The Sciences: An Integrated Approach

by James S. Trefil, Robert M. Hazen

The Sciences: An Integrated Approach, 9th Edition by James Trefil and Robert Hazen recognizes that science forms a seamless web of knowledge about the universe. This text fully integrates physics, chemistry, astronomy, Earth sciences, and biology and emphasizes general principles and their application to real world situations. The goal of the text is to help students achieve scientific literacy. Applauded by students and instructors for its easy-to-read style and detail appropriate for non-science majors, the ninth edition has been updated to bring the most up-to-date coverage to the students in all areas of science, with increased emphasis on climate change, sustainability, viruses and public health, and an extensively updated chapter on the importance of bioengineering. FEATURES INCLUDE: The Science of Life - To help show the interdisciplinary nature of the many concepts introduced in the text, sections on living things are included in most chapters. The chapters that emphasize principles specifically related to life are at the end of the book, but the biological examples appear throughout. The Ongoing Process of Science - Science is a never-ending process of asking questions and seeking answers. In these features, some of the most exciting questions currently being addressed by scientists are examined. Mathematical Equations and Worked Examples - Whenever an equation is introduced, it is presented in three steps: first as a sentence, second as a word equation, and finally in its traditional symbolic form. In this way, students can focus on the meaning rather than the abstraction of the mathematics. An appendix on English and SI units is also included. Science by the Numbers - To help students understand the importance of simple mathematical calculations in areas of magnitude, several nontraditional calculations have been incorporated. For example, how much solid waste is generated in the United States, how long it would take to erode a mountain, and how many people were required to build Stonehenge. Great Ideas and Great Ideas Concept - Each chapter begins with a statement of a great unifying idea or theme in science and a concept map so that students immediately grasp the chief concept of the chapter and how the idea relates to the different branches of science. These statements are intended to provide a framework for placing everyday experiences into a broad context. Stop and Think! Questions challenge students to think critically about the implications of a scientific discovery or principle. Resources for Instructors and Students including practice quizzes, flashcards, lecture slides, an instructor’s manual, images and tables from the book, a test bank, and much more!

Genres: Science, Nonfiction

768 pages, Paperback

First published September 8, 1993

About the author

James S. Trefil (born 9/10/1938) is an American physicist (Ph.D. in Physics at Stanford University in 1966) and author of more than thirty books. Much of his published work focuses on science for the general audience. Dr. Trefil has previously served as Professor of Physics at the University of Virginia and he now teaches as Robinson Professor of Physics at George Mason University. Among Trefil's books is Are We Unique?, an argument for human uniqueness in which he questions the comparisons between human intelligence and artificial intelligence. Trefil also regularly gives presentations to judges and public officials about the intersections between science and the law.

Reviews

[NCHS Library]

Publisher's Description: Organized around a series of 24 scientific concepts (or great ideas), this book begins with the idea that the universe can be studied by observation and experiment. Encompasses physics, chemistry, astronomy, biology and earth sciences, focusing on general principles and their application to real-world situations rather than esoteric detail. Integrates the sciences rather than treating them separately. Offers students the ability to place major public issues such as the environment, energy and medical advances in a scientific context. Also examines social or philosophical issues related to science, such as the Human Genome Project and nuclear waste disposal.

[Brown Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Keeping this updated periodically is a great introduction to pretty much everything you need to know about the world around you. I can imagine a slightly superior version, but this one is good.

[Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Why would we integrate science? Please read.....better yet, use the samples.

[Litbitch · Rating 3 out of 5]

I can't remember the last time I read an actual, traditional textbook in toto.

[Channah]

Read for class fall 2018.