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What Is Life? A Guide to Biology
Does the vaccine for measles, mumps, and rubella cause autism?
What is the most common reason that DNA analyses overturn incorrect criminal convictions?
What genetically modified foods do most people in the United States consume (usually without knowing it)?
In his popular classes and bestselling textbooks, Jay Phelan uses questions like these as a way of introducing both the practical impact and awe-inspiring wonder of biological research. Phelan knows how to captivate nonmajors with stories of how scientists investigate life. He is also a master at using study of biology as a context for developing the critical thinking skills and scientific literacy students can draw on through college and beyond.
Phelan's dynamic approach to teaching biology is the driving force behind What Is Life?--the most successful new non-majors biology textbook of the millennium. The rigorously updated new edition brings forward the features that made the book a classroom favorite (chapters anchored to intriguing questions about life, spectacular original illustrations, innovative learning tools) with a more focused and flexible presentation and enhanced art.
And more than ever, this edition is a seamless text/media source, with its dedicated version of LaunchPad, Macmillan's breakthrough online course space which integrates an interactive e-Book, all student media, a wide range of assessment and course management features.
What is the most common reason that DNA analyses overturn incorrect criminal convictions?
What genetically modified foods do most people in the United States consume (usually without knowing it)?
In his popular classes and bestselling textbooks, Jay Phelan uses questions like these as a way of introducing both the practical impact and awe-inspiring wonder of biological research. Phelan knows how to captivate nonmajors with stories of how scientists investigate life. He is also a master at using study of biology as a context for developing the critical thinking skills and scientific literacy students can draw on through college and beyond.
Phelan's dynamic approach to teaching biology is the driving force behind What Is Life?--the most successful new non-majors biology textbook of the millennium. The rigorously updated new edition brings forward the features that made the book a classroom favorite (chapters anchored to intriguing questions about life, spectacular original illustrations, innovative learning tools) with a more focused and flexible presentation and enhanced art.
And more than ever, this edition is a seamless text/media source, with its dedicated version of LaunchPad, Macmillan's breakthrough online course space which integrates an interactive e-Book, all student media, a wide range of assessment and course management features.
- GenresScienceSchoolNonfiction
Unbound
First published February 20, 2009
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
March 7, 2019
It's so hard to review textbooks because most of them are pretty utilitarian. So, if I were rating this book on the sole basis of whether or not it provided information necessary to help me pass a GUR Biology 101 class, I'd give it a 5/5 stars.
Except I really didn't enjoy it. It took some serious willpower to read my assigned chapters. And did I mention how expensive it is? I'm convinced that all these "updated editions" are created just so universities have to keep buying more of these bad boys. I'm taking off a star just for that.
It did its job, but at what cost? (Usually between 70 and 100 dollars depending on which versions your professor/school requires.)
I don't feel mean for giving a lower score on this because it's not really written for enjoyment. It's written for education. And also profit. Hundreds of students are forced to purchase these guys every quarter, and I don't even know what happens to them afterwards because they're not in the library and I couldn't find a single used copy for sale.
Since most mass market paperbacks cost around 8 dollars, I'm going to mourn the opportunity cost of 12 and a half novels from Barnes and Noble, or almost 24 at HalfPrice Books or any of the local used bookstores in my area.
Oh well. I guess I have a 100 dollar doorstop now. Except, depending on the door, this thing may not be heavy enough to keep from sliding around.
Paper weight. It's a paper weight.
Except I really didn't enjoy it. It took some serious willpower to read my assigned chapters. And did I mention how expensive it is? I'm convinced that all these "updated editions" are created just so universities have to keep buying more of these bad boys. I'm taking off a star just for that.
It did its job, but at what cost? (Usually between 70 and 100 dollars depending on which versions your professor/school requires.)
I don't feel mean for giving a lower score on this because it's not really written for enjoyment. It's written for education. And also profit. Hundreds of students are forced to purchase these guys every quarter, and I don't even know what happens to them afterwards because they're not in the library and I couldn't find a single used copy for sale.
Since most mass market paperbacks cost around 8 dollars, I'm going to mourn the opportunity cost of 12 and a half novels from Barnes and Noble, or almost 24 at HalfPrice Books or any of the local used bookstores in my area.
Oh well. I guess I have a 100 dollar doorstop now. Except, depending on the door, this thing may not be heavy enough to keep from sliding around.
Paper weight. It's a paper weight.
April 6, 2020
"Practically perfect in every way" - Mary Poppins
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October 30, 2018
This is actually a really good and interesting book! If you are looking for an introduction to the major topics of biology, this is a great book to help you get started!
March 24, 2020
want to read
December 22, 2022
I loved the quizzes at the end of each chapter it really does make sure you comprehend the topic before moving on!
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews