Open Textbooks
- Anatomy & Physiology Textbook (OpenStax)
Open textbook “for the two-semester human anatomy and physiology course for life science and allied health majors. The book is organized by body system and covers standard scope and sequence requirements. […] The web-based version of Anatomy and Physiology also features links to surgical videos, histology, and interactive diagrams.” - Concepts of Biology Textbook
Open textbook “designed for the typical introductory biology course for nonmajors, covering standard scope and sequence requirements. The text includes interesting applications and conveys the major themes of biology, with content that is meaningful and easy to understand. The book is designed to demonstrate biology concepts and to promote scientific literacy.” - Digital Histology
“The teaching of histology increasingly relies on digital resources in lieu of traditional microscope laboratories. Digital Histology provides an open educational resource that combines a digital atlas with extensive descriptive text. It is organized as a multi-hierarchy outline that reinforces broader histological concepts and parallels the content of most histology textbooks. Digital Histology, featuring on-demand labeling of structures and interactive quizzes with formative feedback, can be used by a diverse group of learners.” - Environmental Biology Textbook (OpenOregon)
Open textbook “designed for the typical introductory biology course for nonmajors, covering standard scope and sequence requirements. The text includes interesting applications and conveys the major themes of biology, with content that is meaningful and easy to understand. The book is designed to demonstrate biology concepts and to promote scientific literacy.” - How to Do Science: Revised Edition
This book is “for students of the life sciences who are actively engaged in the scientific process.” - Human Biology: Human Anatomy and Physiology
“This textbook is ideal for an introductory-level human biology course. [It] begins with an introduction to sciences and the scientific method, and then addresses the human body in increasing scale: from biological molecules, to cells and tissues, to organs and all eleven organ systems, all with an overarching focus on health. The text employs clear writing, case studies for each chapter, interactive self-marking study activities, highlights of Indigenous knowledge and examples, a pop-up glossary, and links to resources for extending learning.” - Microbiology Textbook (OpenStax)
“Microbiology covers the scope and sequence requirements for a single-semester microbiology course for non-majors. The book presents the core concepts of microbiology with a focus on applications for careers in allied health.” - A Mixed Course-Based Research Approach to Human Physiology
“In this course, students will learn how to perform literature searches; generate research questions and hypotheses; design experiments; collect, analyze, visualize and interpret data; and present scientific findings to others.” - Unfolding the Mystery of Life, Biology Lab Manual for Non-Science Majors (Mercer County CC)
“This laboratory manual is intended for use in a biology laboratory course taken by non-science majors, pre-biology, and pre-allied health majors. Laboratory exercises provide students with experience in basic laboratory skills, gathering and organizing data, measuring and calculating, hypothesis testing, analysis of data, writing, and laboratory safety.”
Open & Zero-Cost Sites & Hub
- BioInteractive
“[P]rovides educators with planning tools to build resource playlists and storylines, and professional learning materials and opportunities to deepen their scientific and pedagogical expertise.” Some resources are Creative-Commons licensed. - Biology LibreTexts
Hub of Biology resources maintained by faculty, students, and outside experts. Resources include textbooks, homework exercises, visualizations and more. - Biology OER (City Tech Open Lab)
- Encyclopedia of Life
“Global access to knowledge about life on Earth” - Merlot – Biology Community Portal
Hub of Biology materials. Users can create profiles to review materials, contribute their own resources, and connect with others involved in Biology OER. - Open Access Biomedical Image Search Engine
- Vision Learning
Library of peer-reviewed modules, glossary of science terms, and custom courses across STEM disciplines. “The content is aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS).”
Open Ancillaries, Lab Manuals, & Simulations
- Genetics Lab Manual (CUNY City Tech)
By Professor Christopher Blair of CUNY City Tech. - Microbiology: A Laboratory Experience
“This text provides a series of laboratory exercises compatible with a one-semester undergraduate microbiology or bacteriology course with a three- or four-hour lab period that meets once or twice a week. The design of the lab manual conforms to the American Society for Microbiology curriculum guidelines and takes a ground-up approach — beginning with an introduction to biosafety and containment practices and how to work with biological hazards. From there the course moves to basic but essential microscopy skills, aseptic technique and culture methods, and builds to include more advanced lab techniques.” - Online Resources for Science Laboratories (POD) – Remote Teaching
Includes simulations, virtual labs, demonstrations, case studies, hands-on labs, and data sets. - phET Biology Interactive Simulations
- Principles of Biology I & II Lab Manuals (Dalton State College)
By Susan Burran and David DesRochers, Dalton State College. - Biology 351 Anatomical Illustrations
Anatomical illustrations created by Biological and Pre-Medical Illustration students at Iowa State University