Best review books for introductory science courses for a Bio major?

[j814wong]

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I am looking for some introductory science course review books for college. Or rather, books that I plan to start reading (I have plenty of time this senior year in high school) to grasp the basics so I don't go into college introductory courses blind.

I might as well use my free time for something constructive.

For biology, I have The Complete Idiot's Guide to College Biology which looks really good so far.

For chemistry, I found David M. Klein's (Author of Orgo. Chem. as a Second Language) General Chemistry I as a Second Language: Mastering the Fundamental Skills to use along with Schaum's Outline for College Chemistry.

Physics has always been my weak point even in high school whereas I'm stronger at biology and chemistry. How are the Physics I and Physics II for Dummies books?

Are there any other books besides the textbooks I would use for my courses that would be good to read to help get a foundation before the course?

 

[Doctor Strange]

Pre-studying? We got a gunner here...

But, seriously... Don't pre-study.

 

[xXIDaShizIXx]

Enjoy the free time you have OP.

 

[j814wong]

Me a gunner? Far from it. I never sit in the front of my class. I just have so much time that after finishing homework, playing games, and watching TV I still have enough free time that I get bored and fidgetty.

 

[Plue00]

For my intro class (bio 1 and 2), I had to read chapters 1 through ~46 of this book:

http://www.amazon.com/Biological-Sc...8-1&keywords=scott+freeman+biological+science

Hope it helps.

 

[487806]

I am looking for some introductory science course review books for college. Or rather, books that I plan to start reading (I have plenty of time this senior year in high school) to grasp the basics so I don't go into college introductory courses blind.

I might as well use my free time for something constructive.

For biology, I have The Complete Idiot's Guide to College Biology which looks really good so far.

For chemistry, I found David M. Klein's (Author of Orgo. Chem. as a Second Language) General Chemistry I as a Second Language: Mastering the Fundamental Skills to use along with Schaum's Outline for College Chemistry.

Physics has always been my weak point even in high school whereas I'm stronger at biology and chemistry. How are the Physics I and Physics II for Dummies books?

Are there any other books besides the textbooks I would use for my courses that would be good to read to help get a foundation before the course?

Don't study for college. Relax, and dive into the work when you enter college.

 

[Black Mamba24]

Me a gunner? Far from it. I never sit in the front of my class. I just have so much time that after finishing homework, playing games, and watching TV I still have enough free time that I get bored and fidgetty.

Then you're doing it wrong. Play more video games. 😎
But seriously, pre-studying isn't worth the time.

 

[AestheticGod]

Pre-studying? We got a gunner here...

But, seriously... Don't pre-study.

Why is prestudying considered bad? I figured it's good if the person wants a guaranteed A and has free time.

 

[j814wong]

Then you're doing it wrong. Play more video games. 😎
But seriously, pre-studying isn't worth the time.

I would but I'd be doing the opposite of what a doctor ought to do. I play Battlefield on PC and CoD on Wii meaning I send more then a few bullets flying. But I redeem myself in the fact that I love being a medic in Battlefield. Dodging bullets to revive a teammate is surprisingly thrilling and satsifying 😀

 

[j814wong]

Why is prestudying considered bad? I figured it's good if the person wants a guaranteed A and has free time.

My thoughts exactly 👍

 

[Black Mamba24]

I would but I'd be doing the opposite of what a doctor ought to do. I play Battlefield on PC and CoD on Wii meaning I send more then a few bullets flying. But I redeem myself in the fact that I love being a medic in Battlefield. Dodging bullets to revive a teammate is surprisingly thrilling and satsifying 😀

Wha? I've never heard of anyone playing CoD on Wii. How does that even work? I myself enjoy working kids over with a good sniper (Xbox).

As far as pre-studying, I just think it's too inefficient to do it, particularly if you don't know how the course will be taught at your school, such as the materials used, and what the professor likes to emphasize. However, I'm just lazy in general when it comes to school so I may be biased.

 

[j814wong]

Wha? I've never heard of anyone playing CoD on Wii. How does that even work? I myself enjoy working kids over with a good sniper (Xbox).

As far as pre-studying, I just think it's too inefficient to do it, particularly if you don't know how the course will be taught at your school, such as the materials used, and what the professor likes to emphasize. However, I'm just lazy in general when it comes to school so I may be biased.

You insult us Wii gamers? We are a tough bunch and love to shout insults in a high pitched voice while cursing at every person who kills us! I challenge you to a game only to rage quite after cursing profusively.

You have a good point about prestudying because I don't know how the course is taught but as I said, I'm only trying to get down the basics that every course has.

 

[AestheticGod]

If you have the free time, go ahead. It's not really hard to find out what your future professors will teach you. Just look up the books they use on the school website and purchase/torrent it. I personally would only study the outlines, that's it.

From what I hear...

Organic Chemistry: chads course saver videos (google it) and organic chemistry as a first language.

Physics: Chads course saver videos, kahn academy.

Math: Kahn academy

Biology: Steal professors powerpoint slides, or read book outlines. Seriously, it's sometimes really hard to tell ahead of time what to study for in biology, there's just SO MUCH information that you can memorize. So in the end it depends on the professor.

 

[Shinobiz11]

Why is prestudying considered bad? I figured it's good if the person wants a guaranteed A and has free time.

Because you don't know what you're professor wants you to know. The intro bio instructor at my school goes only off his notes and teaches a lot of things wrong from the book. To sit there a read a biology book is fine, but when you are actually studying for nothing, it doesn't make any sense.

 

[j814wong]

Because you don't know what you're professor wants you to know. The intro bio instructor at my school goes only off his notes and teaches a lot of things wrong from the book. To sit there a read a biology book is fine, but when you are actually studying for nothing, it doesn't make any sense.

Woah. Teaching stuff wrong? Is it a reputable book or does the professor just suck? In any case, this would demand some investigations.

 

[Shinobiz11]

Woah. Teaching stuff wrong? Is it a reputable book or does the professor just suck? In any case, this would demand some investigations.

Sorry, poor choice of words on my part. Its more like, how you learn stuff in high school, incredibly vague and not necessarily accurate.

 

[Anamine]

Honestly I don't see nothing bad for studying a little during the break, I usually do an hour power study during my break a day and try relax the other 10 hours.

 

[Jas1360]

If you seriously want to start reading, I suggest buying the textbooks that are one edition old from somewhere like amazon. That way the book will be cheap.

Here are some books I have seen at various colleges:

Biology by Campbell
Chemistry by Tro

If you know which college you will be attending you could check their bookstore to see which books they use.