Dear fellow Ecolog-L subscribers: My departmental colleagues and I are debating the merits of freshman biology textbooks, specifically customized- v. full-content textbooks. One of the arguments for having students obtain the (more expensive) full-content textbook is that it facilitates studying for standardized exams such as the GRE. Before my colleagues and I decide on which textbooks to go with, I thought it might be a good idea to take a quick-and-dirty poll to see how many scientists used their freshman biology textbook (as opposed to something like a Petersen's GRE prep guide, or else in addition to GRE prep guides) to prepare for the GRE biology subject test. So, if possible, would you email me your response to the following two questions?
QUESTION 1. How would you rate the usefulness of your freshman biology textbook in studying for the GRE biology subject test? Please choose only one of the following: 1 = I did NOT use my freshman biology textbook at all. 2 = I rarely consulted my freshman biology textbook. 3 = I sometimes consulted my freshman biology textbook. 4 = I often consulted my freshman biology textbook. 5 = I studied EXCLUSIVELY from my freshman biology textbook. QUESTION 2. From which undergraduate institution did you earn your baccalaureate degree? Thank you in advance for your input into this important matter. If I get a substantial number of replies, I will gladly post a summary of the responses to this listserve. All my best, Alex Olvido, Assistant Professor
