BASIC TEXTS for Fall 2010

Last updated: Thursday, August 11, 2011 02:46 PM

Biology C2005/F2401

Textbook List Fall 2011

This page is been updated to give the latest editions of the texts. The biggest change to keep in mind is that there is a new edition of Becker, the 8th, since fall 2010.

BASIC TEXTS
The first two books should be available at the CU Bookstore. You need not necessarily buy texts 1 and 2; it depends on your background and your learning style. Alternative free online sources are available. Everything you need to know for exams will be covered in the lectures; you will not be held responsible for any material in these texts that is not covered in lecture (i.e., that is found solely in the texts). You absolutely must buy book #3.

The two text books can also be purchased online, or rented for a term or year. They are available in paper and electronic versions. We are still researching the options for electronic or rental versions. Details will be posted. For the electronic version of Sadava, 9th ed, go to http://ebooks.bfwpub.com/life9e.php. (If you only want the relevant chapters, not the whole thing, hold off, and we will tell you which ones to pay for.) For the 8th ed, go to http://ebooks.bfwpub.com/life8e.php

The Problem Book is available in only in paper, and only from the copy shop (see below).

1. Becker's World of the Cell, 8th ed., by Hardin et al, Benjamin Cummings, 2010. (Becker himself has retired.) We will cover more than half of the book (see Reading List). This book is very strong on biochemistry but weak on genetics and has no evolution at all. The 7th edition is not as up to date, but will be okay if you want to save money, as it can be had at Amazon for relatively little. If you already have another recent cell biology book, you don't need to get Becker's. There are several cell biology books available online as part of the PubMed bookshelf. However, topics online are apparently accessible only by searching, i.e., no browsing. Keep in mind that Becker will also be used similarly in the second semester of Intro Bio, Biol. C2006.

2. Sadava, et al, Life: The Science of Biology, 9th edition, 2011. (The 8th Edition is Sadava, et al, 2008. In the older editions of this text, Purves is the first author.) This book supplies the topics missing in Becker -- basic genetics and evolution for this term; physiology and development for next term. If you have any other recent comprehensive college biology text, such as Campbell, or Gould & Keeton , or Freeman, or the 7th or 8th edition of Sadava/Purves, then you don't need to buy a new intro bio text -- any current college biology text will cover the same material. Just use the index to find what you need. If you are short on cash, the older editions of Sadava/Purves can be had online for just a few dollars. See Kimball's Biology Pages if you prefer to use an online basic bio text. Again, topics online are apparently accessible only by searching, i.e., no browsing. Savada will also be used in the second semester of Intro Bio, Biol. C2006/F2402.

3. Mowshowitz, Problems in Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology, 19th edition, re-revised (2011). The 19th edition (revised or not), the18th edition (original or revised ) & the 17th edition (original or revised) are very similar. This book, also known as "the problem book" contains study questions and problems from old exams; it also contains brief answers to the questions. This book will be available from the Village Copier on Broadway near 112th St. You are urged to get this book and start doing the problems regularly as soon as the term starts. (Do not try to do the problems before lecture -- wait until after the corresponding lecture, and you have reviewed your notes.) We strongly recommend using the most recent edition. If you have an older edition, click here.

SUPPLEMENTARY TEXTS

The two textbooks cover most of the material in the lectures, but you may want to consult more advanced texts (print or online) occasionally for details on specific topics. Almost any standard biochemistry, cell biology or genetics text will do the job. A list of recommended texts and online resources will be posted. Many good books are available online as part of the PubMed bookshelf (most relevant are books by the following first authors: Berg, Cooper, Strachan, Griffiths, Alberts, Lodish). Many former students have recommended especially Biochemistry by Stryer (or Berg et al. in later editions) and The Molecular Biology of the Cell by Alberts et al.