Practical Skills in Biology - Softcover

Jones, Dr Allan; Reed, Prof Rob; Weyers, Dr Jonathan

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0131755099 ISBN 13: 9780131755093

Publisher: Benjamin Cummings, 2007

Synopsis

Practical Skills in Biology is an indispensable book for undergraduate students in the life sciences. The book provides useful support at all stages of a degree course and underpins any practical course in biology. It is also a valuable resource for teachers of biology in colleges and secondary schools. Laboratory and field studies are essential components of undergraduate training in biology. Practical work must be fully understood and effectively presented, but many students under-perform because they lack basic laboratory skills. This book, now in its fourth edition, continues to provide students with easy-to-use guidance for laboratory and field studies, but in addition it now covers broader transferable skills. As a result the new edition provides guidance and support over the entire range of a typical undergraduate course in biology.

About this title

From the Back Cover

“This excellent book is a must for all biology departments...tells you all you ever wanted to know about practical techniques but didn’t like to ask”

Journal of Biological Education

“There is something here for everyone, including advanced level students and teachers”

The Biologist

“A well-pitched and comprehensive guide for all life science undergraduate students; in many cases this could be the most important book that they will buy.”

 Dr. Chris Bax, London Metropolitan University

 

If you are studying Biology then this book is an indispensable companion throughout your entire degree programme. It lucidly demonstrates the laboratory and field skills that you will draw on time and again for the practical aspects of your studies, and also gives you a solid grounding in those wider transferable skills which are increasingly necessary to achieve a higher level of academic success.

This fourth edition builds on the excellent foundation of its predecessors. It contains a fully updated examination of existing topics and covers even more core skills, including:

• ELISA assays

• Digital imaging

• Sterile technique for eukaroyte cell culture

• Real-time PCR

• Bioethics

• Personal development planning

• Curriculum choices

• Learning styles

• Avoiding plagiarism

• E-learning

• Thinking processes

• Using software to enhance graph/table drawing, statistical analysis and presentations

 

Key Features:

• New ‘safety note’ feature, highlighting specific hazards and appropriate practical steps to minimise risk

• Worked examples and ‘how to’ boxes that set out the essential procedures in a step-by-step manner

• Key points highlighting critical features of methodology

• Study exercises in each chapter to reinforce learning
• Use of margin tips, definitions and illustrations throughout

Allan Jones is Senior Lecturer in in Biology and Life Sciences at the University of Dundee; Rob Reed is Professor of Biomedical Sciences at Central Queensland University; Jonathan Weyers is Director of Quality Assurance at the University of Dundee.

Edition details

• Publisher: Benjamin Cummings
• Publication date: 2007
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0131755099
• ISBN 13: 9780131755093
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 4
• Number of pages: 496