A History of the Life Sciences, Revised and Expanded / Edition 3

by Lois N. Magner

Overview

A clear and concise survey of the major themes and theories embedded in the history of life science, this book covers the development and significance of scientific methodologies, the relationship between science and society, and the diverse ideologies and current paradigms affecting the evolution and progression of biological studies. The author discusses cell theory, embryology, physiology, microbiology, evolution, genetics, and molecular biology; the Human Genome Project; and genomics and proteomics. Covering the philosophies of ancient civilizations to modern advances in genomics and molecular biology, the book is a unique and comprehensive resource.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780824708245
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	08/13/2002
Edition description:	REV
Pages:	514
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x (d)

About the Author

Lois N. Magnier is Professor Emerita, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana. The author or coauthor of numerous journal articles, book chapters, and books, including A History of Medicine (Marcel Dekker, Inc.), her research interests range from investigations of the feminist response to Darwinism to an ongoing comparative study of the medical theories of Korea, China, and Japan. A member of the History of Science Society, the American Association for the History of Medicine, and the American Historical Association, among other organizations, Dr. Magner received the B.S. degree (1963) from Brooklyn College, New York, and the Ph.D. degree (1968) from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Table of Contents

The Origins of the Life Sciences. The Greek Legacy. The Renaissance and the Scientific Revolution. The Foundations of Modern Science: Institutions and Instruments. Problems in Generation: Organisms, Embryos, and Cells. Physiology. Microbiology, Virology, and Immunology. Evolution. Genetics. Molecular Biology. Index.

Editorial Reviews

"Given its clear and lucid discussion of potentially confusing concepts and tangled history, this will be a valuable addition to general science collections serving undergraduate and graduate programs in biology and allied life sciences."
- E-Streams, Vol. 6, No. 7, July 2003

Promo Copy

From the Publisher

A text for a one-semester survey course that Magner hopes will also be of interest to general readers and to teachers helping their students think about the interplay between science and society. The evolution of theories and methods, interactions among various disciplines, and the diverse attitudes and assumptions that scientists have used to approach the phenomena of life are pivotal themes. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

A revised and reorganized edition of Magner's (history, Purdue U.) sweeping history of biological knowledge, from the primitive observations of early herders and butchers through the speculation of the classical Greeks and the bad days of medieval magic and alchemy, to the glorious scientific revolution and the latest advances in molecular biology. The date of the first edition is not noted. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Booknews