<p>Hi I'm taking Bio 2960 next semester and was just wondering if I'll be ok if I have an older edition. I think mine is a 2012 edition, and they require a 2013 edition. Will I be ok on tests or should I buy the newer edition? Thanks!</p>
<p>I’ve never taken Bio 2960 so I can’t be sure, but let me take a stab at your question:</p>
<p>Content-wise, you should be fine. The two editions will differ VERY slightly from each other in material covered. In almost every case, new editions of textbooks are only produced to earn more money and not because a new edition is necessary.</p>
<p>Now, in the case of engineering students, it can be problematic to have an old edition because one of the things that often changes between editions is the practice problems in each chapter. Engineering students are typically assigned these practice problems for homework, so it’s important to have the new edition so every homework problem is up-to-date. However, Bio 2960 is (for the most part) a huge amount of memorization and it doesn’t seem to me like the kind of course that would use textbook problems for homework. I feel like the professor would probably assign his own problem sets because most of the material covered in Bio 2960 is conceptual things that must be memorized, not math problems. So I’m going to GUESS that you’re fine with a slightly outdated edition.</p>
<p>Again, I haven’t taken Bio 2960 so you should wait for a definitive answer from someone who has taken the course.</p>
<p>I agree with ravenzcroft, older editions of the book are fine. I took 2960, and the book was used as a complementary source, rather than the focus of the course. Older editions are pretty much the same, anyways.</p>
<p>RyanMK,
If the book was used as a complementary, what was the main source? It seems like that the textbook is not used effectively. Right?</p>
<p>Lectures…</p>
<p>Asides from the Bio textbook, I saw that we should get iclickers for extra credit. I decided to buy a used one, but does anyone know how this iclicker process works? So if I have an iclicker, that means I would have to attend the section that I am registered for, right?</p>
<p>@smileygurl116</p>
<p>I took this class back in 2010 so this might be a little outdated. From what I remember, there was an iClicker question a certain percentage of the lectures [a little more than half maybe? this might have changed]. From the percentage of the iClicker questions you answer in your designated section, that percentage of 1% of your final course grade will be added to your grade. Note that this is the questions ANSWERED (i.e. you don’t actually have to get it right). This extra credit is really minimal in the end. I don’t think it really changed that many people’s grades and if so only (obviously) 1/3 a letter change (i.e. B to a B+ or B+ to an A-). In the end you can only miss 8 or so of these clicker questions or you won’t be eligible for any extra credit. </p>
<p>I suspect (especially in a class so large) that some people give their iClickers to others in the class just to get that minimal extra credit. Trust me, this isn’t worth it [Why would you risk getting expelled over 0.02-4%… kinda pointless if you ask me.] </p>
<p>Anyway, good luck with Bio I next semester. There will be a large amount of material you will need to study. As I’ve reiterated on here many times, make sure not to fall into the trap that you’re done studying because you recognize the material. This may have been enough studying in high school but it definitely isn’t in college. I recommend that once you think you’ve done enough, put away all of your notes, take a practice exam and see if you truly know it. If you can’t answer the questions perfectly (GRADE TOUGH on yourself, the TAs won’t go easy) then you’ve got more review to do. In my year, the averages were around 50-60, now they have got up to 65-75. This means there is much less room for error and you’ve got to be extra diligent.</p>
<p>@erkybk</p>
<p>Like ravnzcroft says, most of the tested material is from lectures; the book is used basically as a review of what was covered in class. Personally, I didn’t use the book much, so no, I don’t believe it was used efficiently. However, different people have different styles, so it may be different for you.</p>
<p>@smiley, I think your question was answered well</p>
<p>Thank you, RyanMK.</p>
<p>Not a problem, I’m always happy to help. Ravnzcroft (and marcdvl, johnson, onecot, among others) have done great jobs as well.</p>
<p>So does that mean I have to go to my required section or can I go to the other one if I want to use my clicker? Thanks for answering!</p>
<p>Well, you can go to the other section, but I don’t remember if they’ll accept the iClicker stuff.</p>
<p>You can only use the clicker in your section. The clicker computer program uses the class roster, which is one roster per section.</p>
<p>How long does the bio lab usually take?</p>
<p>Bio labs are really quick and easy - most take an hour, hour and a half at most. Chem labs on the other hand are a pain :P</p>
<p>Wait, are you already a student at WashU? I’d imagine the facebook groups may be helpful for this as well (assuming you can get people to respond over break).</p>
<p>I’d rather ask questions here because I like the responses I get. Thanks to everyone who has responded and helped me out!! It’s been so helpful. Another question (sorry for so many): Do I need the access card with the textbook? I bought the book used at the lock and chain book sale, but I don’t know if the textbook has an access card in it. Thanks for taking time to answer questions! I really appreciate it.</p>
<p>Once again, I haven’t taken bio but I can tell you that no class I’ve ever taken has required any of the textbook discs or access cards.</p>
<p>Nope, no access cards are needed. It’s pretty safe to think of science textbooks as glorified study guides; getting the cheapest you can find usually works.</p>