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Microbiology

(23 reviews)

Nina Parker, Shenandoah University

Copyright Year: 2016

ISBN 13: 9781938168147

Publisher: OpenStax CNX

Language: English

Formats Available

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CC BY

Reviews

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Reviewed by Melissa Kelley, Assistant Professor, Western Oregon University on 8/22/23

Overall this is a really comprehensive textbook covering microbiology for allied health majors, as it focuses largely on microbiology affecting humans. Since this is geared towards non-majors microbiology, according to the intro, I think to get... read more

Reviewed by Dale Horeth, Associate Professor, Tidewater Community College on 2/18/23

Most topics that should be covered in an Introductory Microbiology course were addressed quite thoroughly, with the exception of the ecological side of microbiology and bioterrorism. While biogeochemical cycling was briefly covered, a more... read more

Reviewed by Holly Martin, Assistant Professor, Northern Essex Community College on 11/3/22

The textbook covers all necessary topics for a first semester survey into General Microbiology. The book is easy to navigate through its index and glossary. read more

Reviewed by Brittney Dinkel, Assistant Professor of Biology, Buena Vista University on 10/12/21

Overall, this book has a nice broad coverage of the topics covered in a general microbiology course. The clinical cases associated with the chapters provide a great introduction to engage students and tie the information to problems they may... read more

Reviewed by Melissa Kelley, Assistant Professor, Western Oregon University on 5/14/21

This is a great general microbiology textbook! I do think the book would benefit from a dedicated chapter on microbial ecology and/or environmental microbiology. There are several sections of different chapters that address the diversity of... read more

Reviewed by Joseph Battistelli, Assistant Professor of Lecture, Virginia Commonwealth University on 3/27/20

This covers the basics of microbiology, starting with a brief history of microbiology and the impact microbes have had on humans. The text covers the application of genetics in Microbiology research, microbial metabolism to provide a background on... read more

Reviewed by Lori Banks, Assistant Professor, Bates College on 3/11/20

The breadth of topics covered would be good for a range of at least undergraduate-level micro courses. This is definitely a strength of the text. read more

Reviewed by Michael Roner, Associate Professor, University of Texas at Arlington on 2/8/20

The comprehensiveness of the text is in line with a commercial publisher's Microbiology text. The approach is different, and this text spends the initial several chapters introducing the topic of Microbiology in a survey type fashion. Instructors... read more

Reviewed by Hatajai Lassiter, Teacher & Scholar Postdoctoral Fellow, James Madison University on 1/9/20

This textbook authored by Nina Parker et al. is a phenomenal OER with extensive coverage of fundamental microbiological topics for an audience of majors and/or allied health undergraduate students in alignment with curriculum guidelines of the... read more

Reviewed by Cathy Sistilli, Professor, Biological Sciences, OhioLink on 7/29/19

This OER is simply amazing! Every topic, and issues within that topic, is covered. For a health sciences course this book has all that is needed including "Clinical Focus" scenarios in every chapter. read more

Reviewed by Mursheda Ali, Biology Faculty, Metropolitan State University of Denver on 7/22/19

This book is a well described source for general microbiology.Most of the terminology is well described. Its largest limitayion is the lack of industrial specifically in biofuels and ecological microbiology applications. read more

Reviewed by Dara Wegman-Geedey, Professor of Biology, Augustana College on 7/18/19

I've used this text for two sections of microbiology in the past year and felt that only three topics are missing from this text: up to date information on genetic transfer mechanisms, the glycolytic alternative pathways (which I use to discuss... read more

Reviewed by Tanganika Johnson, Instructor , Southern University on 4/29/19

This book is a well written and good source for a general microbiology course. The information is easy to follow and covers the most important topics in microbiology. The glossary is clear and concise read more

Reviewed by Jennifer Robison, Visiting Assistant Professor, Manchester University on 4/8/19

This book is a well rounded source for general microbiology. Its largest shortcoming is the lack of industrial and ecological microbiology applications. There is some but it would benefit from having an entire chapter specifically devoted to these... read more

Reviewed by Jessalyn Sabin, Instructor, Hibbing Community College on 6/19/18

The text was comprehensive in its approach to all of the fundamental topics of Microbiology. I did not see a section that was missing for my course, and the detail and connection that each section made to disease processes, even in the units... read more

Reviewed by Hossam Ashour, Endowed Associate Professor, University of South Florida Saint Petersburg on 3/27/18

The text is reasonably comprehensive. It covers most important areas of Microbiology. read more

Reviewed by James Herrick, Associate Professor, James Madison University on 2/1/18

The text covers all the standard, indispensable topics of microbiology, plus others that are often found in Allied Health Micro texts, such as infections of the skin & eye, respiratory system, etc. It is very comparable to the text I... read more

Reviewed by Mohannad Al-Saghir, Associate Professor of Biology , Ohio University on 2/1/18

The textbook is comprehensive an covers all concepts of microbiology clearly. Information is easy to follow. The glossary is clear and concise. This is book is very suitable for non Microbiology majors like Nursing program . read more

Reviewed by Edward Johnson, Professor of Human Biology, Central Oregon Community College on 8/15/17

This is a six-chapter, comprehensive textbook that would be easily covered in a 10-week quarter term, but may have less material to sustain a 15-week semester term. The six chapters are appropriate for an introductory course in microbiology, but... read more

Reviewed by Judith Coston, Professor, Bossier Parish Community College on 6/20/17

The textbook covers all concepts of microbiology appropriately and clearly. Information is easy to locate. The glossary is clear and concise. read more

Reviewed by Wanda Haberer, Program Director, Alexandra Technical and Community College on 2/8/17

This microbiology textbook is well suited for the non-major microbiology majors though it would an excellent foundation for any science career. There are twenty-six chapters or units with five appendices. It is comprehensive in that it contains... read more

Reviewed by Theresa Hornstein, Biology Faculty, Lake Superior College on 2/8/17

Microbiology covers the majority of topics found in a first-year microbiology text with a distinct leaning toward medical microbiology. While one section covers the role of microbes in biogeochemical cycles, the majority deals with human... read more

Reviewed by Renee Guyer, Instructor, South Central College on 2/8/17

I greatly appreciate that this text aligns with the curriculum guidelines of the American Society of Microbiology. Frankly that was what made me comfortable even looking at the text. The text is designed for a one semester course and I can't... read more

Table of Contents

  • 1 An Invisible World
  • 2 How We See the Invisible World
  • 3 The Cell
  • 4 Prokaryotic Diversity
  • 5 The Eukaryotes of Microbiology
  • 6 Acellular Pathogens
  • 7 Microbial Biochemistry
  • 8 Microbial Metabolism
  • 9 Microbial Growth
  • 10 Biochemistry of the Genome
  • 11 Mechanisms of Microbial Genetics
  • 12 Modern Applications of Microbial Genetics
  • 13 Control of Microbial Growth
  • 14 Antimicrobial Drugs
  • 15 Microbial Mechanisms of Pathogenicity
  • 16 Disease and Epidemiology
  • 17 Innate Nonspecific Host Defenses
  • 18 Adaptive Specific Host Defenses
  • 19 Diseases of the Immune System
  • 20 Laboratory Analysis of the Immune Response
  • 21 Skin and Eye Infections
  • 22 Respiratory System Infections
  • 23 Urogenital System Infections
  • 24 Digestive System Infections
  • 25 Circulatory and Lymphatic System Infections
  • 26 Nervous System Infections

Fundamentals of Physics and Chemistry Important to Microbiology
Mathematical Basics
Metabolic Pathways
Taxonomy of Clinically Relevant Microorganisms
Glossary

Ancillary Material

  • OpenStax CNX
  • About the Book

    Microbiology covers the scope and sequence requirements for a single-semester microbiology course for non-majors. The book presents the core concepts of microbiology with a focus on applications for careers in allied health. The pedagogical features of the text make the material interesting and accessible while maintaining the career-application focus and scientific rigor inherent in the subject matter. Microbiology's art program enhances students' understanding of concepts through clear and effective illustrations, diagrams, and photographs.

    About the Contributors

    Author

    Dr. N. Parker is dedicated to work in a collegiate academic environment to provide a foundation of knowledge for a lifetime of learning to undergraduate and graduate students primarily in the areas of Health Care Professions, Microbiology and Immunology. Incorporates problem based learning in classes to assist students to develop critical decision and analytical problem solving skills. Trains students in the laboratory to become competent and proficient in skills routinely used in Microbiology and Immunology. Includes training students in professional and ethical behavior in the workplace in both the classroom and laboratory.

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