Jones & Bartlett Learning Science Blog

Great news, Essential Genetics and Genomics by Daniel L. Hartl, PhD recently received a 5-star review. According to Luis F Escobar, MD., MS., from Peyton Manning Children's Hospital writing for Doody's Review Service,

I use Lewin’s Essential Genes to teach an upper-level undergraduate course in Molecular Genetics. In addition to classroom lecture and written assignments, I also use the online discussion platform Packback to encourage students to help each other clarify in-class material, explore related questions and issues, and discuss current news and events in the discipline. Each student’s participation in the discussion is worth 10% of their final grade. Each week, a student can earn up to 10 points: 6 points for posing a question, and 2 points each for responding to questions posed by two other students. They are encouraged to support their posts with online links and photos. The quality of their posts is evaluated by AI algorithms, and if a post doesn’t meet minimum standards, it is flagged and the student has the opportunity to remove it or to revise and resubmit. As an instructor, I can choose to participate in the discussion or to stay out of it, and can highlight posts I’d like the class to read. Sometimes in class, I’ll feature an issue that was originally brought up in discussion.

Now in its eighth edition, Invitation to Oceanography is known as a modern, comprehensive, and student-friendly introduction to the field. One of the key updates to the Eighth Edition is the addition of Complexity Theory—a scientific breakthrough for understanding and managing Earth’s systems. Below, author Paul Pinet walks through the “what,” “why,” and “how” of Complexity Theory.

Dr. Daniel Hartl, Higgins Professor of Biology at Harvard University and author of best-selling textbook Essential Genetics and Genomics, Seventh Edition shares tips for students to improve their study and problem-solving skills.

We recently sat down with Dr. Hartl at his Harvard University office to discuss his latest textbook, Essential Genetics and Genomics, Seventh Edition. At the end of a long hallway with working research laboratories on either side is Dan's comfortable corner office. Surrounded by DNA models and floor-to-ceiling shelves packed with genetics textbooks and other biological science references, he explained to us why he wrote the textbook.