Digital library
Textbooks, references and open learning resources.
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Conservation Biology in Sub-Saharan Africa
John Wilson; Richard Primack · Open Book Publishers · 2019
Conservation Biology in Sub-Saharan Africa comprehensively explores the challenges and potential solutions to key conservation issues in Sub-Saharan Africa. Easy to read, this lucid and accessible textbook includes fifteen chapters that cover a full range of conservation topics, including threats to biodiversity, environmental laws, and protected areas management, as well as related topics such as sustainability, poverty, and human-wildlife conflict. This rich resource also includes a background discussion of what conservation biology is, a wide range of theoretical approaches to the subject, and concrete examples of conservation practice in specific African contexts. Strategies are outlined to protect biodiversity whilst promoting economic development in the region.
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Quantitative Ecology: A New Unified Approach
Clarence Lehman; Shelby Loberg; Adam Clark · University of Minnesota Libraries Publishing · 2019
Quantitative Ecology introduces and discusses the principles of ecology from populations to ecosystems including human populations, disease, exotic organisms, habitat fragmentation, biodiversity and global dynamics. The book also reformulates and unifies ecological equations making them more accessible to the reader and easier to teach.
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Unfolding the Mystery of Life, Biology Lab Manual for Non-Science Majors
Ellen Genovesi; Laura Blinderman; Patrick Natale · Ellen Genovesi, Laura Blinderman and Patrick Natale · 2019
This laboratory manual is intended for use in a biology laboratory course taken by non-science majors, pre-biology, and pre-allied health majors. Laboratory exercises provide students with experience in basic laboratory skills, gathering and organizing data, measuring and calculating, hypothesis testing, analysis of data, writing, and laboratory safety. The skill sets are designed to promote the development of critical thought and analysis. Students work with living and preserved specimens, and laboratory reagents and equipment.
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An Introduction to Nutrition
Independent · 2012
Welcome to Essentials of Nutrition: A Functional Approach! This book is written for students who are not majoring in nutrition, but want to learn about the fundamental aspects of nutrition and how it applies to their own lives. We have written this book with the assumption that you have little or no prior knowledge of college level chemistry, biology, or physiology. But that does not mean it’s not scientific! Nutrition is a science-based discipline, so all the material included is backed up by rigorous scientific research, but it is presented in a clear, easy-to-understand fashion without requiring a background in science.
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Phylogenetic Comparative Methods
Luke Harmon · Luke J. Harmon · 2019
This is a book about Phylogenetic Comparative Methods by Luke J. Harmon.
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Environmental Biology
Matthew Fisher · Open Oregon Educational Resources · 2018
This open textbook covers the most salient environmental issues, from a biological perspective. The text is designed for an introductory-level college science course. Topics include the fundamentals of ecology, biodiversity, pollution, climate change, food production, and human population growth.
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Health Education
College of the Canyons · College of the Canyons · 2018
Readers will learn about the nature of health, health education, health promotion and related concepts. This will help to understand the social, psychological and physical components of health.
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General Chemistry 3e: OER for Inclusive Learning
Nicole Bouvier-Brown; Saori Shiraki; J. Hunt; Emily Jarvis · Loyola Marymount University · 2026
General Chemistry 3e: OER for Inclusive Learning supports students in developing conceptual understanding and quantitative problem-solving skills across the core topics of a two-semester general chemistry course. The text combines clear explanations with scaffolded practice and interactive, formative H5P exercises that allow students to test their understanding, receive immediate feedback, and build confidence over time. Real-world applications, including sustainability and green chemistry, help connect chemical principles to contemporary scientific and societal contexts.
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Introduction to Environmental Studies
Bridgitte Barclay · Aurora University · 2026
The interdisciplinary study of environmental issues that engages with humanities, sciences, and policies.
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Introduction to Epigenetics
Renato Paro; Ueli Grossniklaus; Raffaella Santoro; Anton Wutz · Springer · 2021
This open access textbook leads the reader from basic concepts of chromatin structure and function and RNA mechanisms to the understanding of epigenetics, imprinting, regeneration and reprogramming. The textbook treats epigenetic phenomena in animals, as well as plants. Written by four internationally known experts and senior lecturers in this field, it provides a valuable tool for Master- and PhD- students who need to comprehend the principles of epigenetics, or wish to gain a deeper knowledge in this field. After reading this book, the student will: Have an understanding of the basic toolbox of epigenetic regulation Know how genetic and epigenetic information layers are interconnected Be able to explain complex epigenetic phenomena by understanding the structures and principles of the underlying molecular mechanisms Understand how misregulated epigenetic mechanisms can lead to disease
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A Natural History of the Anthropocene
John Lambrinos · Oregon State University · 2024
Organized into three sections, this book—an introduction to our planet—is written in the spirt of a natural history guide. The prologue includes a chapter that outlines the basic concept of biodiversity. How we are changing biodiversity is a theme that runs through the book. The second section contains several chapters that explore the natural history of our now human-dominated world. The last section explores our changing relationship with nature.
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Sustainable Marine Futures
Patricia Corbett · Deakin University · 2026
This interactive, open-access textbook explores how ocean science, sustainability, policy and community intersect to address key marine challenges, from climate change to food security. It integrates global, national and local Australian perspectives, using multimedia and interactive learning to build ocean literacy and support a sustainable Blue Economy.
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CHM 151: Chemistry Around Us
Erin Avram · LibreTexts · 2026
Chemistry Around Us is a chemistry course designed for non-majors to explore the basics of chemistry and how it relates to the world around us, particularly in the context of climate change, water chemistry and nuclear chemistry.
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Virology Lab Exercises for Undergraduates
Eric Ryndock · The Pennsylvania Alliance for Design of Open Textbooks (PA-ADOPT) · 2026
This laboratory manual presents a novel series of undergraduate-friendly experiments designed to provide students with a safe, accessible, and comprehensive introduction to virology. The manual is intended for students who already possess foundational knowledge in cell biology, genetics, and molecular biology, and it emphasizes hands-on learning through diverse experimental approaches. Unlike many existing virology laboratory manuals that depend on costly infrastructure such as mammalian cell culture facilities or focus narrowly on a single viral system, this manual was developed specifically for primary undergraduate teaching institutions. The experiments utilize readily available equipment while exposing students to representative viruses that infect bacteria, plants, and animals. Through these investigations, students gain practical experience with modern virological techniques and develop transferable, employable skills relevant to biotechnology, research, and related industries. Collectively, the laboratory exercises aim to strengthen conceptual understanding of viral biology, promote technical competency, and inspire student curiosity about viruses as dynamic and influential biological entities.
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Evaluating Renal Function in Humans
Louise Robson · University of Sheffield · 2026
This is an intermediate level book aimed at undergraduate and graduate students following human biology programmes who have a basic understanding of renal physiology. It covers the clearance technique, and how it can be used to evaluate renal function in humans. It goes through the different calculations, before giving you an opportunity to have a go at some calculations using real data. It finishes by evaluating the values from a clearance experiment, where the effect of the drug ACTZ was investigated.
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Plant Molecular Genetics and Bioengineering
Walter Suza; Faizo Kasule; Philip Becraft; Thomas Lübberstedt · Iowa State University Digital Press · 2026
This edited book presents an overview of the fundamental principles and applied methodologies used in the genetic improvement of crop plants. It covers the structure and function of genes controlling traits of agronomic importance, the regulation of gene expression and genetic pathways, and the role of mutations as a primary source of genetic variation underlying trait improvement. Additional topics include an introduction to molecular markers, recombinant DNA technology, plant transformation, and gene editing technologies. Learning activities are included to facilitate self-study.
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Physical Chemistry
Yingbin Ge · Central Washington University · 2026
This Physical Chemistry textbook by Yingbin Ge is an open-access resource meticulously crafted for undergraduate students in chemistry, biochemistry, and related STEM fields. The text strikes a precise balance between conceptual clarity and mathematical rigor, ensuring students build a deep understanding of thermodynamics, kinetics, quantum chemistry, and statistical mechanics. What sets this text apart is its student-centered pedagogy. Rather than focusing on formalism alone, Ge guides learners through step-by-step derivations that prioritize physical meaning. By explicitly addressing common misconceptions and integrating worked examples, the book transforms complex theory into manageable insights. Its modular structure offers instructors the flexibility to adapt the material to various course sequences, while the accompanying suite of lecture and tutorial videos makes it a comprehensive, accessible solution for the modern classroom.
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General Biology Laboratory Booklet
Martilias Farrell · The Pennsylvania Alliance for Design of Open Textbooks (PA-ADOPT) · 2025
This laboratory manual provides a diverse collection of experiments designed to immerse students in techniques mirroring those used in professional biomedical research. Students will explore fundamental enzyme kinetics, investigating how varying amylase concentrations and the introduction of chemical modifiers influence starch digestion rates. These labs emphasize quantitative analysis through colorimetric assays and densitometry using ImageJ software. The booklet also features studies with planaria, where students will assess how common substances affect locomotor activity and screen compounds for their impact on the remarkable regenerative abilities of these organisms, including generating concentration-effect curves. Additional activities guide students in using microscopy to observe microscopic life. Throughout these hands-on investigations, students will develop and refine crucial laboratory skills such as preparing serial dilutions, mastering precise pipetting techniques, and maintaining detailed, reproducible laboratory notebooks, thereby building a robust foundation in experimental design, data analysis, and the scientific method.
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Developmental Biology Laboratory: Experiments in Classical and Experimental Embryology
Judith Cebra-Thomas; Matthew Smith · The Pennsylvania Alliance for Design of Open Textbooks (PA-ADOPT) · 2025
This work is designed primarily for use as a laboratory manual in college-level Embryology and Developmental Biology courses and as a companion to developmental biology textbooks. It explores several model animal systems and a variety of the scientific approaches that have been used to study them. It includes both classical embryological observations and manipulations, and more modern techniques, including organ culture and the disruption of developmental processes through pharmacology. The experiments described in the lab manual are designed for 2- to 3-hour laboratory periods. The introductory protocols in each chapter can be adapted to Introductory Biology or Cell Biology courses, while the later protocols are more suited to an advanced course in Developmental Biology. The manual also includes extensive illustrations, preparation guides and appendices to aid the instructor in setting up each lab.
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Mycology Laboratory Manual
Laura Ramos-Sepulveda · The Pennsylvania Alliance for Design of Open Textbooks (PA-ADOPT) · 2025
Mycology Laboratory Manual (2025) by Laura Ramos-Sepulveda is an eTextbook designed for undergraduate students to introduce them to mycology. The laboratory manual provides students with foundational knowledge in mycology and hands-on experience with key concepts such as fungal hyphal and yeast growth, asexual and sexual reproduction, fungal identification using morphological and molecular tools, appreciation of mushrooms as food, and molecular transformation of fungi. The final chapter focuses on plant pathology, where students are required to apply scientific thinking to design experiments, troubleshoot, and integrate the skills they developed in the previous chapters.