Discover Biology: Core Topics

Ideal for nonmajors, Discover Biology is renowned for its inviting presentation and accessible coverage of biology fundamentals.

This introduction develops scientific literacy with clear, lively prose, compelling real-world applications, and unique features that help students understand the relevance of biology in their lives. The Third Edition has been carefully revised for clarity and ease of use, with helpful new pedagogy, an expansion of the text’s vibrant art program, and a new chapter organization. The Third Edition also features unique, fully integrated multimedia resources for students and instructors.

This flexible text is available in formats to suit every classroom. The Full Edition includes seven units, while the Core Topics Edition omits the chapters on animal and plant physiology. Custom print versions of the Core Topics Edition are available for instructors who wish to teach selected chapters from the animal and plant physiology units. In addition, a customizable eBook allows students to order either the full text or individual chapters.

Michael L. Cain taught introductory biology and a broad range of other biology courses at New Mexico State University and Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology for thirteen years. He is now writing full time and is affiliated with Bowdoin College in Maine. Dr. Cain has published dozens of scientific articles on topics such as genetic variation in plants, insect foraging behavior, long-distance seed dispersal, and factors that promote speciation in crickets. Dr. Cain is the recipient of numerous fellowships, grants, and awards, including the Pew Charitable Trust Teacher-Scholar Fellowship and research grants from the National Science Foundation.

Robert Lue received his Ph.D. in molecular and cellular biology from Harvard University, where he has taught introductory biology since 1988. He is currently the Dean of the Summer School and the Director of Undergraduate Studies in the Biological Sciences at Harvard.


Carol Kaesuk Yoon received her Ph.D. PhD in ecology and evolutionary biology from Cornell University and has been writing about biology for The New York Times since 1992. Her articles have also appeared in Science, The Washington Post, and the Los Angeles Times. Dr. Yoon has taught writing as a Visiting Scholar at Cornell University’s John S. Knight Writing Program, working with professors to help teach critical thinking in biology classes. She has also served as a science education consultant to Microsoft. She lives in Bellingham, Washington.