Product Description

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.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #42838 in Books
• Published on: 2007-06-28
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 496 pages

From the Author
A generic skills book intended for university students
This book does not provide menus for particular practical exercises but attempts to provide students with guidance on general aspects of key techniques and how to make decisions and plan a variety of activities relating to typical skills required in practical aspects of biology. The skills included are international in their application although the terminology uned throughout is that of UK courses, etc. The book is now in its second edition and has a companion volume, namely "Practical Skills in Biomolecular Sciences": a further volume, "Practical Skills in Environmental Science" is in preparation by Dr Jones and co-authors

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.

Customer Reviews

Just what the doc ordered!
This is a much-needed text for biology undergraduates. It includes detailed information on a wide range of techniques commonly used in biology. It has been invaluable to me during my first year biology course at university. The book would also be beneficial to A-level students e.g. when working on projects. Overall well worth the money as you would refer to it for years to come!

Very useful book
This book if fantastic, all informations about formal report writing and theses. Latest techniques. It is excellent for biology students.

A Student's View
This book is very useful for writing practical reports and field work reports. As well as writing essays for those who don't have much experience in essay writing. This text has helped me on many occassions to write reports and essays successfully. I highly reccommed it to anyone studing any form of Biology degree.