The authors are a strong and diverse team of scientists and teachers who solidly present the connection between microorganisms and humans. Because of their individual research specializations and educational backgrounds, they remain in the hub of the scientific community and provide accurate and modern coverage spanning the breadth of microbiology. As teachers, they constantly strive to present material that easily speaks to students.
Each major topic is presented as a complete unit. The style is clear and concise and not "watered down," but provides students the depth of coverage needed to fully understand and appreciate the role of microorganisms in the biological sciences and human affairs.
Instructive Art Program
Microorganisms, by definition, are invisible to the naked eye. It becomes ever more important to allow students to visualize organisms as well as processes to reinforce learning. The art program continues as a key element of the learning process. Each figure in the textbook was developed as the narrative was written and is reinforced in bold in the supporting text. Colors and symbols are used consistently throughout the text. Legends are short, clear, and descriptive. Various types of art styles are used to bring concepts to life.
Overview figures simplify complex interactions and provide a sound study tool. Image pathways help students to follow the progression of a discussion over several pages by highlighting and visualizing in detail each step of an overview figure.
Process figures include step-by-step descriptions and include supporting text so that the figure walks through a compact summary of important concepts.
Combination figures tie together the features that can be illustrated by an artist with the appearance of organisms in the real world.
Stunning micrographs used generously throughout the text bring the microbial world to life. In the chapters presenting infectious diseases, these are often combined with photographs showing the symptoms that the organisms cause.
Unmatched Clinical Coverage
Evans Roberts, Jr., - a member of the author team who is licensed and board certified in internal medicine by the American Board of Internal Medicine, and in public health and medical laboratory microbiology by the American Board of Microbiology – ensures that clinical coverage is accurate, modern, and instructive to those planning to enter health careers. The incomparable treatment of infectious diseases, organized by human body systems, is supported with generous photographs, summary tables, case histories, and critical thinking questions. Elements of this unparalleled clinical coverage include:
Consistent coverage of all diseases, including individual sections that describe the symptoms, pathogenesis, causative agent, epidemiology, prevention and treatment.
Disease summaries that feature a drawing of a human showing symptoms, portals of entry and exit, location of pathology, and a step-by- step description of the infection process for each major disease.
Case presentations of realistic clinical situations.
Modern coverage of topics such as emerging diseases, new vaccines, and nosocomial infections.
Dedicated chapters covering wound infections and HIV.
Learning System
The Nester text actively challenges students to think critically by providing several avenues of practice in analyzing data, synthesizing information, drawing conclusions, interpreting graphs, and applying concepts to practical situations. Examples can be found in the applications, the critical thinking questions, and the questions in the microcheck sections.
Students are engaged with topics covered in the unique series of boxes within each chapter:
A Glimpse of History boxes present engaging accounts of research strategies and historic breakthroughs of how individual scientists have developed the science of microbiology.
Perspective boxes focus on how microbes play an important (although largely unnoticed) role in our health, our environment, our relationships and our future. Topics range from how our diet can help fight viral infections to how we can create disposable diapers that will decompose in a landfill.
Future Challenges boxes point to the road ahead and suggest how microbiologists will be instrumental in solving critical problems like emerging diseases, resistance to antibiotics, new vaccines, etc.
