Anatomy and Physiology 2e (OpenStax) This open textbook is “developed to meet the scope and sequence for a two-semester human anatomy and physiology course for life science and allied health majors. The book is organized by body systems. The revision focuses on inclusive and equitable instruction and includes new student support.”
Biology 2e (OpenStax) This open textbook is “designed to cover the scope and sequence requirements of a typical two-semester biology course for science majors. The text provides comprehensive coverage of foundational research and core biology concepts through an evolutionary lens.”
Concepts of Biology (OpenStax) This open textbook is “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.”
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.”
Environmental Biology (OpenOregon) “Environmental Biology is a free and open textbook that enables students to develop a nuanced understanding of today’s most pressing environmental issues. This text helps students grasp the scientific foundation of environmental topics so they can better understand the world around them and their impact upon it.”
Human Biology: Human Anatomy and Physiology “This textbook is ideal for an introductory level Human Biology course. […] This textbook 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; with an overarching focus on health.”
Microbiology (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.”
Open and Zero-cost Sites and Hubs
BioInteractive This site provides “a variety of classroom resources based on peer-reviewed science. From data-rich activities and case studies to high-quality videos and interactive media, our resources are designed to connect students to big ideas in biology, promote engagement with science practices, and instill awe and wonder about the living world.” Some resources have Creative Commons licenses; check the terms of use for any resources you plan to use.
Biology LibreTexts This hub of open biology materials is maintained and revised by faculty, students, and outside experts. Resources include textbooks, homework exercises, visualizations, and more.
Biology OER (OpenLab at City Tech) Find resources on General Biology and Molecular and Cell Biology at this hub.
Encyclopedia of Life This open access encyclopedia is produced in collaboration with “open access biodiversity knowledge providers around the world, including museums and libraries, universities and research centers, individual scientists, graduate students and citizen science communities, and a suite of international open data hubs.”
Biology Community Portal (MERLOT) “The Biology board curates the materials related to life science. We assemble, review, and maintain resources in Anatomy & Physiology, Medicine, General Biology (including subdisciplines such as Botany, Zoology, Evolution, Genetcs, etc.), Biochemistry, Ecology and Environmental Sciences.”
Visionlearning: Your Insight into Science “Our peer-reviewed modules, grouped into scientific disciplines, explore a range of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) topics from a process perspective.” Content at Visionlearning, which was founded by Anthony Carpi of John Jay College, is free but not openly licensed.
Open and Zero-cost Ancillaries, Lab Manuals, and Simulations
Genetics lab manual (OpenLab at City Tech) This OER is by Professor Christopher Blair of 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.”
PhET Biology Interactive Simulations “PhET provides fun, free, interactive, research-based science and mathematics simulations. We extensively test and evaluate each simulation to ensure educational effectiveness. These tests include student interviews and observation of simulation use in classrooms. The simulations are written in HTML5 (with some legacy simulations in Java or Flash), and can be run online or downloaded to your computer. All simulations are open source.”
Biology 351 Anatomical Illustrations These anatomical illustrations were created by Biological and Pre-Medical Illustration students at Iowa State University.
Unfolding the Mystery of Life, Biology Lab Manual for Non-Science Majors (Mercer County Community College) “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.”
