BSCS Biology, Student Edition: A Molecular Approach [Hardcover]

McGraw-Hill (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0538690399 | ISBN-13: 978-0538690393 | Publication Date: August 9, 2000 | Edition: 1

Biological Science: a Molecular Approach (BSCS Blue Version), prepares honors or gifted students for the biology of the future by challenging them to think scientifically, to integrate concepts, to analyze data and to explore complex issues. Inquiry-based learning, a molecular perspective on the major concepts in biology and a focus on the nature and methods of science have been mainstays of the Blue Version since the first edition was released in 1963. The eighth edition incorporates new perspectives and understandings across major subdisciplines of biology such as genetics, cell biology, development, systematics, behavior, immunology and evolution–the central organizing theme of biology. As with BSCS's other biology programs, Blue Version provides an alternative to the presentation of vocabulary and isolated facts by using inquiry to present biology as an experimental science. Blue Version also recognizes the role that biology will play in the lives of students, who need an understanding of the possibilities and limitations of biological technology as they make decisions about everything from food products to medical care. By presenting science as a way of exploring the drama and beauty of the living world, students come to use scientific inquiry as a means to investigate the biological bases of problems in medicine, agriculture and conservation, which will provide a context in which students can appreciate the relationship of biology to personal and societal issues. Blue Version begins with a focus on the content of biology at the level of organization of molecules. The threads of molecular biology and the theory of evolution by natural selection tie together the chapters as the emphasis changes gradually from molecules to cells, individuals, populations, and finally to the biosphere. Seven unifying principles serve as a framework for conceptual biology

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Hardcover: 848 pages
• Publisher: Glencoe/McGraw-Hill; 1 edition (August 9, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0538690399
• ISBN-13: 978-0538690393
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 8.3 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #400,506 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Terrible Text, December 31, 2010

By 

Michael C. - See all my reviews

This review is from: BSCS Biology, Student Edition: A Molecular Approach (Hardcover)

Biology doesn't have to be this hard.

On a basic level, this book does its job. It covers the material it should, has some decent diagrams, and some nice evaluation questions sprinkled throughout. Beyond that, though, this is perhaps the worst textbook I have ever used.

First off, this textbook is nearly incomprehensible. The content is presented in a way that's extremely difficult to understand. Organization and structure at the chapter, paragraph, and even sentence level makes no logical sense and makes the book particularly difficult to read. The book takes six sentences to cover something that can be explained in one, and it mentions in just one sentence something that would take a page to make clear. The authors try to get around this by labeling this as a book for "gifted or honors students," but they don't seem to understand that they should be covering more difficult material, not making the basic material more difficult to grasp.

Next, the authors have no visible passion or interest in biology. I'm not expecting exclamation marks throughout to show their excitement or a nice story with a rising action, climax, and falling action, but some sign of life from the authors would be nice. It sounds silly, but when you pick up this book, it will be painfully obvious that the authors are completely uninspired. They were bored writing this book, and it shows (unlike in any other textbook I've used).

This is truly a terrible biology textbook, and it killed any interest I may have once had in biology. It's a bit ironic that a book covering the study of life can be so lifeless.

Unfortunately, when this book is used for a class, it's usually a required purchase for students. I would highly recommend purchasing another biology book as well so that you can actually learn the material. You won't regret it.

4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars The worst textbook I've ever encountered, February 25, 2007

By 

Bret Abel (Ann Arbor, MI) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: BSCS Biology, Student Edition: A Molecular Approach (Hardcover)

I'm a sophomore at the University of Michigan that has taken introductory biology courses both in high school and in college. Recently I helped my high school freshman niece with her biology reading from this textbook. I can't believe such a poorly-written book is being used in classrooms.

The book is poorly organized, even within individual paragraphs. Some sections seem as if a coherent paragraph was written, then someone randomly copied and pasted groups of sentences around until the text became as confusing as possible. Complicated concepts are confusingly presented without adequate explanation. Arcane details are given more attention than the overall concepts. There were many sections where I'd have to reread the text multiple times before I finally grasped what the authors were attempting to convey.

I think it's pathetic that anybody should be introduced to biology with a book this confusing and frustrating. Biology is NOT this confusing, and it's certainly more interesting than the authors make it out to be. This book isn't just useless; it's counterintuitive.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Not a great textbook, December 12, 2008

By 

Janlynn (Sussex, WI United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: BSCS Biology, Student Edition: A Molecular Approach (Hardcover)

My son had to purchase this book as it was required for school. It had some bad reviews on Amazon, but what can you do? He was required to have it. He tells me the reviewers were correct, this is a bad textbook and students should supplement their study with other Biology books, as we have. Don't buy this unless you have to!