biology textbook

<p>I checked the website and it requires that we have the 9th edition, but is it ok to have an 8th edition? Does it really matter? The 9th edition is the newest one and it's so expensive compared to the earlier editions... any suggestion as to which one I should purchase??</p>

<p>Well, either go online to see if you can get the newest edition, 9th edition, for cheaper.</p>

<p>Or, you can check to see how many changes were made with the 9th edition. Oftentimes, there are not too many changes with each new edition, except for different pagination and maybe one or more new sections added. However, there could be a significant overhaul if certain topics have to be updated. Though this tends to be rare with updated editions. Is there any way you can go to a textbook bookstore and check on differences between the 8th and 9th editions of this book? OR call the publisher and inquire about the changes made in the 9th edition.</p>

<p>Just remember if you are able to stick with your 8th edition, you will have to be careful about matching up assigned readings to your 8th edition. Make sure you are reading the right pages and chapters since the pages tend to change and chapters/ topics may be rearranged.</p>

<p>One of my friends had an older edition last year and said that it was definitely workable, but that it was really annoying to have to match up all the pages for all of the chapters. Personally, I’m going to get the 9th edition just because I don’t want the added stress of having to make sure that I’m studying the correct material.
That being said, if you don’t mind making that extra effort, you can definitely get by with an older edition, and the professors usually keep one or two copies of the correct edition on reserve at Bobst so you can compare the two editions and figure out what you need to match up.
Also, I’ve heard that for a lot of the professors for Bio, the lectures are more important than the book, so having the most up-to-date edition might not really be that important. (I’m not entirely sure about that though)</p>

<p>I assume you’re talking about Bio 101 and 102 (Principles of Biology)? If so, the 8th edition is definitely ok. I’m taking this class over the summer and the professor said the 8th OR 9th edition is ok, and he is one of the professors who teaches it in the Fall and Spring too. There is not a significant difference between the two.</p>