Biology – CALM: Using Library Resources

Open Textbooks

Boundless – Biology
An open textbook on a variety of introductory biology topics.
Boundless – Microbiology
An open textbook on a variety of introductory microbiology topics.
OpenStax Biology
Free PDF introductory biology book.

Open Textbook Collections

Multimedia

YouTube
- Search YouTube by keyterms and try filtering by channel or “Creative Commons” license (these videos are specifically labeled for reuse).
- Some good channels:
  - YouTube-produced “CrashCourse” series
  - New Scientist
  - Science Magazine
  - Nature Video
  - The Company of Biologists (they also produce the Journal of Experimental Biology videos)
  - Bozeman Science
  - Stated Clearly
  - Videos by Armando Hasudungan (good example of using art to communicate science)
  - XVIVO Scientific Animation (professional-grade scientific animations with an emphasis on Biotechnology and medical sciences)
  - 23andME (videos about genes, human prehistory, variations, and genetic guides)
  - National Library of Medicine / National Institutes of Health (videos from the world’s largest medical library)
- Tip: try searching YouTube by the title of your favorite journal publication to see if that journal also produces a YouTube channel.
TED Talks – Biology / Animals / Microbiology / Alternative Energy / Bacteria / Biodiversity / Biotechnology / Climate change / DNA / Environment / Evolution / Genetics / Medicine / Nature / Neuroscience / Oceans / Sustainability
- A collection of TED Talks and playlists on Biology and related topics.
Khan Academy
- lecture videos from 1-30 minutes in length
Videos through the CSUSM Library
- Select “Books & More” tab and use these limits: Full Text Available Online and Audio Visual.
- Library Media Reserves, including Video on Demand option (allows you to stream videos to CSUSM students). Keep in mind that you should leave at least 1 week of lead time for processing these requests.
Podcasts

Ebooks in the Library

The CSUSM University Library has an extensive collection of ebooks on a variety of topics. To find what’s available:

Go to the University Library homepage
Choose “Books and More”
Enter keywords and search
Use the limiters to narrow by “Full Text Online” to ensure all results can be accessed directly from your computer
Limit by “Books” to filter out journals and media

Biology Ebooks – CSUSM Library

Journal Articles

Consider including journal articles as required or supplemental reading for your courses. Search through our biology databases for articles. Just be sure to direct students to the article by permalink (or static URL) rather than posting the PDF directly in your Cougar Course. This will ensure two things: 1) that we are complying with copyright and publisher restrictions, and 2) that our journal usage is counted (this allows us to justify maintaining our subscriptions).

This page provides examples illustrating how to find permalinks in the Library’s databases.

Please contact your librarian if you are still unsure of how to find the permalink.

Open Courseware

The Open Learning Initiative (OLI)
You can access course materials at no cost to the student or to you the instructor. Students work at their own pace, and can review modules before exams. Requires free registration.
MIT Open Courseware
Fundamentals of Biology focuses on the basic principles of biochemistry, molecular biology, genetics, and recombinant DNA. Course format includes, lecture videos, interactive concept quizzes (solution key), problem sets, terms and definitions, suggested topics and links, and exams (with solution key).
Saylor Foundation
This resource provides course learning outcomes, biology curriculum, and lecture videos embedded in the site. You can browse through the materials and pick and choose what you can apply to your course.
The Virtual Biology Labs
Rutgers University offers lab exercises in cell structure, cell reproduction, and chromosome structure and meiosis. Students will work through the labs with step by step instructions.

Other Open Educational Resources

Web Adventures From Rice University
This website offers interactive games that will teach students about the Scientific Method, Cholera, or the Pox Virus as if they were the scientist researching the disease.
Classroom Explorations

Classroom Explorations offers activities that will teach your students about traits of life, microscopy, math in science, research tools, genetics, and developmental biology.
Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) BioInteractive Lectures

BioInteractive offers lectures and other free resources on biology topics.
Royal Society of Biology Open Education Resources
A collection of OERs aimed at supporting teaching practical biology in higher education.

Other CSUSM Library Resources

More information about finding and using library resources can be found on the Biology Research Guide.

Suggestions

Have a good idea for a free resource? Tell us about it! Email your subject specialist.