Practical Skills in Biology

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 third 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.

Practical Skills in Biology

"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

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 third 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.

• A new section at the front of the book on Study and Examination skills, including new chapters on time management, working with others, note taking, revising, assessment and exams, and preparing a cv.
• New chapters on fieldwork and on the preparation and use of calibration curves.
• Up-dated material on the use of the Internet and World Wide Web.
• New material on evaluating information - a vital skill for today’s students.
• New material in the numeracy and statistics chapters to provide greater support and guidance.
• Every chapter has study exercises to reinforce learning with problems and practical exercises. Answers are given at the back of the book for all exercises.
• Every chapter is supported by a section giving printed and electronic sources for further study.

• 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.
• Use of margin tips, definitions and illustrations.
• Use of two-colour text throughout the book.

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.