrocious.

Pretty colorful photos and good CD rom for extra effect
Overall, the book was well-written. I really enjoyed the color photos and the review questions at the end of the chapters was pretty good.

Also included was a CD-rom with the answers to the problems, iActivities to help us digest the chapters we read, and chapter quizzes.

I really enjoyed the chapter quizzes because they helped me focus on areas I was fuzzy about. However, I did not like the quizzes very much either, because there were wrong answers. Most of the time, I figured the answer it said was "correct" was wrong and vice versa, so if the problems with the CD can be cleared, this can be a great book. ... Read more

Book Description

Elaine Marieb's engaging writing style and meticulous attention to the learning needs of readers continue to be hallmarks of this market-leading book. The author not only reports the latest research and advancements in the field, she does so with a sense of fascination and encouragement. Every chapter has been scrutinized with the goal of helping readers understand core concepts and apply their knowledge to new situations. In addition, the book and supplements package offers a convenient, integrated learning system. For example, new end-of-chapter "Learning with Technology" sections make using CD-ROM and Internet resources easier than ever.For college instructors and students. ... Read more

Reviews (26)

The Mercedes of Undergraduate A&P Books
I used this book as a student, and refer to it frequently as a reference. This 1000 + page text explains the structure and function of the complicated, detailed human body in a logical, easy to understand manner. Everything about this book is user friendly including the presentation order, the writing, and the graphics. In each chapter, Marieb presents the big picture before zeroing in on the details. For the body's systems, (digestive, endocrine, respiratory, etc.) Marieb overviews the system, and then explains the gross and fine anatomy and associated physiology.

Here are a few of the many features I find impressive: * Graphics: Very impressive photographs and illustrations. The electron micrographs are spectacular. * Tables and charts - These greatly simplify the learning of complex concepts. For example, in the immune system chapter, there's a good table explaining the first and second lines of defense. * Medical applications - Common diseases are overviewed in the appropriate chapter, for example epilepsy is discussed in the neural integration chapter. There are occasional basic pharmacology and sports applications, such as diuretics and blood doping, respectively. * Making connections feature - Marieb shows how the system being studied relates to the other systems in the body.

This is an absolutely state of the art A&P book, and each edition is better than the last. It's expensive, but you get a lot for your money. It may be too detailed for some, who would be better served by her "Essentials of Anatomy and Physiology" text. If you're an A&P student, I recommended you use her workbook as well. I've found that working through the exercises really helps this information stick.

Great A&P book, written in friendly style
Elain Marieb presents a really wonderful anatomy and physiology text. It provides a colorful feast of pictures and charts for the visual learner without skimping on the important details in the text. Marieb's writing style is friendly, informal and descriptive. Her writing can get quite theoretical at times but she always comes back to earth with a common example.

This book is best suited for health sciences students (medicine, nursing, physical therapy, pharmacy etc.) as the book is littered with clinical applications. However students taking A&P at high school and undergrad level are well catered for. The book works systematically, from basic biochemistry to the organ systems and system interactions. Genetics and inheritance is also covered briefly.

What else is on offer? A large glossary (invaluable to an A&P text!)and a prefix/suffix table. There are chapter summaries and test quizzes. Some may enjoy the CD ROM computer interaction aspects, there's also access to Elain's internet site for A&P students.

Some of the material gets quite tough as the book progresses, but with re-reading and reference to other texts, students should quickly get a handle on the material. I previously owned a copy of the condensed "Essentials of human A&P" and traded it in for the full edition. I don't recommend students get the condensed version unless they are confining their A&P study to high school or 100 level college study.

In conclusion, this is good first textbook and greatly aids in one's course of study. Marieb takes the unimaginable complexity of the human body and presents it in a fun, relatively easy-to-read, lively text.

Great for A and P students, must buy
I used this book for both my Anatomy and Physiology class in undergrad. I found this book to be pretty easy to understand. Of course, at first it is overwhelming to know how much you have to remember for the test. At least, writing style of this book made A and P easier to learn. The material is presented in organized fashion. However, if you really want to know the type of questions asked on college Anatomy and Physiology Exams get the following which is on amazon: Anatomy and Physiology Study Guide: Key Review Questions and Answers with Explanations Volume 1(ISBN: 0971999619) and Volume 2 (ISBN: 0971999627). These two helped me to get A's on my exams. The textbook and the two study guides are well worth the money since they helped me to pass with high grades the first time. I was recommened the study guides from my cousin who used them for his A and P class and found them to be great for test preparation. I give each book 5 stars.

Yes, but...
This book is an outstanding achievement for a single author, and I have learned a great deal from it. I like the graphics, the layout, and the wealth of information. However, I do find many paragraphs and passages in this book difficult to follow, usually because crucial details are missing. See, for example the explanations of ossification (pages 181-183) and the countercurrent mechanism in the kidneys (pages 1022-1026). It took me less time to digest a whole book on the immune system than the corresponding chapter in this book (chapter 22).

There is a web site associated with the book, which gives the student an opportunity to ask questions. I submitted a couple of simple questions several weeks ago, but have yet to receive a reply.

Unfortunately, I don't know of any A & P book at this level that would be better.

Excellent textbook and a must buy
The author of this book is an excellent writer. She makes learning anatomy and physiology easier. This book is divided into so many topics like skeletal system, nervous system, circulatory system. This book helped me as a undergraduate A and P student. It helped me form the foundation of my knowledge. However, if you want a really good study guide that focuses on key topics seen on college A and P exams, I highly recommend the following: Key Facts for Anatomy and Physiology by Patrick Leonardi
This last study guide was on the mark for helping me prepare for the type of facts asked on my exams. I was recommended this book from another pre-med student taking a A and P course. Both books are must buys. ... Read more

Book Description

More than 500,000 students have purchased previous editions of this book! That's because this powerful study tool offers clear explanations and constant reinforcements, so that students quickly grasp this potentially difficult subject matter. It takes students from vectors to thermodynamics to applied nuclear physics, teaching effective problem-solving skills. The numerous, valuable appendixes make often-needed, basic information easy to find quickly, so this book is also an excellent reference.

The new edition of this best-selling book gives users a solid grasp of the principles of general physics through their application to a large number of carefully selected problems. The Ninth Edition features a new order of presentation that reflects the current physics curriculum and textbooks. Existing problems have been updated, and new problems have been added that deal with more realistic and practical situations, including those in the life sciences.

Reviews (6)

If You're in AP Physics & Need Some Review...
This book is awesome. It contains a ton of word problems, perfect for AP Test Prep and HW!

a little light
This book is probably good for high school physics. I am in a physics for non-majors course in college and I found the material in the book to be not in-depth enough. To be honest I found it relatively useless to consult when I had a tough question and needed some help. There are better books out there. I just ordered 3 books that were recommended to me: "The Physics Problem Solver" by James Ogden, "How To Solve Physics Problems and Make The Grade" by Robert M. Oman and Daniel M. Oman and "3,000 Solved Problems in Physics" by Alvin Halpern.

Don't bother with this book if you feel lost in physics because it won't really help you.

Your entire college textbook in outline form
I found this book to be a great review for my college physics class. Rather than a large chapter of dry reading, this book keeps everything simple, and to the point. Rather than a large discussion of Newton's Laws, they are simply listed for your reference.

The topics covered in the book are much too numerous to list out. I compared this with my physics textbook for science and engineering students. If you are having trouble understanding your textbook, use this text as a supplement. It does walk through problems and has problems you can try.

Regarding the practice problems, the answers are there, but they are right there. I would prefer to have the answers on another page, but this is still a good book.

Explanation and lots of practice problems
I am currently taking the first year of the Physics Avanced Placement class at my high school and this was one of the books that we needed for the class. Our teacher said that it was very good because of the problems and he is exactly right.

There are 46 chapters in the book covering many topics, starting from a beginner's standpoint. I must admit that the explanation in the beginning of each chapter is a little dry but it is concise and to the point. The most useful part of this book or guide is the many problems it has for each chapter. After the explanation part of the chapter, the chapter then goes on to show you problems and the solutions to them. It shows you how to solve them, each step of the way. After these problems, it then gives you many, many practice problems that you can do yourself, it also gives you the answers so that you can check to see if you were right in your calculations. There are so many problems for you to do that it is great practice and after all of them, you feel as if you have truly mastered the concept because the problems build off one another, starting with the easiest then getting progressively harder at the end.

I think this is a great book and a great supplement to a Physics course. However, there is one drawback in that this is not really a textbook, it does have some explanation at the beginning of the chapter which is good but it is not like your usual textbook which has more in-depth explanation. But, if you are using this book as a supplement or in connection with another book, then this is all you have to ask for.

Simple explanation, good practice problems.
Useful book with clear, simple explanations of subject material. Physics is all about solving problems so the illustrated and clearly solved problems increasing in difficulty were indispensable. (I wish I had used it more to study...) ... Read more

Book Description

General, Organic, and Biological Chemistryprovides a readable, uncomplicated and accessible introduction to those in allied health and other fields who have little or no background in chemistry. The author uses the same style and integrated pedagogy that have made her one-semester book so successful, balancing technical accuracy and everyday examples to help chemistry come to life for readers.For college instructors and students. ... Read more

Book Description

The best and most up-to-date study guide of its kind, this book summarizes the chemical principles of a first course in college chemistry through problems with clearly explained solutions. This new edition reflects changes in the major current textbooks, and it contains up-to-date information about newer techniques used in environmental chemistry, biochemistry and medicinal chemistry.

Reviews (3)

A good self-study course, if you're interested
I am the reader from Montezuma, NM, and after taking a few more chemistry courses and re-reading the outline, I feel that I should add a few observations to my enthusiastic review from above, which I wrote over 3 years ago.

I own many, many Schaum's Outlines, and am satisfied with all of them. However, before you buy this outline of college chemistry or any of the other Schaum's Outlines, you need to ask yourself what your needs are. If you are looking for a brief review of a subject, you should look elsewhere. If you are taking a course in general chemistry and need a little help with some areas of it, you should look elsewhere--preferably, ask someone with a thorough grasp of the subject to explain those areas to you.

The Schaum's Outlines are best used as a self-study tool. Let's face it, reviewing an entire subject and solving all the problems to gain a solid grasp on the material is difficult and time-consuming, and I suspect few students already enrolled in a course will have the extra time to rehash what they've already been told by reading through a Schaum's Outline, and even fewer will want to go through so many problems--at least in my courses, the problems we are provided are too much to begin with.

For review purposes, Schaum's may help some students, especially if you are reviewing years of material such as I did for my IB exam. However, since you need to know what your course will test you on specifically, you would need to go through the outline along with your notes. Therefore, spending more time reviewing your course notes might be a better use of your time.

Schaum's Outlines are essentially cheaply made textbooks, and, as with other texts, the writing varies widely from one book in the series to another. If a cheap self-study course is what you seek, or you'd like to preview a course you plan to take, by all means go with Schaum's. If you are a student looking for help with a subject, seek it elsewhere.

For help with grades, I suggest you try the Scham's "How to Study" guide and follow their suggestions.

An Excellent Study Aid
This book is concise and complete. The reviews are great, and the problems aren't just busywork--they actually will help you understand the material. For the higher level International Baccalaureate chemistry exam, I have had to review 2 years worth of general chemistry, and this book has helped me immensely.

Can be used as a informative supplement to class room text.
I am a chemistry major and found a lot of informative material included. The book explained the ideas thoroughly and the problems at the end of each section were a good source of review and practice. Everything was straight forward and easy to comprehend. ... Read more

Book Description

Published to glowing praise in 1990, Science for All Americans defined the science-literate American--describing the knowledge, skills, and attitudes all students should retain from their learning experience--and offered a series of recommendations for reforming our system of education in science, mathematics, and technology. Benchmarks for Science Literacy takes this one step further.Created in close consultation with a cross-section of American teachers, administrators, and scientists, Benchmarks elaborates on the recommendations to provide guidelines for what all students should know and be able to do in science, mathematics, and technology by the end of grades 2, 5, 8, and 12.These grade levels offer reasonable checkpoints for student progress toward science literacy, but do not suggest a rigid formula for teaching. Benchmarks is not a proposed curriculum, nor is it a plan for one: it is a tool educators can use as they design curricula that fit their student's needs and meet the goals first outlined in Science for All Americans.Far from pressing for a single educational program, Project 2061 advocates a reform strategy that will lead to more curriculum diversity than is common today.

IBenchmarks emerged from the work of six diverse school-district teams who were asked to rethink the K-12 curriculum and outline alternative ways of achieving science literacy for all students.These teams based their work on published research and the continuing advice of prominent educators, as well as their own teaching experience. Focusing on the understanding and interconnection of key concepts rather than rote memorization of terms and isolated facts, Benchmarks advocates building a lasting understanding of science and related fields.In a culture increasingly pervaded by science, mathematics, and technology, science literacy require habits of mind that will enable citizens to understand the world around them, make some sense of new technologies as they emerge and grow, and deal sensibly with problems that involve evidence, numbers, patterns, logical arguments, and technology--as well as the relationship of these disciplines to the arts, humanities, and vocational sciences--making science literacy relevant to all students, regardless of their career paths.

If Americans are to participate in a world shaped by modern science and mathematics, a world where technological know-how will offer the keys to economic and political stability in the twenty-first century, education in these areas must become one of the nation's highest priorities. Together with Science for All Americans, Benchmarks for Science Literacy offers a bold new agenda for the future of science education in this country, one that is certain to prepare our children for life in the twenty-first century. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

A Help for Science Teachers
I teach science in a small, very rural school to grades 7-12. I have been using this book for the first time this year.

I like how this book makes the benchmarks clear and specific. It doesn't just say, "Students will understand the structure of atoms" the way my state's standards do. It spells out exactly what the student should know about the structure of the atom.

I used to run a very textbook driven curriculum, but I found that the textbooks were woefully inadequate, but I lacked direction as to what I should be doing. When I recently changed schools, I also discovered this book, and it presented the answer.

At my new school, my textbooks are only a reference that mostly sit on the shelf. I have designed my curriculum more around these standards and my state standards.

This book makes it clear that there are many topics that I have taught that don't need to be taught. For example, during the past 2 years, I taught photosynthesis and respiration from the book: electron transport chain, pyruvate, and all. This year, I talked more about the carbon and the energy and where all the atoms went. My students this year can actually answer questions about these subjects. For the most part, they understand them. My previous students did not understand.

This book also has an excellent section on dealing with vocabulary. Much of science education substitutes vocabulary for understanding. I am now using many fewer technical words, and even then only introducing those words when the students understand the concepts.

I don't agree with some of the things in this book. There are a few subjects I think are more important than the authors do. There are also a few subjects the authors think are more important than I do. I also dislike their emphasis on attitudes about science and the amount of time they spend on the culture and history of science. I would like to see more emphasis on content.

Overall, however, this will make you a better teacher. If you are a parent, it will equip you to question what your child is learning (at any level) and to get your school to start making the changes our education system needs.

Benchmarks in designing curriculum
Many states have created specific standards for students to acheive throughtout their schooling. This publication is extremely useful in helping to understand the intent of standards and what they look like in the classroom. Anyone that is working on science and math curriculum must have a copy of this. It is also very useful for new teachers to get insight into exemplary content and practices. This document also helps people understand misconceptions that students develop over certain concepts. I've been using it continuously and have bought copies for many people in my school district. ... Read more

Book Description

• An up-to-date guide to basic concepts and applications in genetics­­from classic inheritance and population genetics to cutting-edge molecular genetics and biotechnology

• Provides 450 detailed problems, with step-by-step solutions, along with expert techniques for solving difficult problems, considerably expanding the reader's range of experience with various kinds of problems

This updated and expanded fourth edition of the best-selling solved-problem study guide, features new chapters on gene structure and regulation and mitochondrial inheritance, as well as new material on special topics, such as developmental genetics, bacterial genetics, viruses, transposable elements, cancer, and more

Reviews (2)

best genetics text available
The Stansfield/Elrod outline remains as comprehensive as any of the intro to genetics textbooks currently available. At about 10-15% the cost of the "standard" texts, this outline delivers the same material with more clarity, and often more accuracy. The concepts of classical genetics, which often prove more challenging for students than molecular aspects, are covered admirably in this book. While those who enjoy colorful illustration and pastel text boxes might be disappointed, the b&w figures in this book are extremely clear, logical and most importantly helpful towards learning the material. No solution manual or supplemental CD-ROM is required. Highly recommended as a reference, or as a text for general genetics classes.

real bargain
Comparable in scope, clarity, completeness, and accuracy to any of the very expensive general genetics texts currently available. And with this one there's nothing else to buy...no study guides, solution manuals, cd's or supplemental websites are required. The book stands alone, and does so for less than half the price of the solution manual for most texts. Particularly strong is the coverage of classical genetics, which can often be more difficult to grasp than the more modern "molecular" concepts of the science. Highly recommended for self-study, as a reference, or as a supplement to any genetics textbook. ... Read more

Book Description

Organic and Biological Chemistryprovides a readable, uncomplicated and accessible introduction to those in allied health and other fields who have little or no background in chemistry. The author uses the same style and integrated pedagogy that has made her book so successful, balancing technical accuracy and everyday examples to help chemistry come to life.For college students instructors and students. ... Read more

Book Description

This lab guide gets readers up and running quickly with exercises that help them get the most out of the more than 20,000 images in A.D.A.M.(r) Interactive Anatomy (AIA) software. Authors Lafferty and Panella are active AIA users who know what readers need to bridge the gap between systems-based anatomy books and the extensive illustration program in AIA.For college instructors and students. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Great reference for my gross anatomy class
I liked this book because it make anatomy much easier to retain because of the detailed pictures showing the structures of the body. I'm a visual learner and found this book to be very good in showing me the difference in location between various ligaments and bones etc. I also used the following which is also available on amazon:
Spinal Anatomy Study Guide: Key Review Questions and Answers
isbn: 0971999600
This study guide helped me with the type of questions encountered in on my medical gross anatomy tests in med school. I highly recommend both books ... Read more

Book Description

The fast, easy way to master the fundamentals of physics

Here is the most practical, complete, and easy-to-use guide available for understanding physics and the physical world. Even if you don't consider yourself a "science" person, this book helps make learning key concepts a pleasure, not a chore. Whether you need help in a course, want to review the basics for an exam, or simply have always been curious about such physical phenomena as energy, sound, electricity, light, and color, you've come to the right place! This fully up-to-date edition of Basic Physics:

• Has been tested, rewritten, and retested to ensure that you can teach yourself all about physics
• Requires no math—mathematical treatments and applications are included in optional sections so that you can choose either a mathematical or nonmathematical approach
• Lets you work at your own pace with a helpful question-and-answer format
• Lists objectives for each chapter—you can skip ahead or find extra help if you need it
• Reinforces what you learn with end-of-chapter self-tests

Reviews (7)

Rudimentary and Generally Useless for Studying...
I am currently enrolled in an entry-level physics course. There is no calculus involved in this course, nor is it a "math" based physics course: Rather, it is an introduction to most topics fundamental to physics. For the purposes of academicia, this book is essentially useless. Its coverage of topics attempts to be too many things at once: As a student, I got the impression that it was an attempt to cover everything, but with as little complexity as possible.

Thus, one is left with a sense of surface understanding, but very few abilities for application.

This book was purchased as a method by which I could introduce myself to topics covered in class. The theory behind this was that if i learned the basics from an outside source, then when we covered them (more in-depth and mechanical, less layman's-terms). This book provides an overly-simplified, dumbed-down portrayal of physics.

If you've never taken any physics courses and have - literally - no background in mechanics (and a weak background in algebra-based math), then this book may be perfect for you: It is a gentle, superficial introduction to the most basic concepts of physics. There basic discussion of Newton's laws of motion, some kinetic/potential energy discussion, etc: All topics common to most non-math physics courses. Additionally, while brief explanations of major laws and motions are given, there are very few practice problems and application instances. Thus, you've learned - in theory - say, Newton's Second Law. But the book, in no way, guides you through an application of said law.

Simply, it is a gentle introduction - and very gentle, at that - to the world of physics. The simple language is easy to follow, though topics are hardly covered thoroughly. But it is a good starting-off point if you are easing yourself into the study of physics (on your own). I highly recommend finding another, more thorough (and in-depth) book in order to further examine topics.

An useful introduction to physics
rating 4.5;

Dr Kuhn has made a somewhat different approach to the usual methods of teaching physics
1) Mathematically (formulas!)
2) Conceptually (no mathematics, just ideas, more like 'popular science')

Instead he has sought a pedagogically stronger middle ground (balancing act) between these two methods that don't always compliment each other: especially in the minds of those who can't do mathematics very well but commmunicate well, or do mathematics very well and not the communicating thing very well. This means he has effectively made physics more accessible and more applicable (by including optional mathematical treatments of some topics). SO you can learn the concepts and then move on to the introductory mathematics of these concepts.

Lets face it: the push with physics now, so it seems, is concept mastery before mathematical treatment (anybody can learn some equations, plug the numbers in and turn the handle...it's knowing what they meant that's far more important). Dr Kuhn does a good job of this. His language, style and setting are conducive to reading and gaining the concepts in a fairly standard progression (this can be seen in the table of contents). The level here is for the 10-11 grade student or somebody who has never seen physics before. This book will not make passing those university physics courses overly likely. But it will get you on the right track so you can confront the books that those courses require you to read (and work with mathematically). Dr Kuhn uses the tool of a small 'section' quiz - three, four five questions at the end of each section (very short!) to reinforce the point of that section. His presentation of material in small 'bite-sized' pieces is also good, as is the profusion of diagrams (albeit black and white, line diagrams for the most part).

I admire the Dr Kuhn has made 'real', formalized physics (rather than just pop science) more approachable, applicable and this can't be bad. Maybe it will take some of the tarnish of the bad name physics has as 'the geek science'. And yes, the book is mostly metric!

One annoyance (hence the loss of 0.5 stars): the answers are right after the questions so it' easy for the student to 'accidentally' catch a peak. Maybe next edition put them at the end of the chapter or in an appendix.

Another book that could be used to compliment (or follow on from) Dr Kuhn's book, having a higher level and depth and more mathematics, is Physics (Palgrave Foundations)by Jim Breithaupt (isbn: 1403900558). It is geared more toward the final year high school student/1st year university student. Followed by Physics by Hecht (isbn: 0534339859) if you want a serious physics books (and weighty one too!)

So in all, this book is a very good starting point for physics! It doesn't promise more than an introduction to the topic, but at least it will present you with enough concepts so you can move onwards and upwards through the subject (of course, with the comensurate rise in mathematics and the ability to do it). I think if I was facing learning physics from scratch (thank god I'm not -> I have an engineering degree), this is the book I would like to try with. I think it would make that both enjoyable and rewarding because making learning progress and gaining conceptual understanding is a major theme of this book.

New to Physics?
If you are new to physics and know nothing about the subject than this is the place to start. It makes learning physics fun and easy. It covers all the basics and unlike other books their are no mistakes that I am aware of. This book takes a non-mathematical approach toward the subject so you don't have to be a wiz at math. Although, their is some math involved, most is optional. Their are problems to be solved on almost every page and their is a quiz at the end of each chapter to reinforce what you learn. Their are other great physics books out there but this is the best one I've read, hands down.

Might I also recommend, 'Physics Made Simple'. A great book as well.

Pretty Good
Should bring you up to Grade 12 level in Physics or serve as a good primer for those middle age lovers of science whose occupations never test our knowledge of physics, but nonetheless who feel the need for a physics "fix" later in life.

This book is so good that I never have to ask my wife (an Engineer) for help. In that sense it is good for family relations as well.

A Good Start
This book is a great place to start for anyone wanting to learn the basics of Newtonian physics. I decided to read this book in preparation for my high school's Physics AP class that I'll be taking next year. Comparing this book to an outline of the course, I found that the book covers more topics than the class, but in less detail. Like I said, it's great for the basics, but that's about it. The approach is rather non-mathematical, but very clear and easy to understand. Kuhn has done a great job of making basic physics understandable. This book, in conjunction with a study text, such as Schaum's Beginning Physics I or a textbook, would be an ideal way to learn physics on your own. ... Read more

Book Description

Jennifer Kahn's "Stripped for Parts" was selected as the lead story of this year's Best American Science Writing because, as Dava Sobel, best-selling author of Longitude and Galileo's Daughter, reveals, "it begins with one of the most arresting openings I have ever read." In "Columbia's Last Flight," William Langewiesche recounts the February 1, 2003, space shuttle tragedy, along with the investigation into the nationwide complacency that brought the ship down. K. C. Cole's "Fun with Physics" is a profile of astrophysicist Janet Conrad that blends her personal life with professional activity. In "Desperate Measures," the doctor and writer Atul Gawande profiles the surgeon Francis Daniels Moore, whose experiments in the 1940s and '50s pushed medicine harder and farther than almost anyone had contemplated. Also included is a poem by the legendary John Updike, "Mars as Bright as Venus." The collection ends with Diane Ackerman's "ebullient" essay "We Are All a Part of Nature."

Together these twenty-three articles on a wide range of today's most current topics in science -- from biology, physics, biotechnology, and astronomy, to anthropology, genetics, evolutionary theory, and cognition‚ represent the full spectrum of scientific writing from America's most prominent science authors, proving once again that "good science writing is evidently plentiful" (Scientific American).

Book Description

Newly revised to accompany Microbiology: An Introduction, Seventh Edition by Tortora, Funke, and Case, this lab manual includes 57 experiments that demonstrate the broad spectrum of microbiology.Intended as a manual of basic microbiologic techniques, this popular lab manual features applications in diverse areas, including the biological sciences, the allied health sciences, agriculture, environmental science, nutrition, pharmacy, and various pre-professional programs. Experiments have been refined in this new edition to encourage readers to develop critical thinking skills as well as learn basic facts and technical skills. Material with direct application to clinical and commercial labs is included whenever possible, and increased emphasis is placed on lab safety.For college instructors and students. ... Read more

Amazon.com

The theory of evolution is regarded as one of the greatest glimmeringsof understanding humans have ever had. It is an idea of science, not ofbelief, and therefore undergoes constant scrutiny and testing byargumentative evolutionary biologists. But while Darwinists may disagreeon a great many things, they all operate within a (thus far) successfulframework of thought first set down in The Origin of Species in 1859.

In The Structure of Evolutionary Theory, a monumental labor ofacademic love, Stephen Jay Gould attempts to define and revise thatframework. Using the clear metaphors and personable style he is so wellknown for, Gould outlines the foundation of the theory and attempts touse it to show that modern evolutionary biology has lost its way. Hethen offers his own system for reconciling Darwin's "basic logicalcommitments" with the critiques of modern scientists.

Gould's massive opus begs a new look at natural selection with the fullweight of history behind it. His opponents will find much to criticize,and orthodox, reductionist Darwinists might feel that Gould has giventhem short shrift. But as an opening monologue for the new century'sbiological debates, The Structure of Evolutionary Theory sets amountainous precedent in exhaustive scholarship, careful logic, andsheer reading pleasure. --Therese Littleton ... Read more

Reviews (52)

The most important book on evolutionary theory since Darwin
Gould's Structure must surely rank as one of the most important contributions to evolutionary theory since the publication of Origin of Species. In brief, this massive book consists of two parts, the first being an extensive historical review of theories of evolution beginning even before Darwin and extending up to the Modern Synthesis in the 1960s, and the second a critique of key elements in evolutionary theory as formulated by Darwin and codified in the Modern Synthesis. Theoretical controversies introduced in the historical section are shown to persist even in today's discussions. Incidentally, in the first chapter there is a 40 page "abstract" which is an excellent chapter by chapter summary of the book's major points.
Some of the key Darwinian conceptions and Gould's counterproposals are as follows:
1) Darwin: natural selection at the level of the individual organism is the sole, or at least by far the most important, contributor to evolution.
Gould: There is a hierarchy of natural selection, with selection at the species level, not the organismal level, as the most important for macroevolution.
2) Darwin: natural selection operating on (hereditable)variation is by far the most dominant factor in causing evolution.
Gould: constraints on hereditable variation imposed by developmental mechanisms play a very important evolutionary role (this is where Gould gives a superb discussion of some of the recent advances in evolutionary developmental biology ("evo-devo") integrated into evolutionary theory.)
3) Darwin: Gradual transformation over geological time spans leads to the development of new species.
Gould: In fact, the paleontological evidence is that the vast majority of species develop with great rapidity (in geological terms) and then remain stable before extinction and/or replacement by a new species (punctuated equilibrium). Additionally, global catastrophic events such as the meteorite hit at the end of the Cretaceous era cause massive, sudden, and unpredictable changes in evolution.
I really can't praise this book highly enough. Yes it is long, but Gould's keen analytic abilities and his penchant for introducing interesting analogies (such as spandrels, and their classification into "franklins" and "miltons") kept my attention throughout. This is not a conventional "textbook" of evolution; you won't find here a systematic survey of how and when various different animal groups evolved. But it is an absolutely masterful survey of the theory behind evolution, buttressed by numerous in-depth examples. However, I would strongly suggest to those without much of a background in these matters reading an introductory book like Carl Zimmer's Evolution before attempting to tackle Structure.

More of the same
Gould is famous for his writings in Natural History Magazine, and he has many volumes of reprints. Over the 25 years of producing these volumes his style has changed. Originally, he 'taught' evolution, including the enormously valuable historical perspective that simply was not available elsewhere. It was wonderful reading. Gould really shines here.

But over time his style changed; his articles spent more and more column inches trying to demonstrate that his personal ideas in evolutionary theory must be true since he could find so many examples in other fields of human endeavor. Architecture is a favorite. It's not that architecture isn't interesting; I even think spandrels are interesting mathematically, too. The structural origins of spandrels really doesn't contribute as much to evolutionary thought as the presentation would suggest. His recent writing simply go too far out of the way to demonstrate that he can take any field of human knowledge (those in which he has an interest, and numerous they are) and find some connection with evolution. But, as a friend of mine says, "The juice isn't worth the squeeze."

Gould's 'big idea' has been Punctuated Equilibrium. It is an insightful view of the evolutionary record, and an important contribution to the field. It stands shoulder to shoulder with the idea of Population Thinking; how to view the world through the eyes of a biologist.

I think Gould wasn't very happy with the modest reception his big idea received. Many of his later publications, along with those of Eldredge, were more pleading than persuasive. It was A big idea, but not THE big idea. It was not a revolution in evolutionary theory; it is consistent with the modern synthesis.

Gould opens this book by telling us that it, too, is 'one long argument', as Darwin referred to his own "Origin of Species". It is also the title of a recent book by Ernst Mayr. This is an on-going, perhaps unconscious, effort of Gould's to be more Mayr-like in his writing. In many ways "The Structure of Evolutionary Theory" is an attempt to replicate Mayr's "Growth of Biological Thought" and "Towards a New Philosophy of Biology".

In fact, this book begins with almost one hundred pages that seem to be a book within the book; I think Gould finished his 'big book' early and then felt compelled to write an 80 page 'paperback' introduction to it. Feel free to skip these and go right to the meat. Still, the meat is tough.

Reading Gould, the prose always seemed to get in the way of the content. TO a great extent, it still does. If you put in the effort, you will find some great ideas to think about.

Interesting book....but long-winded and bloated
As a non-biologist I found this book tough to read. First, at nearly 1,400 pages the book suffers from a complete lack of editing or even clear sense of organization. SET does not really flow, but, rather, vomits forth sections and subsections in an unending torrent of seemingly ill-planned and overly huge chapters. Second, the book was filled with duplication, uneeded "I'm-so-smart" self-congratulation, and varied in how readable it was. It often went from being a broad conceputal overview focusing on clear theoretical argumentation -- the justification for species-level selection, for instance -- to (me at least) mind-numbing excursions into jargon-filled technical studies. The result was that Gould ended up writing a book ill suited for laymen or experts in the field -- a mish-mash resulting from writing for too broad an audience.

On the plus side, there is a hell of a lot of stuff in there. I feel I now have a fairly good grasp, for an interested layman, of evolutionary theory, especially the drawbacks of "conventional" Darwinian natural selection, and how Gould's suggested theoretical "fixes" -- punctuated equilibrium, hierarchical selection, and species selection -- improves upon Darwin. The deep historical detail Gould goes into when discussing the history of Darwinian thought is also nice, especially for an outsider with little knowledge of evolutionary theory. I also enjoyed Gould's take on "Galton's Polyhedron", explanation of "spandrels", and the connection he draws between structural constraint and selective forces -- concepts I can use when thinking about outcomes in my field, the social sciences.

On the whole, I would say SET is very rich in detail, informaton, and explanation, but gets low marks for exposition. The book could clearly benefit from further editing which is why I give it only 3 stars.

Gould fails to get out of his own way
I agree wholeheartedly with the review by "A reader from Vic, Australia." This book is a classic example of what happens when an author gets too big for his editor. The notion that he even had one must be taken as a matter of blind faith, as there is no empirical evidence for it.

Gould might well have had something important to say in this book; certainly, that was my hope when I bought it. Unfortunately, however, he was too busy stringing together endless chains of metaphors and inventing analogies -- many of which are dead ends -- to tell us what it was.

For hardcore enthusiasts only
This is a massive book and a fitting final achievement for the immensely popular intellectual. I would recommend it to people who are interested in a deep understanding of Gould's point of view. Gould was undoubtedly a great thinker and his view of evolution is more complex and sophisticated than that of the vast majority of biologists. His most notable real achievement may have been counteracting certain misconceptions about Darwinism, although it is not entirely clear that anyone ever held the misconceptions he claims to have dispelled.

So, why the two stars?

1. His writing is appalling: pretentious, long-winded and cluttered with irrelevent and misleading literary and sporting analogies. For people who want to understand the arguments, rather than admire florid prose and elegant historical rambles, this is very irritating. The Chronicle quotes Gould as saying: "If I'm competent in anything, it's writing." He couldn't be more wrong.

2. The book is desperately in need of a good editor, not just to correct (1) above, but to eliminate a massive amount of repetition. Gould had no tolerance for editing, never redrafted and composed solely on a typewriter, and that shows very painfully. As Library Journal put it - "bloated, redundant and self-indulgent".

3. It's said that the book was written with the intention of establishing Gould in the popular imagination as Darwin's successor. With this aim he pulls a lot of dirty tricks on the reader, ranging from misleading metaphors, to straw men, to selective quotations. These are cleverly structured and stated with great authority, making them very difficult for the non-expert to pick.

4. Just because his view is sophisticated, complex, historical, and rich in literary allusion, doesn't mean it's correct. In fact, the vast majority of evolutionary biologists remain skeptical of Gould's claims, for good reasons that he does not explain.

In summary, the book may be worth reading for evolutionary biologists. It is a terrible book for the laypeople who are Gould's main readers. In contrast, Richard Dawkin's books are highly accessible, enjoyable, and convey core concepts very clearly. ... Read more

Book Description

This best-selling majors ecology book continues to present ecology as a series of problems for readers to critically analyze. No other text presents analytical, quantitative, and statistical ecological information in an equally accessible style. Reflecting the way ecologists actually practice, the book emphasizes the role of experiments in testing ecological ideas and discusses many contemporary and controversial problems related to distribution and abundance. Throughout the book, Krebs thoroughly explains the application of mathematical concepts in ecology while reinforcing these concepts with research references, examples, and interesting end-of-chapter review questions. Thoroughly updated with new examples and references, the book now features a new full-color design and is accompanied by an art CD-ROM for instructors. <P>The field package also includes The Ecology Action Guide, a guide that encourages readers to be environmentally responsible citizens, and a subscription to The Ecology Place (www.ecologyplace.com), a web site and CD-ROM that enables users to become virtual field ecologists by performing experiments such as estimating the number of mice on an imaginary island or restoring prairie land in Iowa.For college instructors and students. ... Read more

Book Description

The Ph.D. Process offers the essential guidance that students in the biological and physical sciences need to get the most out of their years in graduate school. Drawing upon the insights of numerous current and former graduate students, this book presents a rich portrayal of the intellectual and emotional challenges inherent in becoming a scientist, and offers the informed, practical advice a "best friend" would give about each stage of the graduate school experience. What are the best strategies for applying to a graduate program?How are classes conducted?How should I choose an advisor and a research project? What steps can I take now to make myself more "employable" when I get my degree?What goes on at the oral defense? Through a balanced, thorough examination of issues ranging from lab etiquette to stress management, the authors--each a Ph.D. in the sciences--provide the vital information that will allow students to make informed decisions all along the way to the degree. Headlined sections within each chapter make it fast and easy to look up any subject, while dozens of quotes describing personal experiences in graduate programs from people in diverse scientific fields contribute invaluable real-life expertise. Special attention is also given to the needs of international students.

Read in advance, this book prepares students for each step of the graduate school experience that awaits them. Read during the course of a graduate education, it serves as a handy reference covering virtually all major issues and decisions a doctoral candidate is likely to face. The Ph.D. Process is the one book every graduate student in the biological and physical sciences can use to stay a step ahead, from application all the way through graduation. ... Read more

Reviews (14)

What you've always wanted to know about graduate school...
This is the first book I've seen that deals with the opportunities and challenges of being a graduate student in the sciences in a fair and equitable fashion. You'll find neither university-specific recruitment cheerleading nor intellectual snobbery in this book, just what the reality of life is like for students in graduate school. And make no mistake - this reality is very personal. From choosing a graduate school to tying up the loose ends of your dissertation, this book explains just what you can expect from this exhilarating, unnerving, and sometimes overwhelming experience. I wish this book had been available when I was applying to graduate schools! I highly recommend it to anyone, whether they are simply considering going to graduate school or are weeks away from a defense date.

Being a graduate student in the sciences can be very isolating, and reading about other students' experiences that echo your own (especially in other universities around the country) provides a sometimes much-needed perspective on both your feelings and your attitudes about your current work and your upcoming career. If you are considering a Ph.D. in the sciences, READ THIS BOOK.

Great Introduction to Graduate School
I am a senior in college and I've just finished the graduate school application process. Although I have been exposed to graduate school life at my university, I just bought this book to get a complete review of the whole process. I think this book does a great job explaining every step from chosing a school to writing a dissertation. It was nice to read this book before I go to graduate school because now I know exactly what to expect.
The quotes from students are very helpful and you get an honest opinion of what students are thinking about graduate school. It might have been nice to have a longer chapter about the application process itself, how the schools notify you if you'ce been accpeted, how long you should wait before you can assume you didn't get in etc. All in all though, this is a very informative book. Although I haven't actually started graduate school yet, I would reccomend this book to anyone considering applying.

For Science, Engineering, and Computer Science Grad Students
The following was copied from another website's review of The Ph.D. Process, and I think it describes the book perfectly:

Graduate school in science is not an experiential extension of undergraduate education, where the passing of a sufficient number of courses usually guarantees one a degree; nor is it medical school or law school, where there is a delineated and set curriculum. Ph.D students are actually pretty much on their own--and they will sink or swim depending upon their own interpretation of how the system works.

The purpose of this book is to provide students with some insight into this unusual system. The authors--each a Ph.D. in the sciences--reveal the generally unspoken "rules" of the game. They offer the secrets of survival and success: What should you discuss in your application essay? What types of research advisors should you avoid? What kinds of research projects should you never undertake? How hard do you have to work? Are grades important? What steps should you take now to make yourself "employable" when you finish? What decisions can make or break your career? How can you network in the scientific community? What goes on at the oral defense, and how can you prepare?

Described also is the daily experience itself: research life, classes, seminars, journal clubs, lab meetings, interactions with peers and professors, qualifying exams, professional meetings, oral exams, dissertation preparation, etc. Anxiety, frustration, and joy-- all normal responses to a grad student's life--are also examined. (In quotes sprinkled throughout the text, numerous past and present grad students relate their individual experiences and emotions during their doctoral training.) A separate chapter is devoted to the special problems of foreign students, strangers to our culture and educational system.

There are many intellectual and emotional challenges inherent to becoming a scientist. This book prepares students for each stage of the experience. They will learn what to expect--socially, psychologically, and academically!

What Grad School is Really Like
The PhD process is a great overview of graduate school in the sciences. It covers most basic topics such as choosing a type of school, applying, preliminary exams, comps, thesis work, etc. Of course each school does these things slightly differently, but the main points are there and the authors do a good job of pointing out where differences between programs are likely to turn up. This book also explains things that graduate programs aren't likely to advertise such as using students as 'cheap labor' and what things to look for in an advisor other than interesting research. This is a fun to read honest book, and the anecdotes from current and past graduate students are the best part. I enjoyed reading them because so many of the same things have happened to me, and it's nice to know that I'm not alone.

I wouldn't say that I received any great insights from the book because I had some experience with academic labs before I applied to graduate school and had a pretty good idea of what I was getting into. I found it a little calming to read about others' experiences as I was waiting to get started. I think most students who apply to graduate school have already spent much time in labs with current graduate students so this might not be that useful to them as practical advise; however, I found this book to be an excellent resource for my parents. My parents had no idea what graduate school is like, and the fact that I'm at school all day and only go to class for an hour baffles them to no end. Reading this book helped them to understand the structure and goals of graduate school. Though I still don't think they understand journal club. (Why would anyone join that club? It doesn't sound like very much fun.)

I recommend this book to grad students for their parents or to undergraduates who aren't sure if graduate school is the right path for them. This book gives great insight into what graduate school is really like.

Required Reading
This book should be required reading for anyone applying to gradutate school in the sciences (physical or biological). A quick read of the text will give one plenty to think about before making the big decision. The earlier you read it the better off you will be. The most important reading regards selecting an advisor. I am in the process of completing my degree and in hind sight agree with the issues on which the author has choosen to focus. ... Read more