The Oxford University Press Biosciences Student Panel have been busy reviewing our newest textbooks.
Here's what they thought...
Molecular Biology of RNA by David Elliott and Michael Ladomery
"This book, “Molecular Biology of RNA" is a textbook which has little to fault and much to be proud of. This book was incredibly useful for my course and should be of immense help to anyone undertaking a final year course in any aspect of molecular biology. The book is broken down into sensible topics and brings the student through quite complex science in simple to understand steps. It starts from basics, not assuming a detailed knowledge of biochemistry, and so is suitable for students of the whole range biological sciences."
Timothy Hearn, University of Birmingham
Experimental Design for the Life Sciences | Third Edition by Graeme Ruxton and Nick Colegrave
"It’s a book which relieves the panic of a third year project, whilst its cheeky written word and cover puts a smile on your face."
Katherine Williams, Essex University
Clinical Biochemistry by Nessar Ahmed
"The chapters perfectly meet the needs of undergraduate biomedical science students as the practical and professional skills in a range of disciplines are clearly described."
Samaneh Khalaj, Aston University
Chemistry for the Biosciences, The essential concepts | Second Edition by Jonathan Crowe & Tony Bradshaw
"The use of “self-check” questions is excellent, and have been placed at very realistic and useful intervals – at times I found myself asking a similar question to test my understanding, and then found a self-check a few lines later, which is a sure sign that the book is anticipating the needs of the students perfectly.
Kirsty MacLeod, St. Andrews University
Introduction to Protein Science | Second Edition by Arthur M. Lesk
"I found many learning features within the chapter useful, with good summaries at the end of sections helping to form a mental checklist and which were concise and to the point."
Aimee Miller, University of York
Cell Signalling by John T. Hancock
"The breadth of content included is good, it covers a variety of techniques and explains them well enough for a basic understanding and directs the reader to further papers if they choose to increase this level of detail. I think this is a great way of encouraging self-study."
Charlotte Dunbar, University of York
Study and Communication Skills for the Biosciences by Aysha Divan
"Aysha Divan has got the content of the book just right. The chapters go into the right amount of detail and provide lots of lovely references for further reading, the vast majority of which I have never been told about before. Many of the chapters would also be very useful to undergraduates gaining experience in a lab or writing up final year projects/dissertations. I would wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone doing an undergraduate degree, masters or PhD; I would even say that most Post Docs would learn a thing or two!"
James Sleigh, University of Bath
Biomeasurement by Dawn Hawkins
"Even from reading the first chapter only it is clear that the writer has put some thought into making the book entertaining to read. Oddly, it has worked! Her style of writing is casual, readable and humorous. This simple and ‘easy to read’ style makes the book inviting to use. The writer has achieved something I thought was impossible and made statistics interesting/appealing to study!"
Bethan Clifford, University of Nottingham
Zoo Animals by Geoff Hosey, Vicky Melfi & Sheila Pankhurst
"It has certainly opened my eyes to a whole host of fields and career opportunities I’d never previously heard of let alone considered."
Nicola Yvonne Edwards, St. Andrews University
Study and Communication Skills for the Biosciences by Stuart Johnson & Jon Scott
"This book is very easy to use and contains guidelines on everything you will encounter over the course of your bioscience degree, from how to prepare for lectures right through to how to revise and answer exam questions. Speaking from personal experience, the move from college/sixth-form to university is a big step and the process of learning is significantly different."
Roweida Sammour, Leeds University
The Human Body - An Introduction for Biomedical and Health Sciences by Gillian Pocock & Christopher D. Richards
"This is a fantastic introductory text for students embarking on studies in the related areas of Biomedical and Health Sciences. The book encapsulates the broad spectrum of molecular, histological, anatomical and physiological functions of the human body presenting the information in a concise and formative manner."
Corwin Hine, Queen Mary University
Exploring Proteins - A student's guide to experimental skills and methods by Nicholas Price & Jacqueline Nairn
"It is a lot clearer that many other textbooks that I have used as the page layout is very well arranged, highlighting examples so that they are easy to follow and the written text is easy to digest and understand."
Aimee Procter, Liverpool John Moores University
