Microbiology: An Introduction, Eighth Edition [Hardcover]

Gerard J. Tortora (Author), Berdell R. Funke (Author), Christine L. Case (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0805376143 | ISBN-13: 978-0805376142 | Publication Date: May 9, 2003 | Edition: 8

With every new edition, the No. 1 best-selling non-majors microbiology book wins over readers with its careful balance of concepts and applications, art that teaches, and its straightforward presentation of complex topics. For Microbiology: An Introduction, Eighth Edition, this successful formula has been refined with hundreds of research and disease updates, updated morbidity data, and an enhanced Mircobiology Place Website and CD-ROM. For college instructors, students, or anyone interested in microbiology.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

With every new edition, the No. 1 best-selling non-majors microbiology book wins over readers with its careful balance of concepts and applications, art that teaches, and its straightforward presentation of complex topics. For Microbiology: An Introduction, Eighth Edition, this successful formula has been refined with hundreds of research and disease updates, updated morbidity data, and an enhanced Mircobiology Place Website and CD-ROM. For college instructors, students, or anyone interested in microbiology.

About the Author

Gerard J. Tortora is a professor of biology and teaches microbiology, human anatomy, and physiology at Bergen Community College in Paramus, New Jersey. He received his M.A. in Biology from Montclair State College in 1965. He belongs to numerous biology/microbiology organizations, such as the American Society of Microbiology (ASM), Human Anatomy and Physiology Society (HAPS), American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), National Education Association (NEA), New Jersey Educational Association (NJEA), and the Metropolitan Association of College and University Biologists (MACUB). Jerry is the author of a number of biological science textbooks. In 1995, he was selected as one of the finest faculty scholars at Bergen Community College and was named Distinguished Faculty Scholar. In 1996, Jerry received a National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development (NISOD) excellence award from the University of Texas and was selected to represent Bergen Community College in a campaign to increase awareness of the contributions of community colleges to higher education.

Berdell R. Funke received his Ph.D., M.S., and B.S. in microbiology from Kansas State University. He has spent his professional years as a professor of microbiology at North Dakota State University. He taught introductory microbiology, including laboratory sections, general microbiology, food microbiology, soil microbiology, clinical parasitology, and pathogenic microbiology. As a research scientist in the Experiment Station at North Dakota State, he has published numerous papers on soil microbiology and food microbiology.

Christine L. Case is a registered microbiologist and a professor of microbiology at Skyline College in San Bruno, California, where she has taught for the past 32 years. She received her Ed. D. in curriculum and instruction from Nova Southeastern University and her M.A. in microbiology from San Francisco State University. She was Director for the Society for Industrial Microbiology (SIM). She received the ASM and California Hayward outstanding educator awards. In addition to teaching, Chris contributes regularly to professional literature, develops innovative educational methodologies, and maintains a personal and professional commitment to conservation and the importance of science in society. Chris is also an avid photographer, and many of her photographs appear in this book.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 944 pages
• Publisher: Benjamin Cummings; 8 edition (May 9, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0805376143
• ISBN-13: 978-0805376142
• Product Dimensions: 11.4 x 8.5 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #166,733 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars A lot of information....disorganized, April 3, 2006

By 

mdelbruck123 "max" (MD United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Microbiology: An Introduction, Eighth Edition (Hardcover)

I taught a basic undergraduate microbiology class using this text book. The students were mostly pre-nursing so we had a clinical focus. My main problem with the text is it is trying to be all things to all people. It tries to present too much information that is scattered all over the text. Frequently, within chapters, students have to jump back and forth to material presented in other chapters and it simply becomes information overload. In addition, some of the study question, especially the clinically oriented ones, ask the students about areas that haven't been adequately covered in the text or assume knowledge that they don't have as yet. Finally, beware the Powerpoint slide presentations. These are also full of errors and need pretty extensive editing.

31 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars not much help, August 11, 2005

By 

Mandy (CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Microbiology: An Introduction, Eighth Edition (Hardcover)

As another reviewer stated, subjects were scattered all over book. Constant referrals to other chapters and sections. If you choose to do the review questions in back of book, you won't find the answers unless you go on-line, very annoying as I don't like to study in front of a computer. Lastly in other science textbooks there are often mid-chapter review questions to help you learn - this had none of that. Book was useless, learned more from instructor's outlines.

36 of 42 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars NOT a keeper, April 29, 2004

By 

hana jacobs "nursing-usa" (NH, United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Microbiology: An Introduction, Eighth Edition (Hardcover)

We used this book in our Microbiology class (community college-pre nursing). Everyone, including me, disliked this book. We usually keep all our books for future use, but concensus was to get rid of this one. We have found the topics to be scattered all over the book and not organized well. DNA replication information was not clearly explained...In fact I found most of the topics to be better explained in "Biology" by Cambell-Reece-Mitchell. I usually read all my books. This class, I used the web for DNA replication and bacteria caused diseases, and biology book for the rest. One good thing came out of this. It forced me to use the web, and it is a great resource for Micro.