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Overview
Say goodbye to dry presentations, grueling formulas, and abstract theory that would put Einstein to sleep—now there's an easier way to master chemistry, biology, trigonometry, and geometry. McGraw-Hill's Demystified Series teaches complex subjects in a unique, easy-to-absorb manner and is designed for users without formal training, unlimited time, or genius IQs.
Organized like self-teaching guides, they come complete with key points, background information, questions at the end of each chapter, and final exams. There's no better way to gain instant expertise!
ABOUT BIOLOGY DEMYSTIFIED:
* A college biology professor presents the fundamental facts, concepts, and principles of biology in an attractive and amusing framework
* Great for anyone with an interest in biology, biotechnology, medicine, or the environment
* Coverage includes both the anatomy and physiology of organisms as well as ecology and environmental relationships between organisms
* Includes a pronunciation guide for difficult biological terms
Synopsis
UNDERSTAND BIOLOGY — WITHOUT DISSECTING ANYTHING!
If you’re years removed from your last high school biology class — or if you’re just starting out as a student — here’s a fast, effective and entertaining way to learn the fundamental facts and concepts of biology.
Written in straightforward, easy-to-grasp language, Biology Demystified will help you understand basic and applied scientific information. As a result, you’ll gain "instant expertise" in biology — even if you’ve had no previous formal training in the sciences. The author, an experienced biology professor, uses a host of clever techniques to help you soak up what you really need to know, including:
* Presenting "big picture" principles first — followed by the details
* More than 150 illustrations for solid grounding in basic life sciences
* "Biological Order vs. Disorder" icons for easy category recognition
* A pronunciation guide for difficult biology terms
* Frequent self-testing and reviews to help you retain information
* The original Latin/Greek meanings of many biological terms with entertaining and informative illustrations
* And much, much more!
So if you’re looking for a deeper understanding of the world around you, let Biology Demystified be your shortcut!
Dr. Dale Layman (Joliet, IL) is a Professor of Biology and Human Anatomy & Physiology at Joliet Junior College. A resident of Joliet, Illinois, Dr. Layman is a frequent author with many international honors and awards. He has more than 28 years of experience in the field of biological sciences.
Library Journal
The new "Self-Teaching Guide" series from McGraw-Hill targets home-schooled students and career changers needing to brush up on science. Following earlier entries on physics, astronomy, and various mathematical topics, these latest are relatively readable but leave much to desired. Layman (biology, Joliet Junior Coll.) skimps on evolution, botany, and heredity and leans heavily toward etymology; one could score well on his tests by studying Latin and Greek instead of reading the text. Williams, a former technical writer, does not spend enough time on physical chemistry and electrochemistry. She exhibits a marked fondness for chemical history and foreign-language chemical terms-topics not generally given much weight in introductory chemistry courses. A glossary and additional practice problems would have been useful additions here. Both books offer idiosyncratic tests for self-assessment; both also lack thorough proofreading. Biology, for example, states that "modern land plants are the ancestors of primitive green algae," while Chemistry promises but omits an inside cover periodic table and describes bleach as a sodium hydroxide solution when it is a sodium hypochlorite solution. Biology's index is atrocious-incorrect page references and poor cross references abound-and Chemistry's needs improvement, too. Public and school libraries should instead consider other readable guides such as Donna Rae Siegfried's Biology for DummiesR or Ian Guch's The Complete Idiot's Guide to Chemistry, but they should also be checked for errors and gaps in coverage. Note also that John T. Moore's Chemistry for DummiesR lacks practice problems, and none of these titles includes tests. Academic libraries should purchase the companion study guides published for many introductory textbooks. Not recommended.-Nancy R. Curtis, Univ. of Maine Lib., Orono Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.