Practical Skills in Biology, Seventh Edition

Master the Practical Side of Biology 🔬

Biology is a hands-on science, and Practical Skills in Biology, Seventh Edition is built around that reality. Whether you are preparing for your first undergraduate lab session or refining techniques for a research project, this widely used textbook walks you through the methods, calculations, and study habits that turn theoretical knowledge into confident practice.

A Complete Toolkit for Lab and Field

Across more than 80 focused chapters, the book covers everything from basic laboratory safety and solution preparation to advanced analytical techniques like spectroscopy, chromatography, and electrophoresis. You will also find guidance on collecting specimens, using microscopes, culturing microbes, and conducting environmental investigations. Each chapter is designed to be dipped into when you need it, with clear explanations and practical tips.

New and Updated in the Seventh Edition

The seventh edition has been reorganised to reflect the changing needs of biology students. It adds three dedicated chapters on working with bacteria, eukaryotic microbes, and viruses, plus a new chapter on assaying biomolecules. The material on software and online sources has been revised to match the digital fluency of today’s learners, and the study exercises have been retained to help you check your understanding.

From Data to Discovery 📊

Good science depends on good data handling. The later sections of the book explain how to manipulate raw data, use spreadsheets, create tables and graphs, solve numerical problems, and apply descriptive and inferential statistics. Worked examples and practice problems make these skills accessible, even if maths has never been your strongest subject.

Who Will Benefit

• Undergraduate biology students who need a reliable reference for lab reports and practical assessments.
• Project and dissertation students looking for clear protocols and data analysis guidance.
• Educators and lab instructors seeking a comprehensive teaching companion.
• Anyone returning to biology who wants to refresh essential techniques.

Why It Works

Rather than treating practical skills as an afterthought, this book places them at the centre of learning. The authors—Allan Jones, Rob Reed, and Jonathan Weyers—have decades of experience teaching biology, and their straightforward, supportive style helps you build competence and confidence step by step. If you want to feel more prepared, more accurate, and more capable in the lab or field, this edition is an excellent investment in your scientific training.

📚 Add Practical Skills in Biology, Seventh Edition to your digital shelf today and make every practical session count.