What books will I need?

[synchronise3]

Hey guys,

Here are my books for uni this year:

BIO1011    Prescribed   
   Campbell Biology 9ed Australian Version + Biology Access Card CB VS    $155.26

BIO1011    Prescribed   
   Campbell Biology 9ed Aust + Biology Access Card CB VS + Hen- dersons Dict Biology 15ed + Short Guide to Writing Biology    $192.46

CHM1011    Prescribed
   Chemistry 2ed + WileyPlus 4 Access Code Card    $153.40

MGC1010    Prescribed   
   Management 4ed Binder Ready Version + Istudy V 2 Registration Card + Sustainability    $100.39

Out of these books which will i definitely need and which won't really be too helpful/necessary?

I'm particularly hesitant on the $200 biology book.

Any help would be appreciated

[michak]

I have no idea but that 200 bucks bio book actually consists of 2 books, 1 dictionary and an access code so in the end its not too bad

[DisaFear]

If you feel like you need the textbooks, and are daunted by the price, try looking for second hand copies on Monash Marketplace, or buy the books online, where you can save $40-60 per book. I found the Chemistry textbook for ~$90 on eBay

I've ordered two textbooks last year online, both came in perfect condition. A few days ago, I ordered two more textbooks required for this semester.

[synchronise3]

If you feel like you need the textbooks, and are daunted by the price, try looking for second hand copies on Monash Marketplace, or buy the books online, where you can save $40-60 per book. I found the Chemistry textbook for ~$90 on eBay

I've ordered two textbooks last year online, both came in perfect condition. A few days ago, I ordered two more textbooks required for this semester.

thanks! Were the books useful to you or were they something you referred to every now and then?

[DisaFear]

I used them a lot. I rarely studied without a textbook at hand. They often had nice diagrams that can help you understand concepts.
Just depends on how you study, really. Some people rarely use textbooks.

[pi]

Try searching for some of the books online *cough cough*

Although I find hard-copy books to be a bit more useful in terms of gaining information and learning

[synchronise3]

I used them a lot. I rarely studied without a textbook at hand. They often had nice diagrams that can help you understand concepts.
Just depends on how you study, really. Some people rarely use textbooks.

ok thanks heaps!

Try searching for some of the books online *cough cough*

haha I tried no luck though

[nacho]

library will usually have the books. borrow them throughout the semester.

[Alex_94]

Try searching for some of the books online *cough cough*

Although I find hard-copy books to be a bit more useful in terms of gaining information and learning

Reported your IP, cheers.

I've heard it's good to go through first week and see which ones you need, then buy them.
Suck it up, keep them in good condish and flog them at the end of the year for like $40 less.

[ggxoxo]

If it's a prescribed text book, will they get questions from the textbook or are all questions in exams still from lectures itself? (I'm doing comm btw if it makes a difference)

When I did UMEP last year, all the questions were from the lectures itself and the prescribed readings from the textbook that they suggested were pretty worthless- is this the same for Monash?

[#1procrastinator]

Fishpond.com.au usually has cheap textbooks (though most of the ones I've bought aren't exactly widely used). Also that bookdepository website looks like it has some good deals (free shipping worldwide for both sites! But Fishpond  tends to takes anywhere from 3-8 weeks)

[/quote]

If it's a prescribed text book, will they get questions from the textbook or are all questions in exams still from lectures itself? (I'm doing comm btw if it makes a difference)

When I did UMEP last year, all the questions were from the lectures itself and the prescribed readings from the textbook that they suggested were pretty worthless- is this the same for Monash?

Ask the lecturer

EDIT: Does anyone actually use and find the online content included with new editions of textbooks useful?
 

[slothpomba]

I think campbell is a great and handy book to have, especially in 1st year. That said, you could probably be fine if you went to the library every once and awhile just to flick through and read up what you need but its always nice to have a readily available copy thats yours at home.

http://www.booko.com.au for buying new textbooks and books of any kind. It compares all the websites (fishpond, abe books, book depository, etc). So, theres not much use in say going straight to bookdepository or fishpond.

For used, checkout monash marketplace and http://www.textbookexchange.com.au .

[zhenzhenzhen]

I've only ever bought one book in three years lol

[platypus]

don't get that $200 study pack + dictionary thing because guarantee you wont need it in BIO1011 or BIO1022....

the Campbell textbook is an okay resource - the lecturers do prescribe weekly readings from there, but sometimes they go into uneccessary depth and they don't explain new concepts properly. Generally it helps you consolidate what you learn from the lecture videos so I'd definitely get it secondhand. I got mine from textbook exchange for $60.

Also idk if the syllabus has changed since last yr but the exams are mainly based on the lecture videos...so spam watch them before exams and you should be fine

[Fyrefly]

If you feel like you need the textbooks, and are daunted by the price, try looking for second hand copies on Monash Marketplace, or buy the books online, where you can save $40-60 per book. I found the Chemistry textbook for ~$90 on eBay

I've ordered two textbooks last year online, both came in perfect condition. A few days ago, I ordered two more textbooks required for this semester.

This is good advice, but just make sure you buy the current edition and keep in mind for textbooks that come with access to online content, the access codes are usually good for one account only and the previous owner may have activated this access.