Natural Sciences Textbooks

Analytical Chemistry 2.1

Contributor: Harvey

Publisher: David T. Harvey

License: CC BY-NC-SA

As currently taught in the United States, introductory courses in analytical chemistry emphasize quantitative (and sometimes qualitative) methods of analysis along with a heavy dose of equilibrium chemistry. Analytical chemistry, however, is much more than a collection of analytical methods and an understanding of equilibrium chemistry; it is an approach to solving chemical problems. Although equilibrium chemistry and analytical methods are important, their coverage should not come at the expense of other equally important topics.

(12 reviews)

Variational Principles in Classical Mechanics - Revised Second Edition

Contributor: Cline

Publisher: University of Rochester River Campus Libraries

License: CC BY-NC-SA

Two dramatically different philosophical approaches to classical mechanics were proposed during the 17th – 18th centuries. Newton developed his vectorial formulation that uses time-dependent differential equations of motion to relate vector observables like force and rate of change of momentum. Euler, Lagrange, Hamilton, and Jacobi, developed powerful alternative variational formulations based on the assumption that nature follows the principle of least action. These variational formulations now play a pivotal role in science and engineering.

(1 review)

Introduction to Permaculture

Contributor: Millison

Publisher: Oregon State University

License: CC BY-NC

Permaculture Design is a method of land planning that can be applied at scales from the home garden to city block to village to farm. It is an ethically based whole-systems design approach that uses concepts, principles, and methods derived from ecosystems, indigenous technologies, and other time-tested practices to create sustainable human settlements and institutions. Although rooted in horticulture and agriculture, Permaculture design is interdisciplinary, touching on a wide range of subjects including regional planning, ecology, animal husbandry, appropriate technology, architecture, social justice, and international development.

(1 review)

Microbiology

Contributor: Bruslind

Publisher: Oregon State University

License: CC BY-NC-SA

In this textbook the focus will be on the bacteria and archaea (traditionally known as the “prokaryotes,”) and the viruses and other acellular agents.

(6 reviews)

Organic Chemistry with a Biological Emphasis Volume I

Contributor: Soderberg

Publisher: University of Minnesota Morris

License: CC BY-NC-SA

The traditional approach to teaching Organic Chemistry, taken by most of the textbooks that are currently available, is to focus primarily on the reactions of laboratory synthesis, with much less discussion - in the central chapters, at least - of biological molecules and reactions. This is despite the fact that, in many classrooms, a majority of students are majoring in Biology or Health Sciences rather than in Chemistry, and are presumably taking the course in order to learn about the chemistry that takes place in living things.

(9 reviews)

Organic Chemistry with a Biological Emphasis Volume II

Contributor: Soderberg

Publisher: University of Minnesota Morris

License: CC BY-NC-SA

(3 reviews)

Forest Measurements: An Applied Approach

Contributor: DeYoung

Publisher: Open Oregon Educational Resources

License: CC BY

This is a forest measurements textbook written for field technicians. Silvicultural applications and illustrations are provided to demonstrate the relevance of the measurements. Special “technique tips” for each skill are intended to help increase data collection accuracy and confidence. These include how to avoid common pitfalls, effective short cuts and essentials for recording field data correctly. The emphasis is on elementary skills; it is not intended to be a timber cruising guide.

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(0 reviews)

Human Anatomy and Physiology Preparatory Course

Contributor: Liachovitzky

Publisher: CUNY Academic Works

License: CC BY-NC-SA

The goal of this preparatory textbook is to give students a chance to become familiar with some terms and some basic concepts they will find later on in the Anatomy and Physiology course, especially during the first few weeks of the course. Organization and functioning of the human organism are generally presented starting from the simplest building blocks, and then moving into levels of increasing complexity. This textbook follows the same presentation. It begins introducing the concept of homeostasis, then covers the chemical level, and later on a basic introduction to cellular level, organ level, and organ system level. This second edition incorporates a module on protein synthesis, and a complementary base pairing learning objective as requested by many students. This edition incorporates links to audios for all learning objectives, and many learning objectives have online videos associated to them. The textbook is organized in five Units, divided into sixteen Modules covering a total of fifty-three Learning Objectives. Each learning objective includes a short self-assessment at the end of it.

(14 reviews)

Astronomy 2e - 2e

Contributors: Fraknoi, Morrison, and Wolff

Publisher: OpenStax CNX

License: CC BY

Designed to meet the scope and sequence of your course, Astronomy 2e is written in clear non-technical language, with the occasional touch of humor and a wide range of clarifying illustrations. It has many analogies drawn from everyday life to help non-science majors appreciate, on their own terms, what our modern exploration of the universe is revealing. The book can be used for either a one-semester or two-semester introductory course.

(21 reviews)

Calculus-Based Physics I

Contributor: Schnick

Publisher: Jeffrey W. Schnick

License: CC BY-SA

Calculus-Based Physics is an introductory physics textbook designed for use in the two-semester introductory physics course typically taken by science and engineering students.

(1 review)