Chem 130 Textbook

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Michigan
1

<p>I just bought the textbook for Chem 130 for $165 new at a bookstore. I was wondering if the custom U of M edition is really necessary since I can get the regular 9th edition of the book for less.</p>

<p>Here is what it says about the textbook on Ctools:
The required textbook for CHM 130 is Ebbing/Gammon, "General Chemistry", 9th edition, Custom Version for the University of Michigan. This edition has been specially designed to save students money, by:
- including textbook material that corresponds precisely to the course syllabus
- including the partial solutions manual under the same cover.</p>

2

<p>How much would you save by getting the 9th edition? I’m pretty sure you can buy the 9th edition, but you probably have to buy the OWL access separately.</p>

3

<p>return the book immediately, you over paid by like $130. Just get the regular version.</p>

4

<p>We need books already?</p>

5

<p>I got mine for 83 bucks off of ebay, regular edition though. And I do have to buy the OWL separately but it’s like 30 bucks so no biggy.</p>

6

<p>So it is not necessary to get the U of M edition?</p>

7

<p>the textbook is virtually useless; other than supplementing lecture slides, it’s garbage.</p>

8

<p>Just wondering, are the lecture slides available online for this class? Or do you have to take really good notes (since the book is apparently useless)?</p>

9

<p>book isn’t useless, it’s actually pretty decent. Custom edition=useless. </p>

<p>what is OWL? Whatever it is, you don’t need it. Grade = 3 exams + quizzes in discussion + online (SAMS) hw</p>

10

<p>^ well there isn’t any sams hw anymore for chem, last yr it was OWL, so i guess sams is outdated now, for hw at least.</p>

11

<p>hmmm, that’s odd. SAMS hw was actually pretty nice.</p>

12

<p>and free lol</p>

13

<p>Blackpen, could you explain why the custom edition is useless? I kind of like the fact that the partial solutions are in it haha, and I don’t mind paying a lot if its going to be helpful</p>

14

<p>yeah Blackpen, I’m trying to decide between both versions and was wondering if the extra money is worth it…</p>

15

<p>The bookstores always overcharge for books. If you really want solutions, I’m sure you can buy the solutions elsewhere for a low cost. In addition, the custom edition omits all the chapters the class does not cover: less bang for your buck. </p>

<p>Go with the regular edition and buy the solutions separately if you really think you’ll need them. </p>

<p>This advice is from when there was SAMS hw, so I’m not sure if it the situation is the same. Apparently, you have to buy access to OWL (whatever that is) idk.</p>

16

<p>dont buy the solutions book. its useless. i think you’ll rarely use the chem textbook too. well unless you’re like me who slept thru chem morning lectures, then that’s a diff story lol :)</p>

17

<p>i agree with black pen for the reasons he or she gave. dont get the custom edition. its more expensive, paper cover is fragile, and omits the chapters the school doesnt use. if you choose to resell it you can resell it to people from any university on amazon or half whereas if its the umich custom it may omit stuff that other schools use. see if you can borrow students from a friend bc there will probably be a lot of students taking chem 130 with you.</p>

18

<p>can u buy the previous edition or is the 9th edition way different?</p>

19

<p>for most classes an older edition is fine. I would get my hands on a newer book via the library or a friend and compare them just be sure. In most cases the actual text and figures don’t change; they are just moved around.</p>

20

<p>any other opinions on whether the solutions part is helpful / neccesary? I can find lots of 8th edition solution books for about $4</p>