Life: The Science of Biology with Digital Update, 12e by David Hillis

Life is engaging, active, and focused on skills.

The digital update to the 12th edition of Life: The Science of Biology features fully updated text content that works in conjunction with a powerful online suite of materials in Achieve to support the mission of Life by teaching students the skills and understanding of experimentation and data they need to succeed in introductory biology and ultimately in their future science careers. By engaging students with active discovery, a sharp focus on key concepts, and contemporary examples, Life’s digital update will support students’ learning journey in biology.

Features

Skills focused throughout to support teaching and learning in biology through asking questions. ‘Data in Depth’ features enhance scientific literacy skills through data visualisations, experimental design, graphing and mathematical calculations.
Leading by example and with a focus on critical thinking, the text exposes students to many thoughtful questions throughout, reinforcing the importance of asking questions in biology.
Engaging content helps students take the learning into their own hands. ‘Investigating Life’ narrative thread weaves through the chapter from the initial story at the beginning to the question sets at the end that reinforce the concepts and the synthesis and future directions.
Taking an active learning approach throughout, Life helps students learn by doing with a wealth of pedagogy that ensures they master key concepts and instructors benefit from an active learning guide providing invaluable resources and support for implementing active learning in the classroom.

New

Discussion of COVID-19 pandemic is introduced in chapter 1, with further information also added to chapters 17, 19, 21, 24, 40 and 53.
Podcast interviews highlight current research and the scientists involved in that research and accompanying podcast reflection assignments help students apply the concepts they are learning to current research and think about the people behind the science.
Both the narrative and art are updated to reflect the latest research and advances in biology.
New questions, homework assignments and active learning material freshen up and increase the support on the course for instructors.
New co-author Lauren O’Connell from Stanford University offers a new voice to the physiology chapters.

David M. Hillis

David M. Hillis is the Alfred W. Roark Centennial Professor in Integrative Biology at the University of Texas at Austin, where he also has directed the Center for Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, the Biodiversity Center, and the School of Biological Sciences. Dr. Hillis has taught courses in introductory biology, genetics, evolution, systematics, and biodiversity. He is a member of the National Academy of Sciences and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. He was awarded a John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Fellowship, and has served as President of the Society for the Study of Evolution and of the Society of Systematic Biologists. He served on the National Research Council committee that wrote the report BIO 2010: Transforming Undergraduate Biology Education for Research Biologists, and currently serves on the Executive Committee of the National Academies Scientific Teaching Alliance.