Book Description: This new non-majors biology textbook offers an engaging writing style, strong focus on scientific inquiry and evolution, an emphasis on applications and a superior pedagogical system within a concepts format. Content: This text takes a concepts approach, with up-to-date content delivered at a nonmajors level. Each chapter is built around a set of core concepts. Authorship: This is the only single-authored, non-majors text written by a Ph.D. biologist, who is an active, award-winning teacher from a well-respected research university. Scientific Inquiry: This text emphasizes science as a process and how scientists do their work. Evolution: Evolution is the central theme of the text and addressed in multiple ways throughout. Media: This text includes a multitude of media assets include learning outcomes, animations, videos, and quizzing. Applications: The text several features that highlight the relevance of topics to readers, including an opening essay, Burning Questions boxed readings, Can You Relate boxed readings, and applications woven throughout all chapters in the narrative. Art/Visuals: This text includes a brand new art program with a 3-dimensional look and feel, using consistent color and style throughout. Pedagogy: Leaning tools in this text include two-page chapter openers, numbered concepts, boxed readings, Mastering Concepts questions at the end of major sections, and substantive end-of-chapter assessment material. About the Author: Marielle Hoefnagels is assistant professor at the University of Oklahoma, where she teaches nonmajors courses in biology and microbiology, and a course on fungi for advanced botany and microbiology majors. She earned her B.S. in environmental science from the University of California at Riverside, her M.S. in soil science from North Carolina State University, and her Ph.D. in Botany and Plant Pathology from Oregon State University. Connect Plus ConnectPlus This version of Connect includes the full textbook as an integrated, dynamic ebook. ConnectPlus provides all of the Connect features plus the following: • An integrated, printable ebook, allowing for anytime, anywhere access to the textbook. • Dynamic links between the problems or questions you assign to your students and the location in the ebook where those problems or questions are covered. • You can assign fully integrated, self-study questions. • Pagination that exactly matches the printed text, allowing students to rely on ConnectPlus as the complete resource for your course. • Embedded media, including animations and videos. • Customize the text for your students by adding and sharing your own notes and highlights. LearnSmart - Bright futures begin with a smarter way to learn. LearnSmart monitors students' learning styles as it teaches and adapts instantly based on their performance. Measure-Assess and monitor students levels. Adapt-Provide interactive assessments based on strengths & weaknesses. Empower-Map out a personalized plan for successful learning. Proof: LearnSmart diagnoses students’ skill levels to determine what they’re good at and where they need help. Then, it delivers customized learning content based on their strengths and weakness. The result: students get the help they need, right when they need it — instead of getting stuck on lessons, or being continually frustrated with stalled progress. Probe: How could an effective learning system that diagnoses students’ skill levels to determine what they're good at and where they need help. Then, delivers customized learning content based on their strengths and weakness help level the playing field in your course