Introduction to Microbiology: A Case-History Study Approach (with CD-ROM and InfoTrac) (Available Titles Cengagenow Available Titles Cengagenow) [Hardcover]

John L. Ingraham (Author), Catherine A. Ingraham (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 14, 2003 | ISBN-10: 0534394655 | ISBN-13: 978-0534394653 | Edition: 3

Would you like to bring guest lectures like researchers, physicians, or fellow instructors into you microbiology course? With this third edition of INTRODUCTION TO MICROBIOLOGY you get the perspective of all of those three professionals. John Ingraham, a professor of microbiology at University of California at Davis, and Catherine Ingraham, his daughter and a practicing physician, utilize their experience within a case history approach complemented by a great technology package. Each chapter in INTRODUCTION TO MICROBIOLOGY now consistently begins with a case history, which John Ingraham has found very motivatonal to students who are new to the study of basic science. Because Catherine Ingraham studied to become a physician by interviewing patients, determining causes and implementing solutions, she knows mastry comes from high interest human stories rather than clinical presentations. Many of the case histories found in this book are taken from Catherine's experience as a physician. This combination of experiences and talent brings a case-based quality to every lecture and homework session. This unique author team also provides up-to-the-minute currency. Coverage of new microbial "events" such as biological warfare, studied by John and its effects prepared for in Catherine's office, keeps students interested. The authors also highlight reemerging diseases, such as tuberculoses and smallpox. As with previous editions, this book takes a "body systems" organization. Students are exposed to the unknown, the world of the microbes, through the known, and the different parts of their own bodies. And, because art is so important, there is again a multimedia manager with this title, but with more exciting capabilities than ever before. Instructors receive powerful PowerPoint slides for all the illustrations, tables and figures from the text, plus several animations are at your fingertips.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"I like the writing style of this text. It is almost conversational at times. I imagine that students find your text easy and pleasant to read."

"I love the pictures, overall they are beautiful..."

"The case studies are very interesting and I think the student will like them."

"I am very pleased with the authors' presentation of basic and applied microbiology for students preparing for careers in the health sciences. In particular, I like the emphasis on the purpose of microbial metabolism and the relationship between metabolism and genetics. There two topics are invariably the most difficult for students to grasp, and the author's presentation of these concepts is very clear and original. The logical progression from nutrient uptake to biosynthesis and polymerization places the information in a context that students can readily understand and assimilate."

"The writing style is lively and engaging without sacrificing an intelligent and informative tone. Concepts are presented in a clear and logical manner, which allows students to readily understand and process information as they read."

About the Author

John Ingraham was a professor of microbiology at UC Davis. He has taught microbiology at all levels, and says that the introductory course was always his favorite. He hopes to create the same fascination with the microbial world in his students that he discovered in the introductory course. John has co-authored several microbiology texts and a CD, and was elected president of the American Society for Microbiology in 1993.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 812 pages
• Publisher: Brooks Cole; 3 edition (April 14, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0534394655
• ISBN-13: 978-0534394653
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 9.1 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #331,928 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A good introduction, October 6, 2005

By 

M. Harrington "M.A. Harrington" (Walla Walla, WA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Introduction to Microbiology: A Case-History Study Approach (with CD-ROM and InfoTrac) (Available Titles Cengagenow Available Titles Cengagenow) (Hardcover)

This text gives pleanty of pictures and the cases studies help reinforce what the reader is learning in lecture and lab. I did not have to use the CD-Rom, but the lab book that goes with this text was a lot of fun.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A teacher's perspective, September 6, 2006

By 

I. Kaye "Healthcop" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Introduction to Microbiology: A Case-History Study Approach (with CD-ROM and InfoTrac) (Available Titles Cengagenow Available Titles Cengagenow) (Hardcover)

The textbook writing is simple but meanders enough to lose focus. The busy student could benefit from the many tables and figures, but somehow the link between text and graphics is lost in the voluminous chapters.The summaries are point like renditions of the text and do not highlight important material. Likewise the comprehensive self-test questions are not graded according to importance and carry no link back to the text.

Overall, a comprehensive textbook, but lacking the focus and layout for easy adoption and study.

3.0 out of 5 stars Good Introduction to Microbiology, October 3, 2011

By 

Lisa M - See all my reviews

This review is from: Introduction to Microbiology: A Case-History Study Approach (with CD-ROM and InfoTrac) (Available Titles Cengagenow Available Titles Cengagenow) (Hardcover)

This book is well written (apart from a few minor typo's). It uses a lot of real life examples to help you understand how useful some microorganisms are, as well as how harmful others can be. It starts right at the beginning and steadily introduces new topics that carry on logically from previous ones. It doesn't bombard you with a lot of new words all at once either.

The illustrations have been carefully thought out to make it easier to understand more complex processes. So, overall this is a good book for those who have not studied microbiology before. Although the book is written with the presumption that the reader does have some basic knowledge of biology. If you have not studied biology for a while though, don't worry all the important information necessary is also reviewed in the book.