Microbiology: A Systems Approach

by Marjorie Kelly Cowan

A Systems Approach is a non-majors microbiology textbook that has quickly become known for its unique organization, appealing writing style, and current medical applications. Cowan/Talaro utilizes an organ systems approach, but unlike any other book, this text first describes the clinical presentation (the particular set of symptoms) and then all of the organisms that could cause the symptom as opposed to just providing a long list of organisms to study. This treatment is unique and represents a real difference in the method of teaching microbiology.

Genres: Science, Textbooks, Biology, Reference, Nonfiction

869 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 2000

About the author

Professor Emerita of Micro­biology

Reviews

[Rui · Rating 2 out of 5]

There are so many typos and contradictory information in this book I can’t believe it’s an actual textbook.
In 1.1 it says “there are several major groups of microorganisms that we’ll be studying. They are bacteria…, helminths”. Helminths aren’t microorganisms and the book even emphasized that on pg.8.
On pg. 4 “ubiquitous” was misspelled even though it was in bold and has a hyperlink to it in the ebook.
The story in 1.6 about how Leeuwenhoek’s interest in microscopy first started in fabrics was also not true according to an article by Brian J. Ford.
In the beginning of chapter 4 it stated that bacteria do not wind their DNA around proteins like eukaryotes and archaea, and yet in 4.4 it contradicted itself again by saying the bacterial chromosome is “tightly coiled around special basic protein molecules”. Like I understand many bacteria have plasmids as well which don’t coil around proteins but still? Maybe don’t say that bacteria don’t wind DNA around proteins.
I have so many complaints about the quality of this textbook.

[Ângela Maresch · Rating 5 out of 5]

I deeply adore this book. I didn't even like Microbiology very much, but this book makes everything so simple and attractive! You get a good grasp on bacteria and their metabolism, then learn a bit about antimicrobials (I'll admit it, this is not a strong in this book), get acquainted with the inborn and specific immunological mechanisms, and then... a chapter on each system - because this was why we came here in the first place! I love how the author selected the main bacteria, but also virus, parasites and fungi! They are individually explained in some detail, and then, at the end of each chapter, you have a few questions and a short version of the information given. Did I mention the clinical insights and fabulous illustrations? If you want to know more about clinical microbiology, no matter your backgroung, get this book already.

[Paulia BSN-RN · Rating 5 out of 5]

Comes with an interactive connex software that makes this subject matter easy to absorb and understand. Microbiology by far is a favorite one; what dirty creatures we all are in the world of mircroorganisms.

[Yates Buckley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite a useful introductory text also because microbiology is so poorly covered by other texts.

[Ayla · Rating 4 out of 5]

good book for learning about microbiology. I learned some very interesting facts and was blown away on how bacteria and viruses have evolved mechanisms for survival. great book if you are interested in the medical field and biotechnology.

[Leah · Rating 1 out of 5]

So many typos and instances of terrible grammar! I can't believe this is a college textbook!

[Carrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good textbook with excellent illustrations.