Biology: Science for Life

For non-majors biology courses

Engage students in science with stories that relate to their lives

Biology: Science for Life weaves a compelling storyline throughout each chapter to grab student attention through the exploration of high-interest topics such as genetic testing, global warming, and the Zika virus. The authors return to the storyline again and again, using it as the basis on which they introduce the biological concepts behind each story.

In the 6th Edition, new active learning features and author-created resources help instructors implement the storyline approach in their course. The Big Question is a new feature that helps students learn how to use data to determine what science can answer while developing their ability to critically evaluate information.

Also available with Mastering Biology or as an easy-to-use, standalone Pearson eText

Mastering^TM is the teaching and learning platform that empowers you to reach every student. By combining trusted author content with digital tools developed to engage students and emulate the office-hour experience, Mastering personalizes learning and often improves results for each student. New to the 6th edition are author-created Figure Walkthrough videos that guide students to solidify their understanding of the concepts within challenging illustrations as well as Make the Connection activities that help students bridge the gap between each storyline and the science behind it, as well as Ready-to-Go Teaching Modules for select chapters that provide instructors with assignments to use before and after class, as well as in-class activities.

Pearson eText allows educators to easily share their own notes with students so they see the connection between their reading and what they learn in class–motivating them to keep reading, and keep learning. Portable access lets students study on the go, even offline. And, reading analytics offer insight into how students use the eText, helping educators tailor their instruction.

Note: You are purchasing a standalone product; Mastering Biology and Pearson eText do not come packaged with this content. Students, if interested in purchasing this title with Mastering Biology or Pearson eText, ask your instructor for the correct package ISBN and Course ID. Instructors, contact your Pearson representative for more information.

If you would like to purchase both the physical text and Mastering Biology, search for:

0134814967 / 9780134814964 Biology: Science for Life Plus Mastering Biology with Pearson eText -- Access Card Package

Package consists of:

• 0134787056 / 9780134787053 Mastering Biology with Pearson eText -- ValuePack Access Card -- for Biology: Science for Life
  
• 0134675479 / 9780134675473 Biology: Science for Life

If you would like to purchase the standalone Pearson eText, search for:

• 0135214076 / 9780135214077 Pearson eText Biology: Science for Life -- Access Card
  

• 0135214084 / 9780135214084 Pearson eText Biology: Science for Life -- Instant Access

About our authors

Colleen Belk and Virginia Borden Maier collaborated on teaching biology to nonmajors for over a decade at the University of Minnesota, Duluth. This collaboration has continued for an additional decade through Virginia's move to St. John Fisher College in Rochester, New York, and has been enhanced by their differing but complementary areas of expertise. In addition to the nonmajors course, Colleen Belk teaches general biology for majors, genetics, cell biology, and molecular biology courses. Virginia Borden Maier teaches general biology for majors, evolutionary biology, zoology, plant biology, ecology, and conservation biology courses.

After several somewhat painful attempts at teaching the breadth of biology to non-majors in a single semester, the two authors came to the conclusion that they needed to find a better way. They realized that their students were more engaged when they understood how biology directly affected their lives. Colleen and Virginia began to structure their lectures around stories they knew would interest students. When they began letting the story drive the science, they immediately noticed a difference in student engagement and willingness to work harder at learning biology. Not only has this approach increased student understanding, but it has also increased the authors' enjoyment in teaching the course--presenting students with fascinating stories infused with biological concepts is simply a lot more fun.