Biology - TCC OER Subject Guide: OER starting points
This guide compiles starting points for OER and freely available resources for Biology courses and topics. This OER subject guide was created for TCC faculty and staff and reflects TCC courses and curriculum. The purpose of this guide is to help faculty and staff more easily find and review OER in their areas so that they can make decisions about quality, accuracy, relevancy, and potential use.
OER starting points for Biology, by course area and material type
Survey of biology
TCC-created resources:
- General Cell Biology 160 - 2nd ed. (TCC OER textbook)New 2nd edition, 2021. OER textbook created by TCC faculty Ken Cushman and Kim Harrington. PDF download. CC BY (Creative Commons - Attribution) license.
Canvas course shells:
- BIOL& 100 Survey of Biology (WACTC OER course)To view: First, log into your TCC Canvas faculty account, then click on the Canvas Commons link/icon in the global navigation menu, and then finally click this link to view this Canvas course content. OER Canvas course shared by SBCTC, 2020. Includes modules, assignments, quizzes, and discussions. CC BY (Creative Commons - Attribution) license.
Textbooks, courses, and readers:
- Concepts of Biology (OER textbook)OpenStax, published 2013, web version updated 2024. "[D]esigned 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." Instructor resources, including Canvas course cartridge, supplemental test items, and slides, freely available upon verified account. Online and PDF formats; customizable Word document files available upon verified log-in. CC BY (Creative Commons - Attribution) license. Eligible for Print on Demand.
- Biology - AP (OER textbook)OpenStax, published 2018, updated 2023. "The text provides comprehensive coverage of foundational research and core biology concepts through an evolutionary lens." Instructor resources, including Canvas course cartridge, AP Lab Manual, instructor solutions manual, and slides, freely available upon verified account. Online and PDF formats; customizable Word document files available upon verified log-in. CC BY (Creative Commons - Attribution) license. Eligible for Print on Demand.
- Biofundamentals 2.0 (OER textbook)Michael W. Klymkowsky and Melanie M. Cooper, 2015. "Our goal is to present the key observations and unifying concepts upon which modern biology is based; it is not a survey of all biology! Once understood, these foundational observations and concepts should enable you to approach any biological process, from disease to kindness, from a scientific perspective." Organized into 10 chapters. PDF format. Peer reviews of the text are available on this site. CC BY NC SA (Creative Commons - Attribution - NonCommercial - ShareAlike) license. Eligible for Print on Demand.
- Human Biology (OER textbook)Willy Cushwa, 2015. "This textbook has been created with several goals in mind: accessibility, customization, and student engagement—all while encouraging students toward high levels of academic scholarship. Students will find that this textbook offers a strong introduction to human biology in an accessible format." Organized into 19 chapters. Peer reviews of the text available on this site. Online and PDF formats. CC BY (Creative Commons - Attribution) license. Eligible for Print on Demand.
Supplemental tools and materials (incl. games, lessons, videos, exercises, etc.):
- Bioscience Image Library (ancillary materials)Faye Reynolds, Berkshire Community College, project began 2017. "[A] growing collection of over 1100 text supported microscopic and macroscopic images and videos drawn from commercially prepared slide collections and live specimens commonly used in the study of Biology, Botany, Zoology, Histology and Microbiology [...] a media file repository of images and video clips made freely available to the public, with special attention to the needs of educators and students in the biological sciences." CC0 (Creative Commons Zero) license.
- General Biology Laboratory ManualDilek Sanver-Wang, College of the Canyons, 5th ed., [2023]. Organized into 13 labs, with learning objectives and background info to place the lab activity in context. PDF format. CC BY (Creative Commons - Attribution) license. Eligible for Print on Demand.
- Principles of Biology I and II Lab ManualsOER lab manuals created and used by Dalton State University, 2016. 13 labs for each course. PDF format. CC BY SA (Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike) license. Eligible for Print on Demand.
- Lab Manuals - Blue Mountain Community CollegeSeries of lab manuals used in BIOL 101, 102, and 103 at Blue Mountain Community College, 2016. Includes links to some case studies and documentaries. Canvas course; most lab documents are in Word format. CC BY (Creative Commons - Attribution) license. Eligible for Print on Demand.
- Biology - Crash Course video playlistCrash Course video series of 50+ videos (each video around 10 mins.) with innovative graphics, last updated 2024. Includes videos on: biological molecules, photosynthesis, DNA, taxonomy, animal behavior, biological systems, and more. Crash Course videos are high-quality, with a mix of live-action and animated graphics. Not openly licensed but freely available to view, link, and embed into courses.
- Biology - Khan Academy videos + lessonsKhan Academy videos and lessons on a range of biology topics, including Intro to biology, Chemistry of life, Structure of a cell, membranes and transport, DNA, viruses, ecology, biodiversity, and more.
- Instructor resources for OpenStax Concepts of Biology textbookInstructor resources freely available upon verified log-in. Includes PowerPoint slides, answer guide, assessment bank, supplemental test items, and a Canvas course cartridge.
- Moving Science Labs OnlineCalifornia Community Colleges, created 2020. Collection of online labs, activities, and OER to help instructors convert science labs to an online environment.
- Pioneers in STEM: Ingenious Innovations by Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (OER collection)Amy Minervini and KC Celestine, Fletcher Technical Community College, [2022]. "The intention of Pioneers in STEM: Ingenious Innovations by Black, Indigenous, and People of Color is to highlight the genius of non-white individuals who have contributed to the vast invention landscape. We also want to elevate and give a platform to the curiosity, inventiveness, and drive of Black, Indigenous, and people and women of color who may be or may have been overlooked or simply not written about in history or science books." Biographical essays organized into 4 sections, highlighting pioneers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. Includes writing prompts per essay to inspire discussion. Online (Pressbooks) format. CC BY NC (Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial) license. Eligible for Print on Demand.
- Science Stories"Science Stories brings scientific work into social spaces." Browse annotated stories and videos about scientists from traditionally marginalized backgrounds. A mix of historical and current stories. Covers all areas of STEM. Open access (okay to link to and/or embed videos).
- QUBES (Quantitative Undergraduate Biology Education and Synthesis)"An open and inclusive virtual space for sharing STEM classroom activities and resources" with open licenses. Browse or search for resources. Site launched in 2014 with support from the National Science Foundation; in 2021, moved under the management of BioQUEST.
Marine biology
Textbooks, courses, and readers:
- Marine Ecology Notes (OER textbook)Carsten F. Dormann, Arne Schroeder, University of Freiburg, 2021. "This book is a general introduction to Marine Ecology, accompanying a lecture and excursion. It targets students without prior knowledge of the subject." Organized into 5 chapters. PDF format. CC BY-SA (Creative Commons - ttribution-ShareAlike) license. Eligible for Print on Demand.
- World Ocean Review, Reports 1-7"[C]omprehensive, detailed and unique report[s] about the state of the world’s oceans and their interplay with ecological, economic and sociopolitical conditions. Its aim is to increase public awareness of the interconnected nature of the diverse aspects of the marine environment and thus to boost marine conservation." Volume 1 published in 2010, and Volume 7 published in 2021. Online and PDF formats. Each volume has a different theme, with multiple sub-sections. For example, Volume 1 has sub-sections on "Marine ecosystem," "Fisheries," and more. Not openly licensed but freely available to link to.
- A Student's Guide to Tropical Marine Biology (OER text)Created by Keene State College students, 2019. "Our goal was to investigate three main aspects of tropical marine biology: understanding the system, identifying problems, and evaluating solutions." Organized into 5 sections. Faculty peer reviews of the text on this site highlight its potential use as a supplemental source. Online and PDF formats. CC BY-NC (Creative Commons - Attribution-NonCommercial) license. Eligible for Print on Demand.
- Oceanography and Marine Biology: An Annual ReviewCRC Press, Taylor & Francis, Vol. 57, 2019. "[R]emains one of the most cited sources in marine science and oceanography. The ever increasing interest in work in oceanography and marine biology and its relevance to global environmental issues, especially global climate change and its impacts, creates a demand for authoritative reviews summarizing the results of recent research. This volume covers topics that include resting cysts from coastal marine plankton, facilitation cascades in marine ecosystems, and the way that human activities are rapidly altering the sensory landscape and behaviour of marine animals." PDFs of Chapters 2-7 available. CC BY NC ND (Creative Commons - Attribution - NonCommercial - NoDerivatives) license. Eligible for Print on Demand.
Supplemental tools and materials (incl. games, lessons, videos, exercises, etc.):
- Marine Invertebrate AtlasMethea Sapp and Linda Keys, Spokane Community College, 2016. "A photographic collection that aims to represent the range of morphological diversity found within marine invertebrate phyla." Organized into 4 main sections, with an image index. Word format via Google Docs. CC BY NC (Creative Commons - Attribution - NonCommercial) license. Eligible for Print on Demand.
- Encyclopedia of Puget Sound to Marine BiologyUniversity of Washington Puget Sound Institute, originally launched 2012 and continually updated. "A comprehensive guide to the science of Salish Sea ecosystem recovery." Science Review publication is peer-reviewed. Site also includes current blog articles, species, shoreline habitats, maps, and more. Site content freely available to the public, and contributors are encouraged to use CC BY NC ND (Creative Commons - Attribution - NonCommercial - NoDerivatives) license.
- Marine biology: The Deep Ocean (TED Studies)Curated video collection for students, educators, and self-guided learners. Includes an introductory essay and relevant TED Talks about marine biology. CC BY NC ND (Creative Commons - Attribution - NonCommercial - No Derivatives) license.
- Perspectives on Ocean Science Lecture Series (videos)Jeffrey B. Graham, University of California, videos since 2001 with new episodes added monthly. "Learn about ocean science from leading researchers at Scripps Institution of Oceanography. This series is taped at the Birch Aquarium at Scripps." Each video is embeddable, with additional audio and video files. Not openly licensed but freely available to view, link, and embed.
- FishBaseMost recently updated in 2021. "A gl3bal biodiversity information system on finfishes. Its initial goal to provide key facts on population dynamics for 200 major commercial species has now grown to having a wide range of information on all species currently known in the world: taxonomy, biology, trophic ecology, life history, and uses, as well as historical data reaching back to 250 years." CC BY NC (Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial) license.
- NOAA Fisheries - West Coast regionNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, West Coast region site. Includes tabs of resources for Puget Sound.
- QUBES (Quantitative Undergraduate Biology Education and Synthesis)"An open and inclusive virtual space for sharing STEM classroom activities and resources" with open licenses. Browse or search for resources. Site launched in 2014 with support from the National Science Foundation; in 2021, moved under the management of BioQUEST.
Cell & molecular biology
Canvas course shells:
- BIOL& 160 General Cell Biology (WACTC OER course)To view: First, log into your TCC Canvas faculty account, then click on the Canvas Commons link/icon in the global navigation menu, and then finally click this link to view this Canvas course content. OER Canvas course shared by Renton Technical College instructor, 2017. Includes modules, assignments, quizzes, and discussions. CC BY NC ND (Creative Commons - Attribution - NonCommercial - NoDerivatives) license.
Textbooks, courses, and readers:
- Fundamentals of Cell Biology (OER textbook)Lauren Dalton, et al., Oregon State University, 2024. "This textbook is focused specifically on the principles and concepts of a foundational Cell Biology course. The book takes a more conceptual approach that highlights how scientists study cells, and how to analyze and interpret experimental results. Rather than focusing primarily on historical experiments that were key to our understanding of cells, the book explores a range of more modern experimental techniques so that students can begin to understand how cells are studied now, in the 21st century. The book includes over 200 newly created illustrations and animations, that were specifically designed for this book, as well as review questions at the end of each chapter, to help students explore and understand the material." Organized into 8 chapters plus a glossary. Online (Pressbooks), PDF, EPUB, and Common Cartridge formats. CC BY NC (Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial) license. Eligible for Print on Demand.
- Biology for Health Professions (OER textbook)Lisa Bartee and Jack Brook, Mt. Hood Community College, Open Oregon, 2019. "Biology textbook based on the OpenStax biology book" for allied health students. Organized into 15 chapters. Online and PDF formats. CC BY (Creative Commons - Attribution) license. Eligible for Print on Demand.
- Basic Cell and Molecular Biology 4e: What We Know & How We Found Out (OER textbook)Gerald Bergtrom, University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, 4th ed. published 2020. "Like earlier editions, CMB4e opens with a short history of the discipline and a discussion of scientific method. The book remains focused on the understanding of evolution that informs all of the life sciences and continues to provide experimental support for what we know about cell and molecular biology. Having a sense of how science is practiced and how investigators think about experimental results is essential to understanding the relationship of cell structure and function, not to mention the natural world around us." Peer reviews of the text available on this site. PDF and online formats. CC BY (Creative Commons - Attribution) license. Eligible for Print on Demand.
- An Interactive Introduction to Organismal and Molecular Biology (OER textbook)Andrea Bierema, Michigan State University, 2021. "This "textbook" is interactive, meaning that although each chapter has text, they also have interactive HTML5 content, such as quizzes, simulations, interactive videos, and images with clickable hotspots. Students receive instant feedback when they complete the interactive content, and therefore, can learn and check their understanding all in one place. The first unit introduces students to the nature of science, including scientific controversies, and information literacy, including how to analyze literature and identify stakeholders. Unit 2 is organismal biology, including carbon cycling and population growth, and unit 3 is molecular biology with a focus on gene expression." Organized into 3 sections, with 22 chapters. Faculty peer reviews of this text available on this site. Online, PDF, e-book, and editable OpenDocument formats. CC BY-NC-SA (Creative Commons - Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike) license. Eligible for Print on Demand.
- Chromosomes, Genes, and Traits: An Introduction to Genetics (OER textbook)Amanda Simons, Remixing Open Textbooks through an Equity Lens (ROTEL) project, May 2024. "This resource is intended for an introductory or intermediate-level college genetics course. It begins with an exploration of DNA and genome structure and continues with a study of the molecular mechanisms that drive gene expression." Organized into 15 chapters. CC BY NC SA (Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial ShareAlike) license. Eligible for Print on Demand.
- Concepts of Biology (OER textbook)OpenStax, published 2013, web version updated 2024. "[D]esigned 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." Instructor resources, including Canvas course cartridge, supplemental test items, and slides, freely available upon verified account. Online and PDF formats; customizable Word document files available upon verified log-in. CC BY (Creative Commons - Attribution) license. Eligible for Print on Demand.
- Biology 2e (OER textbook)OpenStax, 2nd edition, published 2018, web version updated 2024. "[D]esigned 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." Instructor resources, including Canvas course cartridge, instructor answer guide, and slides, freely available upon verified account. Online and PDF formats; customizable Word document files available upon verified log-in. CC BY (Creative Commons - Attribution) license. Eligible for Print on Demand.
Supplemental tools and materials (incl. games, lessons, videos, exercises, etc.):
- Unfolding the Mystery of Life, Biology Lab Manual for Non-Science Majors (open lab manual)Ellen Genovesi, et al., Mercer County Community College, 2019. "This laboratory manual is intended for use in a biology laboratory course taken by non-science majors, pre-biology, and pre-allied health majors." Organized into 13 exercises. PDF format. CC BY (Creative Commons - Attribution) license. Eligible for Print on Demand.
- Instructor resources for OpenStax Concepts of Biology textbookInstructor resources freely available upon verified log-in. Includes PowerPoint slides, answer guide, assessment bank, supplemental test items, and a Canvas course cartridge.
- Biology - Khan Academy videos + lessonsKhan Academy videos and lessons on a range of biology topics, including Intro to biology, Chemistry of life, Structure of a cell, membranes and transport, DNA, viruses, ecology, biodiversity, and more.
- Moving Science Labs OnlineCalifornia Community Colleges, created 2020. Collection of online labs, activities, and OER to help instructors convert science labs to an online environment.
- QUBES (Quantitative Undergraduate Biology Education and Synthesis)"An open and inclusive virtual space for sharing STEM classroom activities and resources" with open licenses. Browse or search for resources. Site launched in 2014 with support from the National Science Foundation; in 2021, moved under the management of BioQUEST.
Human anatomy & physiology
Canvas course shells:
- BIOL& 242 Human Anatomy & Physiology 2 with Lab (WACTC OER course)To view: First, log into your TCC Canvas faculty account, then click on the Canvas Commons link/icon in the global navigation menu, and then finally click this link to view this Canvas course content. OER Canvas course shared by Edmonds Community College instructor, 2019. Includes labs, modules, assignments, quizzes, and discussions. CC BY NC (Creative Commons - Attribution - NonCommercial) license.
- Anatomy and Physiology (OER Canvas course)To view: First, log into your TCC Canvas faculty account, then click on the Canvas Commons link/icon in the global navigation menu, and then finally click this link to view this Canvas course content. Canvas course shell for using the OpenStax A&P OER textbook, shared by California Community Colleges CVC-OEI, 2019. Includes chapter modules with chapter readings. CC BY (Creative Commons - Attribution) license.
Textbooks, courses, and readers:
- Human Anatomy and Physiology Preparatory Course (OER textbook)Carlos Liachovitzky, Bronx Community College, 2015. "The overall purpose of this preparatory course textbook is to help students familiarize with some terms and some basic concepts they will find later in the Human Anatomy and Physiology I course." Organized into 5 units. Faculty peer reviews of this text available on this site. CC BY-NC-SA (Creative Commons - Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike) license. Eligible for Print on Demand.
- Anatomy and Physiology 2e (OER textbook)OpenStax, 2nd edition, published 2022, web version updated 2024. Textbook "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." Instructor resources, including instructor solution guide, testable images, and slides, freely available upon verified account. Online and PDF formats; customizable Word document files available upon verified log-in.CC BY 4.0 (Creative Commons - Attribution) license. Eligible for Print on Demand.
- Anatomy and Physiology I (OER course)OER course from Lumen, adapted from OpenStax text with additional resources, and currently hosted by LibreTexts. “Includes the study of the gross and microscopic structure of the systems of the human body with special emphasis on the relationship between structure and function. Integrates anatomy and physiology of cells, tissues, organs, the systems of the human body, and mechanisms responsible for homeostasis.” 16 modules, each includes practice tests. Online and PDF formats. Course pages may have different CC (Creative Commons) open licenses. Eligible for Print on Demand.
- Anatomy and Physiology II (OER course)OER course from Lumen, adapted from OpenStax textbook, and currently hosted by LibreTexts. Modules organized by systems of the body (endocrine system, urinary system, etc.). Online and PDF formats. Course pages may have different CC (Creative Commons) open licenses. Eligible for Print on Demand.
- Boundless Anatomy and Physiology (OER course)Online course created by Boundless and and currently hosted by LibreTexts. Online and PDF formats. CC BY SA (Creative Commons - Attribution - ShareAlike) license. Eligible for Print on Demand.
Supplemental tools and materials (incl. games, lessons, videos, exercises, etc.):
- Anatomy & Physiology I & II Lab Manuals (OER manuals)Created by Community College of Allegheny County's Anatomy & Physiology faculty, most recent versions published Spring 2024. Lab manuals for Anatomy & Physiology I & II courses. Adapted to align with OpenStax's Anatomy & Physiology OER textbooks. Labs include quizzes and videos. Each manual has 13+ labs. Online and PDF formats hosted on a LibGuide. "This Lab Manual was created as an Open Education Resource (OER)" but without a specific, designated CC license.
- Anatomy and Physiology Laboratory Manual for Nursing and Allied Health (OER manual)Aylin Marz, et al., Virtual Library of Virginia, 2020. Online (Pressbooks), EPUB, PDF, and editable OpenDocument formats. Organized into 28 chapters by body systems, plus a tutorial on drawing anatomical structuers. CC BY (Creative Commons - Attribution) license. Eligible for Print on Demand.
- A Mixed Course-Based Research Approach to Human Physiology (OER lab manual)Karri Haen Whitmer, Iowa State University, 2021. "Laboratory course was designed to provide students with hands-on access to modern techniques in human physiological analyses using the course-based research pedagogical approach. 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." Organized into 16 sections and lab activities. Online, PDF, and EPUB formats. CC BY SA (Creative Commons Attribution ShareAlike) license. Eligible for Print on Demand.
- Human Anatomy Lab Manual (OER)Malgosia Wilk-Blaszczak, University of Texas at Arlington, 2018. "This is a lab manual for a college-level human anatomy course. Mastery of anatomy requires a fair amount of memorization and recall skills. The activities in this manual encourage students to engage with new vocabulary in many ways, including grouping key terms, matching terms to structures, recalling definitions, and written exercises. Most of the activities in this manual utilize anatomical models, and several dissections of animal tissues and histological examinations are also included. Each unit includes both pre- and post-lab questions and six lab exercises designed for a classroom where students move from station to station. The vocabulary terms used in each unit are listed at the end of the manual and serve as a checklist for practicals." Organized into 10 labs. Faculty peer reviews of this text available on this site. Online, PDF, e-book, and editable OpenDocument formats. CC BY (Creative Commons - Attribution) license. Eligible for Print on Demand
- Digital Histology (OER collection + textbook)Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), 2020. "[C]ombines 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." Images slides for Cells, Tissues, Organs & Systems. Additional resources section includes self-assessment quizzes and an accompanying textbook. Online format for images, Word files for textbook. CC BY-NC-SA (Creative Commons - Attribution - NonCommercial - ShareAlike). Textbook files eligible for Print on Demand.
- UGA Anatomy and Physiology 1 Lab Manual, 3rd EditionDeLoris Hesse, et al., University of Georgia, 2017. "This lab manual was created for Anatomy and Physiology I." PDF and Word versions for 3rd ed., as well as prior editions, and a zip file of individual labs. Includes 26 labs. CC BY (Creative Commons Attribution) license. Eligible for Print on Demand.
- UGA Anatomy and Physiology 2 Lab Manual, 3rd EditionAnn Massey, University of Georgia, 2019. "This lab manual was created for Anatomy and Physiology II." PDF and Word formats for the 3rd ed., as well as prior editions. CC BY (Creative Commons - Attribution) license. Eligible for Print on Demand.
- Anatomy and Physiology OpenStax resources via OER Commons HubRepository of supplemental resources for the OpenStax Anatomy and Physiology textbook. Current resources include lab homeworks, lecture slides, videos, and activities. Each resource has its own license information.
- Anatomy & Physiology - Crash Course video playlistCrash Course video series of 45+ videos (each video around 10 mins.) with innovative graphics, last updated 2022. "This course is based on an introductory college level curriculum." Includes videos on: tissue types, organ systems and diseases, muscles, immune systems, anatomical terms and root words, and more. Crash Course videos are high-quality, with a mix of live-action and animated graphics. Not openly licensed but freely available to view, link, and embed into courses.
- "The Noted Anatomist" YouTube channelVideos created by Dr. Morton, anatomy instructor for health professions at the University of Utah, for his anatomy courses. Earliest videos created 2015, most recent ones created 2021. Videos range in length, from 3-30 minutes. Videos have closed-captioning. A mix of CC BY-licensed (Creative Commons - Attribution) and standard YouTube licensed videos.
- QUBES (Quantitative Undergraduate Biology Education and Synthesis)"An open and inclusive virtual space for sharing STEM classroom activities and resources" with open licenses. Browse or search for resources. Site launched in 2014 with support from the National Science Foundation; in 2021, moved under the management of BioQUEST.
- Bioscience Image Library (ancillary materials)Faye Reynolds, Berkshire Community College, project began 2017. "[A] growing collection of over 1100 text supported microscopic and macroscopic images and videos drawn from commercially prepared slide collections and live specimens commonly used in the study of Biology, Botany, Zoology, Histology and Microbiology [...] a media file repository of images and video clips made freely available to the public, with special attention to the needs of educators and students in the biological sciences." CC0 (Creative Commons Zero) license.
- Moving Science Labs OnlineCalifornia Community Colleges, created 2020. Collection of online labs, activities, and OER to help instructors convert science labs to an online environment.
Microbiology
Canvas course shells:
- BIOL& 260 Microbiology (WACTC OER course)To view: First, log into your TCC Canvas faculty account, then click on the Canvas Commons link/icon in the global navigation menu, and then finally click this link to view this Canvas course content. OER Canvas course shared by Bates Technical College instructor, 2020. Includes modules, assignments, discussions, and Labster lab simulations. CC BY NC SA (Creative Commons - Attribution - NonCommercial - ShareAlike) license.
Textbooks, courses, and readers:
- Microbiology (OER textbook)OpenStax, published 2016, web version updated 2024. "[C]overs 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." Organized into 26 chapters. Instructor resources, including Canvas course cartridge, test bank, and slides, freely available upon verified account. Online and PDF formats; customizable Word document files available upon verified log-in. CC BY (Creative Commons - Attribution) license. Eligible for Print on Demand.
- General Microbiology - 1st Edition (OER textbook)Linda Bruslind, Oregon State University, 2020. "In this textbook the focus will be on the bacteria and archaea (traditionally known as the “prokaryotes,”) and the viruses and other acellular agents." Organized into 22 chapters. Online, PDF, and EPUB formats. CC BY-NC (Creative Commons - Attribution - NonCommercial) license. Eligible for Print on Demand.
- Microbiology (Open Oregon textbook)Linda Bruslind, Oregon State University, 2017. " "In this textbook the focus will be on the bacteria and archaea (traditionally known as the “prokaryotes,”) and the viruses and other acellular agents." Uses intentionally chatty and informal tone. Organized into 22 chapters. PDF, online, EPUB, and HTML formats (you will see additional options once you click on the "PDF" link). Peer reviews of the text available on this site. CC BY NC SA (Creative Commons - Attribution - NonCommercial - ShareAlike) license. Eligible for Print on Demand.
- Microbiology for Allied Health Students (OER textbook)Molly Smith and Sara Selby, University System of Georgia, 2017, updated 2019. "[D]esigned to cover the scope and sequence requirements for the single semester Microbiology course for non-majors and allied health students. The book presents the core concepts of microbiology with a focus on applications for careers in allied health." Organized into 4 main units. Online, PDF, and editable Word formats. CC BY (Creative Commons - Attribution) license. Eligible for Print on Demand.
- Microbiology for Allied Health Students: Lab Manual (OER ancillary materials)Molly Smith and Sara Selby, South Georgia State College, 2017. "The lab manual was made to be used with the remixed textbook Microbiology for Allied Health Students, and the textbook has a set of Instructional Materials." PDF formats for the entire manual and individual sections. CC BY (Creative Commons Attribution) license. Eligible for Print on Demand.
- Boundless Microbiology course (OER course)OER course created by Boundless and currently hosted by LibreTexts. Multiple modules, from "Introduction to Microbiology" to "Industrial Microbiology." Online and PDF formats. CC BY SA (Creative Commons - Attribution - Share Alike) license. Eligible for Print on Demand.
Supplemental tools and materials (incl. lab manuals, games, lessons, videos, exercises, etc.):
- Microbiology Laboratory Manual (OER manual)Emilie Miller, Columbia Gorge Community College, Open Oregon, 2024. Designed for a microbiology laboratory course for community college students in an in-person course for an 11-week term. "This course incorporates a variety of instructional materials, such as how-to videos and assignments to accompany each lesson." Organized into 33 labs. Online (Pressbooks), PDF, EPUB, and Common Cartridge formats. CC BY (Creative Commons Attribution) license. Eligible for Print on Demand.
- Instructor resources for OpenStax Microbiology textbookInstructor resources freely available upon verified log-in. Include PowerPoint slides, test bank, answer guides, and Canvas course cartridge
- Microbiology: A Laboratory Experience (OER textbook)Holly Ahern, Open SUNY, 2018. "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." Online, PDF, EPUB formats. CC BY-NC-SA (Creative Commons - Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike) license. Eligible for Print on Demand.
- Microbiology OpenStax Hub via OER CommonsSupplemental resources created by faculty using the OpenStax Microbiology textbook. Resources currently include microbiology concept connection cards and a biology drawing activity.
- Introduction to Microbiology Laboratory ManualKelly C. Burke, College of the Canyons, 2017. Organized into 28 labs. PDF format. CC BY (Creative Commons - Attribution) license. Eligible for Print on Demand.
- Laboratory Exercises in Microbiology: Discovering the Unseen World Through Hands-On InvestigationSusan McLaughlin and Joan Petersen, Queensborough Community College, 2016. "The exercises in this laboratory manual are designed to engage students in hand-on activities that reinforce their understanding of the microbial world. Topics covered include: staining and microscopy, metabolic testing, physical and chemical control of microorganisms, and immunology. The target audience is primarily students preparing for a career in the health sciences, however many of the topics would be appropriate for a general microbiology course as well." Organized into 13 labs + 3 appendices. PDF format. Peer reviews of the lab manual available on this site. CC BY NC SA (Creative Commons - Attribution - NonCommercial - ShareAlike) license. Eligible for Print on Demand.
- Bioscience Image Library (ancillary materials)Faye Reynolds, Berkshire Community College, project began 2017. "[A] growing collection of over 1100 text supported microscopic and macroscopic images and videos drawn from commercially prepared slide collections and live specimens commonly used in the study of Biology, Botany, Zoology, Histology and Microbiology [...] a media file repository of images and video clips made freely available to the public, with special attention to the needs of educators and students in the biological sciences." CC0 (Creative Commons Zero) license.
- Biology - Khan Academy videos + lessonsKhan Academy videos and lessons on a range of biology topics, including Intro to biology, Chemistry of life, Structure of a cell, membranes and transport, DNA, viruses, ecology, biodiversity, and more.
- Moving Science Labs OnlineCalifornia Community Colleges, created 2020. Collection of online labs, activities, and OER to help instructors convert science labs to an online environment.
- QUBES (Quantitative Undergraduate Biology Education and Synthesis)"An open and inclusive virtual space for sharing STEM classroom activities and resources" with open licenses. Browse or search for resources. Site launched in 2014 with support from the National Science Foundation; in 2021, moved under the management of BioQUEST.
Evolution, ecology & biodiversity
Textbooks, courses, and readers:
- Evolutionary Developmental Biology (OER textbook/course)Ajna Rivera, University of the Pacific, 2021. Organized into 10 chapters/modules, including case studies and mini-labs. Online, PDF, print book files, and LMS cartridge formats. CC BY NC SA (Creative Commons - Attribution - NonCommercial - ShareAlike) license. Eligible for Print on Demand.
- Environmental Biology, Revised Edition (OER textbook)Matthew R. Fisher, Open Oregon, revised edition, 2023. "This open textbook covers the most salient environmental issues, from a biological perspective. The text is designed for an introductory-level college science course. Topics include the fundamentals of ecology, biodiversity, pollution, climate change, food production, and human population growth." Organized into 11 chapters. Online, digital PDF, print PDF, EPUB, and Common Cartridge formats. Peer reviews of the text available on this site. CC BY (Creative Commons - Attribution) license. Eligible for Print on Demand.
- Experiences in Biodiversity Research: A Field Course (OER textbook)Thea B. Gessler, Iowa State University Digital Press, 2024. "This handbook was developed to support the course, Experiences in Biodiversity Research. This course is intended to provide early undergraduates with experience in the practice of biodiversity research and to demystify the path to careers in this field." Organized into 4 main modules, with 8 appendices. Online (Pressbooks), PDF, EPUB, and Common Cartridge (compatible with Canvas) formats. CC BY NC (Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial) license. Eligible for Print on Demand.
- Principles of Biology (OER textbook)Lisa Bartee, et al., Mt. Hood Community College, 2017. Designed for science majors. "Laboratories and classroom activities introduce techniques used to study biological processes and provide opportunities for students to develop their ability to conduct research." Includes sections on genetics (BIOL 212) and ecology and evolution (BIOL 213). Faculty peer reviews of this text available on this site. E-book, PDF, and editable OpenDocument formats. CC BY (Creative Commons - Attribution) license. Eligible for Print on Demand
- Quantitative Ecology: A New Unified Approach (OER textbook)Clarence Lehman, Shelby Loberg, and Adam Clark, Univ. of Minnesota, 2019. "[I]ntroduces and discusses the principles of ecology from populations to ecosystems including human populations, disease, exotic organisms, habitat fragmentation, biodiversity and global dynamics. The book also reformulates and unifies ecological equations making them more accessible to the reader and easier to teach." PDF format. CC BY NC (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial) license. Eligible for Print on Demand.
Supplemental tools and materials (incl. lab manuals, games, lessons, videos, exercises, etc.):
- BioInteractive Classroom ResourcesInteractive virtual labs for evolution and genetics topics. Includes student and teacher handouts, worksheets, etc. Not openly licensed but educational use encouraged. Not eligible for Print on Demand.
- QUBES (Quantitative Undergraduate Biology Education and Synthesis)"An open and inclusive virtual space for sharing STEM classroom activities and resources" with open licenses. Browse or search for resources. Site launched in 2014 with support from the National Science Foundation; in 2021, moved under the management of BioQUEST.
- Bioscience Image Library (ancillary materials)Faye Reynolds, Berkshire Community College, project began 2017. "[A] growing collection of over 1100 text supported microscopic and macroscopic images and videos drawn from commercially prepared slide collections and live specimens commonly used in the study of Biology, Botany, Zoology, Histology and Microbiology [...] a media file repository of images and video clips made freely available to the public, with special attention to the needs of educators and students in the biological sciences." CC0 (Creative Commons Zero) license.
Botany
Textbooks, courses, and readers:
- Botany (OER textbook)Melissa Ha, Maria Morrow, & Kammy Algiers, California Community Colleges, 2021. Designed to accompany the Botany Lab Manual and Photographic Atlas by Morrow, both linked below. Organized into 4 units, with 22 chapters. Online, PDF, print book files, and LMS cartridge formats. CC BY NC (Creative Commons - Attribution - NonCommercial) license. Eligible for Print on Demand.
- Introduction to Botany (OER textbook)Alexey Shipunov, Minot State University, 2020. "This text is a re-structuring the “classical” introductory botany course into a more logical sequence of themes with two main ideas: (1) put as much plant-related information as possible into an evolutionary context and (2) explain complicated problems with simple words and metaphors." Organized into 10 chapters. Online, PDF, print book files, and LMS cartridge formats. Public domain license. Eligible for Print on Demand.
- The Science of Plants (OER textbook)Tom Michaels, et al., Univ. of Minnesota, 2022. "An approachable guide to the fundamentals of plant science." Organized into 15 chapters, plus a glossary. Ebook, online, PDF, XML, and editable Word formats. CC BY-NC (Creative Commons - Attribution-NonCommercial) license. Eligible for Print on Demand.
- Inanimate Life (OER textbook)George M. Briggs, SUNY Geneseo, 2021, updated 2022. "Inanimate Life is an open textbook covering a very traditional biological topic, botany, in a non-traditional way. Rather than a phylogenetic approach, going group by group, the book considers what defines organisms and examines four general areas of their biology: structure (their composition and how it comes to be), reproduction (including sex), energy and material needs, and their interactions with conditions and with other organisms." Online and PDF formats. CC BY-SA (Creative Commons - Attribution - ShareAlike) license. Eligible for Print on Demand.
- From Growing to Biology: Plants 1e (OER textbook)Gokhan Hacisalihoglu, Florida A&M University, 2021. "Ready to find out how plants are grown and function? Take a fantastic voyage through plants [...] brings the latest information for understanding of traditional and modern plant growing, form, and production." Organized into 30 chapters, each with key vocabulary and assessments. Faculty peer reviews of this text available on this site. PDF format. CC BY-NC-SA (Creative Commons - Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike) license. Eligible for Print on Demand.
- Buds, Branches and Bark: A Guide to Winter ID in the Pacific Northwest (OER textbook)Julie Alards-Toamlin and Alex Tait, British Columbia Institute of Technology (Canada), 2nd ed., 2022. "Winter plant ID is often considered more difficult, and is usually attempted by those who are already comfortable in plant identification. However, that doesn’t have to be the case! With a little practice, anyone can develop their winter identification skills." Includes terminology and illustrated sections for shrubs and branches. Google slides format. CC BY NC SA (Creative Commons - Attribution - NonCommercial - ShareAlike) license. Eligible for Print on Demand.
- History and Science of Cultivated Plants (OER textbook)Sushma Naithani, Oregon State University, 2021. "Using examples of various economically and socially important crops central to human civilization, the book describes the origin of crop plants, the evolution of agricultural practices, fundamental concepts of natural selection vs. domestication, experimental and methodical plant breeding, and plant biotechnology." Organized into 7 sections. Online, PDF, and e-book formats. CC BY-NC (Creative Commons - Attribution-NonCommercial) license. Eligible for Print on Demand.
- Plant Anatomy and Physiology (OER textbook)Sean Bellairs, Charles Darwin University (Australia), 2020. "Images and diagrams to explain concepts." Organized into 3 main sections: Inside a plant cell, Plant cells and meristems, and Stem, leaf and root anatomy. Online, digital PDF, and EPUB formats. CC BY SA (Creative Commons Attribution ShareAlike) license. Eligible for Print on Demand.
- Conservation Biology for All (Open access textbook)Edited by Navjot S. Sodhi and Paul R. Ehrlich, published by Oxford UP, 2010. "Oxford University Press makes conservation biology textbook by some of the world's most prominent ecologists and conservation biologists available as free download." Organized into 16 chapters. PDF of entire book and for each chapter. Open access, educational use encouraged. Not eligible for Print on Demand.
Supplemental tools and materials (incl. games, lessons, videos, exercises, etc.):
- Botany Lab Manual (OER text)Maria Morrow, College of the Redwoods, 2020. Lab manual with 24 labs, each with vocabulary, diagrams, and summative questions. Online, PDF, print book files, and LMS cartridge formats. CC BY NC (Creative Commons - Attribution -NonCommercial) license. Eligible for Print on Demand.
- Interviews With Plants - Video playlistVideos and video playlists to identify PNW flora, most recently updated 2024. Most videos 2-4 mins each. "Come learn plant identification skills with us! “Interviews with Plants” will assist nature enthusiasts in learning to identify native coastal British Columbia flora, including trees, shrubs, and herbs." All videos licensed under CC BY-NC-SA (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike) license.
- Botany - Crash Course video playlistCrash Course video series of 15 videos (each video around 10 mins.) with innovative graphics, 2023. Includes videos on: What is Botany, Plant Cells & Hormones, How Do We Categorize Plants?, The Future of Botany, and more. Crash Course videos are high-quality, with a mix of live-action and animated graphics. Not openly licensed but freely available to view, link, and embed into courses.
- A Photographic Atlas for Botany (OER textbook)Maria Morrow, College of the Redwoods, 2020. "This book provides images and descriptions for the organismal groups and anatomical features covered in general botany." Organized into 14 chapters. Online, PDF, print book files, and LMS cartridge formats available. CC BY NC (Creative Commons - Attribution - NonCommercial) license. Eligible for Print on Demand.
- Forest Measurements - An Applied Approach (OER textbook)Joan DeYoung, Mt. Hood Community College, Open Oregon, 2016. "This is a forest measurements textbook written for field technicians. [...] The emphasis is on elementary skills; it is not intended to be a timber cruising guide." Organized into 6 sections. Online, PDF, and EPUB formats. CC BY (Creative Commons - Attribution) license. Eligible for Print on Demand.
- QUBES (Quantitative Undergraduate Biology Education and Synthesis)"An open and inclusive virtual space for sharing STEM classroom activities and resources" with open licenses. Browse or search for resources. Site launched in 2014 with support from the National Science Foundation; in 2021, moved under the management of BioQUEST.
- Bioscience Image Library (ancillary materials)Faye Reynolds, Berkshire Community College, project began 2017. "[A] growing collection of over 1100 text supported microscopic and macroscopic images and videos drawn from commercially prepared slide collections and live specimens commonly used in the study of Biology, Botany, Zoology, Histology and Microbiology [...] a media file repository of images and video clips made freely available to the public, with special attention to the needs of educators and students in the biological sciences." CC0 (Creative Commons Zero) license.
Biology research
Textbooks, courses, and readers:
- How To Do Science - Revised Edition (OER textbook)Louise Lexis and Brianna Julien, University of Southern Queensland (Australia), 2022. "Written for students of the life sciences who are actively engaged in the scientific process. This guide introduces you to what it means to be a scientist. You will learn about the scientific method and how to carry out many tasks of a scientist, including: designing experiments, visualising data, accessing scientific literature, communicating science, and writing literature reviews." Organized into 9 main chapters. Online, e-book, and PDF formats. CC BY-NC-SA (Creative Commons - Attribution - NonCommercial - ShareAlike) license. Eligible for Print on Demand.
Supplemental tools and materials (incl. games, lessons, videos, exercises, etc.):
- Fundamentals of Biology Research Project (OER ancillary materials)Ana Lucia Fuentes and Maria Entezari, CUNY LaGuardia Community College, 2017. Detailed research project outline and rubric. PDF format. CC BY NC (Creative Commons - Attribution - NonCommercial) license.
- Processes: Writing Across Academic Careers (OER collection)Edited by Christopherh Iverson and Dan Ehrenfeld, Open SUNY, Milne Open Textbooks, 2023. "The text features compositions from nursing, STEM and health sciences, education, and history and culture. The examples span from reflections on the role of writing in one’s academic career, examples of professional writing in the sciences, research papers, conference proposals, to laboratory reports." Features sections and essays on varied disciplines, including: Nursing, health sciences, STEM, education, philosophy, history, and more. Online (Pressbooks), PDF, and EPUB formats. CC BY-NC-SA (Creative Commons - Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike) license. Eligible for Print on Demand.
- Writing for the Sciences: Research Paper Assignment (OER ancillary materials)Debra Williams, CUNY City College, 2018. Assignment for a "Science literature review of research challenging students to analyze and synthesize the methods section of research papers on a specific research issue, supporting their proposal for further research." PDF format. CC BY (Creative Commons - Attribution) license.
- Writing for Sciences handout - The Writing Center @ UNC-Chapel HillExcellent handouts and videos around key writing concepts; Writing for Specific Fields includes a handout for Science. Licensed under CC BY NC ND (Creative Commons - Attribution - NonCommercial - No Derivatives).
- QUBES (Quantitative Undergraduate Biology Education and Synthesis)"An open and inclusive virtual space for sharing STEM classroom activities and resources" with open licenses. Browse or search for resources. Site launched in 2014 with support from the National Science Foundation; in 2021, moved under the management of BioQUEST.
Astrobiology
For OER and library resources on astrobiology, please explore the Astronomy OER subject guide, linked below and then click on the "Astrobiology" sub-tab:
Culturally responsive & inclusive pedagogy
The Culturally Responsive and Inclusive Pedagogy OER Subject Guide, linked below, provides a starting point for OER professional development and curricular materials relating to issues of equity, diversity, and inclusion; trauma-informed practices; and culturally responsive, inclusive, and anti-racist pedagogy and practices. This guide includes concepts and keywords; TCC OEDI resources; introductory and more in-depth professional development resources (toolkits, guides, etc.); curriculum resources (activities, assignments, etc.); OER and EDI rubrics; instructional design; accessibility; as well as EDI-focused OER in different disciplines across the curriculum, including STEM.
Your OER librarian
Jennifer Snoek-Brown
she/her
Contact:
Email: jsnoek-brown@tacomacc.edu (the fastest way to contact me)
Office: Bldg 7, Library (please wear a face mask)
Phone: 253.460.3936 (forwards to my email)
Book an appointment Click the "book now" button above to book a personal appointment with me via Zoom.
Website
Office: Bldg 7, Library (please wear a face mask)
Phone: 253.460.3936 (forwards to my email)
Book an appointment Click the "book now" button above to book a personal appointment with me via Zoom.
Your liaison librarian
Melissa Adams
Subjects: Astronomy, Biology, Botany, Business/Economics, Careers, Chemistry, College 101, Community Health, Early Childhood Education, Economics, Education, Emergency Medical Services, Engineering, Environmental Science, Geology, Health, Math, Music, Nutrition, Philosophy, Radiologic Science, Science, Statistics
Attributions
Except where otherwise noted, the content in this guide was compiled by Jennifer Snoek-Brown, Tacoma Community College Library, and is licensed under a CC BY SA 4.0 license.
Except where otherwise noted, the content in these guides by Tacoma Community College Library is licensed under CC BY SA 4.0.
This openly licensed content allows others to cite, share, or modify this content, with credit to TCC Library. When reusing or adapting this content, include this statement in the new document: This content was originally created by Tacoma Community College Library and shared with a CC BY SA 4.0 license.
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