Biology: Concepts and Connections

Neil A. Campbell taught general biology for over 30 years and with Dr. Reece coauthored Biology, now in its eighth edition and the most widely used text for biology majors. His enthusiasm for sharing the fun of science with students stemmed from his own undergraduate experience. He began at Long Beach State College as a history major, but switched to zoology after general education requirements “forced” him to take a science course. Following a B.S. from Long Beach, he earned an M.A. in zoology from UCLA and a Ph.D. in plant biology from the University of California, Riverside. He published numerous articles on how certain desert plants thrive in salty soil and how the sensitive plant (Mimosa) and other legumes move their leaves. His diverse teaching experiences included courses for non-biology majors at Cornell University, Pomona College, and San Bernardino Valley College, where he received the first Outstanding Professor Award in 1986. For many years, Dr. Campbell was a visiting scholar in the Department of Botany and Plant Sciences at UC Riverside, which recognized him as the university’s Distinguished Alumnus for 2001. In addition to Biology, Dr. Campbell coauthored Essential Biology and Essential Biology with Physiology. Neil Campbell died shortly after the initial planning of this revision. While he is greatly missed by his many friends throughout the biology community, his coauthors remain inspired by his visionary dedication to education and committed to searching for ever better ways to engage students in the wonders of biology.

Jane B. Reece has worked in biology publishing since 1978, when she joined the editorial staff of Benjamin Cummings. Her education includes an A.B. in biology from Harvard University (where she was initially a philosophy major), an M.S. in microbiology from Rutgers University, and a Ph.D. in bacteriology from the University of California, Berkeley. At UC Berkeley and later as a postdoctoral  fellow in genetics at Stanford University, her research focused on genetic recombination in bacteria. Dr. Reece taught biology at Middlesex County College (New Jersey) and Queensborough Community College (New York). During her 12 years as an editor at Benjamin Cummings, she played a major role in a number of successful textbooks. She is a coauthor of Biology, Essential Biology, and Essential Biology with Physiology.

Martha R. Taylor has been teaching biology for over 30 years. She earned her B.A. in biology from Gettysburg College. After teaching biology in high school and community college, she went on to earn her M.S. and Ph.D. in science education from Cornell University. She was assistant director of the Office of Instructional Support at Cornell for seven years. She has taught introductory biology for both majors and nonmajors at Cornell University for many years. Based on her experiences working with students in classrooms, laboratories, and tutorials, Dr. Taylor is committed to helping students create their own knowledge of and appreciation for biology. She has been the author of the Student Study Guide for all eight editions of Biology, by Drs. Campbell and Reece.

Eric J. Simon is an associate professor of biology at New England College in Henniker, New Hampshire. He teaches introductory biology to both science majors and non-science majors, as well as upper-level courses in genetics, microbiology, and molecular biology. Dr. Simon received a B.A. in biology and computer science and an M.A. in biology from Wesleyan University and a Ph.D. in biochemistry from Harvard University. His research focuses on innovative ways to use technology to improve teaching and learning in the science classroom, particularly for non-science majors. Eric is the lead author of the introductory biology textbooks "Essential Biology" and "Essential Biology with Physiology" and is a co-author on "Biology: Concepts and Connections."

Jean L. Dickey is a professor of biology at Clemson University. She had no idea that science was interesting until her senior year in high school, when a scheduling problem landed her in advanced biology. Abandoning plans to study English or foreign languages, she enrolled in Kent State University as a biology major. After receiving her B.S. in biology, she went on to earn a Ph.D. in ecology and evolution from Purdue University. Since joining the faculty at Clemson in 1984, Dr. Dickey has specialized in teaching non-science majors, including a course designed for pre-service elementary teachers and workshops for in-service teachers. She also developed an investigative laboratory curriculum for general biology and is the author of Laboratory Investigations for Biology.