"Our world is built on biology and once we begin to understand it, it then becomes a technology." -Ryan Bethencourt
Studying the subject of biology can open up a whole range of different options for a student. Yes, of course, you can progress to become a proper research scientist and go deeper into examining the natural; however, a person can also go on to achieve careers in medicine, psychology, and sport, to name a few.
Biology is an incredibly diverse and rewarding discipline. Nonetheless, as you know, biology is not the most straightforward academic discipline to be studied at school, and there's one crucial thing that you can't forget to do: revise, revise, and revise.
Whilst biology may offer fascinating employment possibilities, most of the careers in the field of biology demand a proven record of excellence. For instance, to study any degree related to medicine, a secondary school student must have the best grades in the class. And, excellent test results in high school don't even begin to explain the difficulties faced in biology degrees during university.
So, if a degree in medicine with a speciality in biology is what you want, you're going to need to get your biology books out and knuckle down.
But enough of the scary stuff. Part of revision should be to seek and cultivate the joy that your subject brings. Many past biology students have found that it's tough to get through a biology course or biology exam without enjoying it at least a little bit. So, look around you and think about all the things that biology does for you – in your genes and DNA and the growth of trees, plants, and animals.
Almost everything that we observe and think about is biological deep down.
Without further ado, in today's article, we will talk about the best books you can use to unlock the fascinating world of biological science – and rock your examination at the same time. Additionally, we'll discuss some of the most engaging biology textbooks, magazines, and some of the classics of scientific literature, which should give your revision the inspiration it needs.
Nonetheless, before starting, if books aren't your cup of tea (although, honestly, they should be), or you are looking for a diversity of resources to revise for your biology topics, we have articles on the best websites for biology revision, the best biology apps and podcasts, and a guide to general biology revision resources.
Now, let's get started and take a look at the books!
What are the Advantages of Studying Biology Using Books?
In the digital age that we live in, most Millennials and members of Gen Z have ditched the tangible books and are focusing all of their attention on PDFs, EPUB files, and everything else that is digital. It almost seems like a punishment and a waste of time to use a book with paper pages for some.
Nonetheless, although technology has made tremendous strides to make learning more inclusive for persons worldwide (you can learn anything with an internet connection), there are still many worthy advantages to using physical books. Such as?
Without further delay, the following are three brilliant benefits of using paper books, textbooks, and magazines when analysing biology:
- Flipping Pages Enhances Understanding: based on recent research conducted, flipping through pages is much better than scrolling through an e-book because it helps a person better comprehend the information in front of them. How's that? The feel of paper pages under your fingertips gives the brain context, which leads to a more comprehensive understanding of the material you are reading about.
- Fewer Distractions: since we use our technological devices to do everything from paying bills to socialising, when we are reading or studying a book on our phones, tablets, or computer, we become more distracted and likely to check our messages or social media feed. Therefore, by having only one printed book in front of you and your phone put away, you enjoy an uninterrupted learning session.
- An Immersive Experience: compared to e-books, a tangible textbook sets your brain up for studying and makes reading a more immersive experience. If you feel more involved, you are more likely to concentrate and associate positive memories with studying and reading books on topics such as biology.
We are optimistic that the previously mentioned benefits of studying using printed books will encourage you to spend a little less time staring at a screen.
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Classic Science Books to Help Your Biology Revision
Let's start with the exciting books, more like research findings and biographies, since we agree that a biology textbook is not the most compelling way to revise new information!
We have put together some of the most compelling, readable, and exciting biology books around, not to mention the most groundbreaking and influential.
Many students are a little scared of reading the works of actual scientists, as they have the impression of being a little intimidating and not understandable for everyday people who aren't surrounded by scientific matter all the time. Nonetheless, there are two reasons you shouldn't shy away from reading books from scientists:
- Firstly biology is not something that happens just in the classroom: it is something that many, many people are interested in, and it's happening all around us.
- Secondly, these writers are fun to read – something that textbooks often aren't.
So, without delaying the matter any further, let's take a look at four classic science books that deal with the subdiscipline of biology and some of its topics.
The Emperor of all Maladies, by Siddhartha Mukherjee
While not about the most encouraging subject, The Emperor of all Maladies is a profoundly humane "biography" about cancer. How does that relate to biology? Well, it's Mukherjee's examination of cancer, who is a cellular biologist, that is so precise and profound.
By studying how the body fights cancer, we develop an appreciation for our cells and how hard they work to keep us healthy and in tip-top shape.
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Behave by Robert Sapolsky
Known as the book of biology that examines humans at their best and worst behaviour, Robert Sapolsky's Behave is a physical examination of how we behave as individuals.
Genes and scientific matter that is related to the human brain and body are discussed in this book that has been hailed by many critics as a "must-read" for persons who are learning more about biology.
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Silent Spring, by Rachel Carson
Rachel Carson was a conservationist, marine biologist, and best-selling author whose work and activism brought environmentalism to the public conscience. If it weren't for this book, people would care a lot less about ecology, biodiversity, and the protection of the earth.
Published in 1962, Silent Spring aimed at the chemical industry, which, Carson argued, was causing widespread damage to the environment through the development and use of pesticides. Its larger message was that humans are having a massively detrimental effect on the planet.
I Contain Multitudes, by Ed Yong
One of the most jaw-dropping parts of biology is the study of bacteria or bacteriology. According to Ed Yong, our organism is covered in over forty trillion bacteria; that's in one body! If you think about what happens on all living organisms, the whole diversity of life, the mind boggles at the numbers of these teeny-weeny microorganisms that are invisible to the naked eye.
Ed Yong's book studies all of this and tells the story of this ecosystem of microscopic creatures with page-turning narratives of sex and drugs and rock 'n' roll.
Take a look at all of the previously mentioned books to enjoy some fascinating reading sessions!
More Biology Resources: Using Science Magazines to Study Biology
If you're not that into biology but want to dip in and out of a broad range of biology topics in preparation for your exams, try using science magazines. Many magazines deal with information covering all aspects of life on Earth, from introductory articles on plant biology to more in-depth pieces on the origin of life. These will include the newest developments in biology too – and they are written for the general reader, so you won't struggle with complex explanations that you cannot understand.
New Scientist
The New Scientist is not a dedicated biology magazine since it features everything from space, chemistry, health, and the environment. Yet, you'll find in amongst these topics some fascinating articles about all things biology – from molecular biology to zoology.
It's a very prestigious magazine, and most of the content is online – but there is a special discount on subscriptions for printer magazines for students, which you might want to look at.
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The Biologist
The Biologist is the magazine of the Royal Society of Biology, the British institute for everything biological. Alongside news reports from the biology community, The Biologist has opinion pieces on ethical and political dilemmas that face the sciences and the natural world.
Sure, you can subscribe to the gorgeously glossy magazine itself, but you can also read features online – you'll miss out on the pictures and the feeling of having something printed in your hands.
American Scientist
If you like your science with sumptuous visuals, try the American Scientist, another magazine that covers all aspects of the discipline like the New Scientist. From addiction to rewilding to extra-terrestrial life to cell structure, American Scientist provides coverage of all significant research and ideas in science with a very nicely designed website. That's what I call a win-win!
While you may not have time to read all of the issues from the previously mentioned magazines, we remarkably suggest that you analyse all the options and choose the one that best suits your style.
The Most Trusted Biology Textbooks
And so, we come to it, the nemesis of fun biology study: the textbook. Before you groan, we already know that these are the bane of a student's life.
However, they are also super helpful to help you prepare for your exams, as, funnily enough, textbooks are usually designed with the exam in mind, endorsed by the exam board, and written for an audience such as you. So, quit the whining because textbooks are indispensable!
Without further ado, then, let's take a look at the most reliable biology textbooks for all biology qualifications and learners of all ages.
CGP for GCSE Biology and A-Level (Revision and Practice)
CGP are well known as revision aids for any subject. They generally cover the main content of the exam in an evident style and in the most entertaining way possible. For both GCSE and A-Level stages, you will find precisely what you need.
A positive characteristic about CGP books is that, alongside the helpful content, they have practice books, too, filled with mock questions, quizzes, and model answers to guide you through your biology course.
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Oxford's AQA A Level Biology Revision Guide
As with most things published by the Oxford University Press, this guide to AQA's Biology A Level is very reliable, comprehensive, and easy to follow. Here, you will find information on all parts of the syllabus and handy tips on how to answer the questions in the exam in the best way.
Overall, Oxford's AQA A-Level Biology Revision Guide is a beneficial resource.
IB Biology by OSC
Not many of you will be studying for the International Baccalaureate, but your best bet is the OSC Biology revision guides for those who are. The IB Biology by OSC textbook features quizzes, exam preparation guidance, clarity on the fundamental parts of the course, and help to answer long-form questions.
Biology Textbooks for OCR and Edexcel
As with all other exam boards, you will be able to find dedicated, board-specific textbooks for OCR and Edexcel courses. The publisher, Pearson, is excellent for the Edexcel course, whilst the OUP's OCR textbook is the best around for those studying for that exam board.
No matter which of the textbooks mentioned above that you decide to study, your learning experience will be a great one!
Groundbreaking Tips to Study Textbooks Effectively
While it may be a bit easier to read exciting books about a specific topic of biology or research findings, it is more often than not highly boring to scan through the pages of a textbook. Why's that? Since most novels and biographies have a specific angle and use diversified language, a book usually has a "head-on" angle. As a result, it leaves little to the imagination - the best part of reading!
But, is there a way to get the most out of analysing textbooks while still enjoying the academic discipline you are reading about? Absolutely! Take a look at the following suggestions on how to study a textbook:
- Analyse Small Chunks of Information: rather than becoming overwhelmed by trying to assimilate too much information, it is highly recommended to select small, bite-size pieces of your textbook to study. For example, like a few paragraphs to review and only move on to the next part after correctly understanding the information.
- Write Down Notes: while studying, it is a fantastic idea to write down notes that include the key points and the essential information that you should recall. Having notes to complement studying your textbook makes your learning experience more personal and tailored to your observations of the subject at hand.
- Form Questions to Answer: another fantastic tip to consider when studying drab textbooks is formulating questions about the material you review. How does that help? By forming questions to answer, you focus on the primary points of interest, which is the main goal!
By considering the three previously mentioned suggestions when studying a textbook on a subject such as biology, you are essentially being your teacher and efficiently guiding yourself through the complex information at hand.
Finding a Biology Tutor to Facilitate Learning
Whether you decide to utilise books when studying biology or not, there is one thing that you should do. Like? Hire a personal biology tutor. By enlisting the assistance of a private instructor who excels in biology, you are guaranteeing yourself the following advantages:
- Personalised instruction,
- The choice between in-person or online classes,
- A flexible learning schedule,
- Engaging instruction,
- Helpful tips and tricks from qualified teachers.
Although most people recognise the benefits of private tutoring when learning a subject such as biology, a standard question seems to arise: Where does a person find a private tutor? Look no further than Superprof!
With more than 17 million passionate academic tutors worldwide conducting lessons in more than 1000 topics of interest, Superprof has become a game-changer in the e-learning industry.
It's worth mentioning that there are plenty of biology instructors across cities and towns in the United Kingdom that are ready to offer remedial lessons to biology students who want to use their books. For instance, according to the most updated version of the Superprof site, there are currently 6412 biology tutors in the United Kingdom; you won't have any trouble finding an instructor that is right for you!
By choosing Superprof, you are guaranteed quality lessons with an accredited tutor who has many years of experience in their domain. Also, lessons with a Superprof are affordable and definitely will not break the bank!
In conclusion, although you might have thought that studying biology using printed books were boring and outdated, we are pretty sure that the information provided in today's article was exactly what you needed to hear. Happy reading!
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