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Students Are RAVING About The FREE Textbook

“I’ve never owned a biology book, but I found the information helpful with the study materials! It was explained in a way I could understand. I will be reading it again after the course, so thank you for the book!”

“The chapter activities and practice quizzes really helped me test my knowledge and solidify my understanding of the content presented in each chapter. Professor Cushwa provides many course resources, including StudyMate vocabulary activities, figure discussion videos, and so much more.”

“I really like the formatting of the textbook; it made it easier to read. Also, bolding the terms made it easy to find information about something I forgot about.”

“It was an excellent textbook that I intend to keep on my bookshelf for future reference.”

“I really enjoyed how the book presented the content, including the imagery and language.”

“I really like the extra resources. They helped me learn more about each chapter.”

Why Choose Our Textbook?

  • Clear and Concise Explanations: Learn about potentially complex topics with easy-to-understand language.
  • Helpful Illustrations: Concise, informative visuals are included throughout the textbook to complement the written content.
  • TED-Ed Videos: QR codes and links to more than 90 TED-Ed videos are included throughout the chapters so students can easily access concise yet entertaining information about topics and answers to questions.

  • Accessible Anywhere, Anytime: Download a digital copy to your device or print a physical copy for on-the-go learning.

But wait, there's more!

While the free textbook provides a solid foundation, many students find additional resources can significantly enhance their learning experience.

That's where our optional Companion Student Resources come in.

Reading Study Guides

This Word document contains three sections: a list of important terms, a list of figures with additional explanations, and a collection of study questions that parallel the reading. You can edit the document to include your answers to the questions, thus creating a helpful studying resource.

Figure Discussion Videos

These videos (typically 10 minutes or less) feature Professor Cushwa discussing a textbook figure, followed by review questions and answers. There are more than 250 videos in the 23 chapter modules.

Term Pronunciation Videos

If you can’t correctly pronounce terms, you 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.

Chapter Section Assessment Activities

These auto-graded activities may include matching, fill-in-the-blank, figure labeling, or multiple-choice questions. Each question can be attempted three times before the correct answer is shown, and you can try the activities as many times as desired.

Chapter Practice Quizzes

This auto-graded quiz includes 10 to 15 questions randomly selected from a pool. Each question can be attempted three times before the correct answer is shown, and you can take the quizzes as many times as desired.

Invest In Your Success
(without breaking the bank!)

The Companion Student Resources is an optional add-on, but it's a powerful tool to maximize your learning potential. For a minimal investment of just $28, you get 4.5 months of access to a wealth of resources designed to help you succeed in your human biology course. That's only $0.20 per day!

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  • Instant Access to Chapter 4 of the Companion Student Resources

  • Review the Chapter 4 resources and decide whether you want to invest in the Companion Student Resources

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SERIOUS STUDENTS

  • Free Textbook

  • Instant Access to ALL resources in the Companion Student Resources

  • Reading Study Guides

  • Term pronunciation videos

  • Terminology activities

  • Figure discussion videos

  • Chapter section assessment activities

  • Chapter practice quizzes

  • 4.5 months access for one low price

$28

I WANT IT ALL!

Topics covered in our Companion Student 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

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, the textbook download is free. Professor Cushwa is committed to using Open Education Resources (OERs) to save students money.

Possibly. Please ask your instructor if this option is available.

Yes! You can download and view the Table of Contents here, and you can access a free chapter (Chapter 4) here.

Click here to get INSTANT access to the textbook AND ALL of the Companion Student Resources which includes:

  • Reading Study Guide (RSG)

  • RSG Terms Pronunciation Video

  • StudyMate Vocabulary Activities

  • Figure Discussion Videos with Review Questions

  • Self-Assessment Activities

  • Practice Quiz

Click here to purchase access for 4.5 months for only $28.

No, HOWEVER the Companion Student Resources is a worthwhile investment, considering its tremendous number of learning and assessment resources. And the best part? It’s only $0.20 / day to get access to this fantastic resource!

Yes. There is a 5-day window when students can request a complete refund, no questions asked. 

Meet The Professor Behind The Textbook

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 companion student resources to help students like you solidify their understanding.

Equip yourself with everything you need to excel in your human biology course.

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