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Results: 10 Open Textbooks
Sustainability: A Comprehensive Foundation
Author(s): Tom Theis, University of Illinois, Jonathan Tomkin, University of Illinois
Updated: Jun 11, 2019
Description: With “Sustainability: A Comprehensive Foundation”, first and second-year college students are introduced to this expanding new field, comprehensively exploring the essential concepts from every branch of knowledge – including engineering and the applied arts, natural and social sciences, and the humanities. As sustainability is a multi-disciplinary area of study, the text is the product of multiple authors drawn from the diverse faculty of the University of Illinois: each chapter is written by ...[more]
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Environmental Science: A Canadian Perspective
Author(s): Bill Freedman, Dalhousie University
Updated: May 16, 2019
Description: This textbook is intended to provide the core elements of a curriculum for teaching environmental science at the introductory level in Canadian colleges and universities. This book is suitable for students beginning a program in environmental science, environmental studies, or sustainability. It is also appropriate for arts students who require a science elective, and for science students who require a non-major elective. This book was written from the ground-up to provide Canadian information ...[more]
Adopted
Practical Meteorology: An Algebra-based Survey of Atmospheric Science
Author(s): Roland Stull, UBC
Updated: May 10, 2019
Description: The author designed this book for students and professionals who want to understand and apply basic meteorological concepts, but who don’t need to derive equations. To make this book accessible to more people, the author converted the equations into algebra. With algebraic approximations to the atmosphere, you can see the physical meaning of each term and you can plug in numbers to get usable answers. No previous knowledge of meteorology is needed — the book starts from the ...[more]
Adopted
Physical Geology
Author(s): Steven Earle, Thompson Rivers University
Updated: May 9, 2019
Description: Physical Geology is a comprehensive introductory text on the physical aspects of geology, including rocks and minerals, plate tectonics, earthquakes, volcanoes, glaciation, groundwater, streams, coasts, mass wasting, climate change, planetary geology and much more. It has a strong emphasis on examples from western Canada, especially British Columbia, and also includes a chapter devoted to the geological history of western Canada. The book is a collaboration of faculty from Earth Science depar...[more]
Adopted Accessible
British Columbia in a Global Context
Author(s): Arthur Green, Okanagan College, Siobhan McPhee, University of British Columbia, Aviv Ettya, University of the Fraser Valley, Britta Ricker, Simon Fraser University, Cristina Temenos, Simon Fraser University
Updated: May 9, 2019
Description: This first year geography textbook takes a holistic approach to geography by incorporating elements of physical, human and regional geography, as well as bringing in methods and perspectives from spatial information science.. This textbook applies a fundamental geographical approach to understanding our globally changing world by looking at local processes which are linked to larger global processes and events. For example, mining and its effects are a global issue and we can see how these unfo...[more]
Faculty reviewed Adopted Ancillary Resources
World Regional Geography
Author(s): Caitlin Finlayson, University of Mary Washington
Updated: May 9, 2019
Description: World Regional Geography presents an overview of the discipline by introducing students to key themes and concepts in the discipline of geography through a study of the world’s regions. This text approaches geography as experts understand the discipline, focusing on connections and an in-depth understanding of core themes. This thematic approach, informed by pedagogical research, provides students with an introduction to thinking geographically. This text emphasizes depth over breadth by arrang...[more]
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Geographic Information System Basics
Author(s): Jonathan E. Campbell, UCLA, Michael Shin, UCLA
Updated: May 9, 2019
Description: Essentials of Geographic Information Systems integrates key concepts behind the technology with practical concerns and real-world applications. Recognizing that many potential GIS users are nonspecialists or may only need a few maps, this book is designed to be accessible, pragmatic, and concise. Essentials of Geographic Information Systems also illustrates how GIS is used to ask questions, inform choices, and guide policy. From the melting of the polar ice caps to privacy issues associated wit...[more]
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Nature of Geographic Information
Author(s): David DiBiase, Penn State
Updated: May 9, 2019
Description: The purpose of this text is to promote understanding of the Geographic Information Science and Technology enterprise (GIS&T, also known as "geospatial").
Adopted
Forest Measurements: An Applied Approach
Author(s): Joan DeYoung, Mt. Hood Community College, OpenOregon
Updated: May 9, 2019
Description: This is a forest measurements textbook written for field technicians. Silvicultural applications and illustrations are provided to demonstrate the relevance of the measurements. Special “technique tips” for each skill are intended to help increase data collection accuracy and confidence. These include how to avoid common pitfalls, effective short cuts, and essentials for recording field data correctly. The emphasis is on elementary skills; it is not intended to be a timber cruising guide.
Environmental Biology
Author(s): Matthew R. Fisher, Editor, Open Oregon
Updated: May 9, 2019
Description: Environmental Biology enables students to develop a nuanced understanding of today’s most pressing environmental issues. This text helps students grasp the scientific foundation of these issues so that they can better understand the world around them and their impact upon it. This open textbook covers the most salient environmental issues, from a biological perspective. The text is designed for an introductory-level college science course. Topics include the fundamentals of ecology, biodivers...[more]
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