Instructor Resources for the Human Biology FREE Textbook

Instructor Resources for

Human Biology - An Introduction to the Body's Organization, Structure, and Function

Instructors commonly report that the costs of a textbook and a companion resources subscription are important considerations in their selection decision. However, the workload required to change textbooks can impact an instructor’s willingness to do so. To help alleviate this concern, we provide complimentary Instructor Resources for instructors who adopt the Human Biology - An Introduction to the Body's Organization, Structure, and Function textbook.

These resources will save you valuable time!

Chapter Image Files

Each of the 23 chapters (see Table of Contents) has a PowerPoint file with all the images. This resource makes it easy to add them to your current presentations.

Chapter Reading Study Guides (RSG)

Each of the 23 chapters has a Word document with the following sections: important terms, important figures (with additional notes), and a list of questions that parallels the chapter content. These Word documents can be easily customized and used by your students.

Simulation Activities

The author has created handouts to accompany Gizmos simulations associated with content in Chapters 1-13: scientific method, chemical bonding, pH, osmosis, enzyme action, DNA replication, transcription, translation, cellular respiration, blood typing, mitosis and meiosis, and the following systems: circulatory, respiratory, and urinary. Many of these topics are embedded within well-developed STEM case studies that utilize the scientific method.

Self-Assessment Worksheets

The author has created worksheets (Word documents) that provide students additional practice and feedback for Chapters 1-14. Each worksheet has a separate file with the answers.

But that's not all!

Instructors who adopt the textbook will complimentary access to the Companion Student Resources, which contains these additional resources:

Term pronunciation videos:
If students can’t correctly pronounce terms, they will likely not remember them or be able to use them confidently.
Terminology activities:
Includes flashcards, pick-a-letter, fill-in-the-blank, matching, crosswords, and a glossary.
Figure discussion videos:
More than 250 videos (typically 10 minutes or less) feature Professor Cushwa discussing textbook figures, followed by review questions and answers.
Chapter assessment activities:
These auto-graded activities may include matching, fill-in-the-blank, figure labeling, or multiple-choice questions. The chapter section associated with the question(s) is listed. Each question can be attempted three times before the correct answer is shown, and students can try the activities as many times as desired.
Chapter practice quizzes:
These auto-graded quizzes include 10 to 15 questions randomly selected from a pool. Each question can be attempted three times before the correct answer is shown, and students can take the quizzes as many times as desired.

REQUEST ACCESS

You could integrate one or more of these resources into your lectures or discussion sections as part of a “flipped” classroom.

If you require students to subscribe to the Companion Student Resources, the assessment activities and practice quiz scores could contribute to determining their course grades.

With the FREE textbook and a nominal fee for the Companion Student Resources ($28), your students will greatly appreciate saving money and you'll appreciate saving valuable time!

Adopt Human Biology and get access to the Instructor Resources and the Companion Student Resources.

REQUEST ACCESS

Frequently Asked Questions

Complete the form at the bottom of the page. Once we confirm your position, we’ll email with information to access the resources.

The Instructor Resources are available indefinitely once the form has been submitted and approved.

Yes, we will notify instructors of any additions or changes via the email addresses provided on the form. If you need to update your email address, change your password, etc. You can do that here (once you have a login).

No, the textbook PDF file is free for students to download.

No, the purchase of the Companion Student Resources is entirely optional. The textbook PDF file is available to all students, regardless of whether they use the companion resources or not.

No! We will reply to your request for access and send two “check-in” emails over the term to see if there are any issues or suggestions for improvement. Otherwise, you can contact us with questions or comments.

REQUEST ACCESS

The Instructor Resources align
with the textbook chapters:

Chapter 1 - Introduction to Human Biology and the Scientific Method
Chapter 2 - Chemistry and Life
Chapter 3 - Cells and Associated Topics
Chapter 4 - DNA, Genes, RNA, and Protein Synthesis
Chapter 5 - Digestive System (Note: Includes Histology)
Chapter 6 - Energy Considerations
Chapter 7 - Cardiovascular System I - Blood
Chapter 8 - Cardiovascular System II - Heart
Chapter 9 - Cardiovascular System III - Blood Vessels
Chapter 10 - Respiratory System
Chapter 11 - Endocrine System
Chapter 12 - Urinary System
Chapter 13 - Cell Division (Note: Includes Cancer)
Chapter 14 - Reproductive Systems
Chapter 15 - Skeletal System
Chapter 16 - Muscular System and Movement
Chapter 17 - Nervous System
Chapter 18 - Sensation, Somatosensation and Special Senses
Chapter 19 - Immune and Lymphatic Systems
Chapter 20 - Mendelian Genetics and Associated Topics
Chapter 21 - Evolution and Population Genetics
Chapter 22 - Molecular Biology and Biotechnology
Chapter 23 - Ecology, Populations, and Biodiversity

Who We Are

William Cushwa, PhD, is a career educator with over 30 years of combined teaching experience at the high school, community college, and university levels. In 2015, he decided to eliminate student textbook costs in his Human Biology course by compiling an OER textbook with OpenStax resources. Based on the positive feedback from other instructors and students, he embarked on a two-year project to compile a more comprehensive textbook (Human Biology - An Introduction to the Body’s Organization, Structure, and Function), that provides a no-cost alternative to traditional publisher options.

Biology411.com was established in 2023 to make this textbook available to students and various resources available to instructors who adopt it. Knowing that most Human Biology students will benefit from additional learning and assessment resources, Dr. Cushwa also created a companion student resource site. A 4.5-month subscription to the site is only $28.