Free Online Textbook List / Life Sciences

Free Online Life Sciences Textbooks

Life science is sort of an umbrella term for those fields of science that study living organisms - plants, animals and people.

Biology and medical science are the primary fields of study within the life sciences. They are also the most well-represented here on Online Degree Discussion.

Traditionally, science textbooks have been the most expensive to produce and conversely the most expensive to buy. In some fields, printed texts are obsolete before they even hit the shelves.

Textbooks in the life sciences are probably some of the best to turn into 'living texts' where changes can be made in minutes or hours rather than through the publication of errata or revised editions.

Students in the life sciences can finally get some relief from high textbook prices thanks to the Internet and open textbook initiatives.

 
Categories
AgricultureAgriculture (5)GeographyGeography (1)
BiologyBiology (8)
Botany, ...
Online Textbooks for Medical StudentsOnline Textbooks for Medical Students (22)
 
 
An Introduction To Entomology
Online textbook on the life science entomology - the study of insects. Sadly this top-notch resource suffers from a bit of poor programming. If you should encounter a page not found error, double check the URL and if you find a "\", change it to a "/" and you should see the page you wanted.

Last Verified: (Sep 8, 2011) Report Broken Listing

 
 
An Introduction to Physical Oceanography
Introductory oceanography textbook written by Matthias Tomczak, professor of oceanography from the School of Chemistry, Physics & Earth Sciences at Flinders University.

Last Verified: (Sep 9, 2011) Report Broken Listing

 
 
Cranes: Their Biology, Husbandry, and Conservation
Wonderfully illustrated online textbook edited by David H. Ellis, George F. Gee (both formerly of USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center) and Claire M. Mirande with Technical Editor Catherine H. Ellis and Copy Editor Lorie A. Shaull. Not sure how many life sciences students would need this level of detail on a specific family of birds, but the quality of this text certainly makes it worth including on Online Degree Discussion.

Last Verified: (Sep 8, 2011) Report Broken Listing

 

 
Environmental Science
When I visited the site this online textbook was still being developed by Professional Education, Testing and Certification Organization International. Some of the links were broken and the author's bio had yet to be written. However, it looks like the main body of the text is fairly well complete and ready for use. The site does have some annoying pop-ups complaining about cookies being turned on (even when already on) and you might see some warnings that this course isn't finished.

Last Verified: (Sep 5, 2011) Report Broken Listing

 
 
Fundamentals of Nursing Practice
Part of Professional Education, Testing and Certification Organization International's efforts at providing a series of open courses. They are still building the programs and this course and textbook were still in development when I visited the site. Much of the text does, however, look completed.

Last Verified: (Sep 6, 2011) Report Broken Listing

 
 
Regional Oceanography: An Introduction
Matthias Tomczak and J. Stuart Godfrey are offering the second edition of their textbook online. It is written for advanced undergraduates or as an introductory graduate level course. The textbook is organized by 7 primary topics covered across 20 chapters which include: an introduction to the general principles of oceanography, Antarctic and Arctic oceanography, the Pacific Ocean, The Indian Ocean, The Atlantic Ocean, aspects of advanced regional oceanography and the ocean and climate. The site contains several versions of the PDF files to make it easier for printing but the authors hope that you will use the text in an electronic format in the interest of preserving the environment.

Last Verified: (Oct 9, 2011) Report Broken Listing

 
 
Textbook of Small Animal Orthopaedics
Registration is required and limited to veterinarians, veterinary sipport staff, veterinary students, and animal health scientists and professionals. The textbook is presented by Professor C.D. Newton, DVM PhD Dipl ACVS, and Professor D. Nunamaker, DVM PhD Dipl ACVS. It is offered on the International Veterinary Information Service (IVIS) which provides a variety of veterinary information including other texts.

Last Verified: (Oct 4, 2011) Report Broken Listing