Engage non-science majors through digital innovations and captivating stories
The Fourth Edition of Biology Now offers a dynamic and cohesive learning experience. Our stories of science take an engaging digital form that motivates students to learn science, see it in the world around them, and become more scientifically literate.
Complete this form to receive Digital Access
“First Look” Videos
Students live and learn in digital landscapes. New chapter-opening “First Look” videos cinematically introduce the concepts and story told in each chapter to capture your students’ attention and leave them interested in learning more. All videos are narrated by Megan Scudellari—one of Biology Now’s authors, an award-winning science writer, and a master storyteller.
Watch some below!
This Chapter 1 “First Look” video introduces a tropical snail species that has continued to survive despite a predator species wiping out most other species on the island. Can this mystery of survival help scientists reduce extinction in other species?
Check Your Understanding Questions
Check Your Understanding questions found at the end of most chapter sections reinforce comprehension and boost students’ confidence with recalling key concepts. These regular, low-stakes checkpoints include feedback and are tied directly to learning objectives to sustain their attention.
All questions have been written by authors Anne Houtman and Cindy Malone and draw on their collective 40+ years of teaching non-major students.
“Evaluating Scientific Claims” Interactives
Our unique “Evaluating Scientific Claims” interactives found at the end of each chapter serve as a capstone to a student’s reading experience and provide an opportunity to apply what they’ve learned to real-world questions and claims. These interactives help students see biology in the world and build their scientific literacy.
Author Cindy Malone has extensively revised and written some new interactives to ensure that they are authentic and compelling for students—drawing on her experience teaching a diverse and non-traditional student body in Southern California.
New chapter stories
Three new stories on current discoveries and developments concerning COVID-19 (Chapter 4), airborne microplastics (Chapter 21), and the improbable survival of a snail species (Chapter 1) pull students into the exciting world of biology.
Debunked! feature
Detailed artwork
The figures and artwork throughout the text have been meticulously crafted to provide consistency in representations and ensure key concepts like cell structure, biomolecules, and cell function are made easier to understand.
About the Authors
Anne Houtman is the President of Earlham College and serves as Professor of Biology. She has over 25 years of experience teaching non-majors biology and is strongly committed to evidence-based, experiential education and the national dialogue on STEM.
Megan Scudellari is an award-winning freelance science writer and journalist, specializing in the life and environmental sciences. Megan has received various accolades and recognitions for outstanding reporting and writing, including the Evert Clark/Seth Payne Award.
Cindy Malone is a distinguished Associate Professor at California State University, Northridge and Director of the CSUN-UCLA Bridges to Stem Cell Research Program. Cindy has taught non-majors biology for over 15 years and has won curriculum enhancement and teaching awards.
What Instructors are Saying
“This book is truly phenomenal for non-majors. It is readable, has enough detail to be interesting and rigorous but not so much that students get overwhelmed. The stories connecting the ideas to real life are fantastic.”
–Krista Lucas, Pepperdine University
Core Version
The Core Version of Biology Now features 21 chapters that are at the root of every non-majors biology course.
With Physiology Version
Biology Now with Physiology is the core book with an additional unit (5 chapters) on human and plant physiology.
Customer Support
When you choose Norton, you receive on-demand support from a dedicated customer success manager who will consult on course design, integrate our tools into your LMS, and provide ongoing support. In a recent survey, 91 percent of instructors felt supported or very supported using Norton learning tools.
Image Credits: (New Chapter Stories Image) Zoological Society of London
Copyright © W. W. Norton & Company, Inc. 2024