Awesome Biology Textbook
'Biology, Understanding Life' is an extremely well organized text for basic college level biology. As a college biology instructor, I would strongly consider choosing this text for my non-majors and Introductory Biology majors.
The topics are organized and sequenced exactly as I would design my course. I am impressed with the focus and clarity of each informational segment.
The text is extremely thorough, including 'current' related news topics, with on-line video clips (text's web site). Chapter Guides provide key concepts and key questions to assist student focus & learning. Concept Checkpoints assure understanding of key points, while Visual Thinking Questions related to images, enhance understanding; a boost for visual learners.
Students can post content questions on the Wiley.com college book website, view animations, and short videos, etc.
The most 'out of the box' tools are the 'Levels of Understanding: 1 (facts & terms), 2 (Concepts), & 3 (Critical Thinking/Life Applications) in each Chapter Review. This is a 'wish-come-true' for educators. Connecting the dots and relevancy are always a goal for educators. This brings it home.
The appendix includes the following:
The correct Reponses/logic targeting all the questions in the chapters and Chapter Reviews;
Periodic Table of the Elements;
Reading a Scientific Journal Article;
Glossary & Index.
What I would like to see in a basic biology text, which is absent in Alter's 'Biology, Understanding Life' are Concept Maps for each content area with extensions/links. I would also prefer more exposure to fundamental ecological principles with an emphasis in urban environmental ecology & environmental health.
I have reviewed a lot of Biology textbooks for my courses, and I would choose this one without hesitation.
