I'm a computer programmer but I've been keen on reading some biology (and later genetics) books purely out of interest.
I can easily find cheap introductory biology textbooks at my used bookstore that are maybe 5-10 years old. Is it going to make a big difference if I get a dated edition? I know genetics moves at such a fast pace but I wonder if an introductory biology textbook from 2005 vs. 2015 would be much different?
Get a new one
Your good... for now.
>>7768400
Fuck a textbook. Go learn some bioinformatics and you'll pick up biology along the way.
Check out Rosalind. It's like project Euler for bioinformatics.
>>7768403
This. It's like the Bible of undergraduate biology. That said, you should know first semester organic chemistry beforehand (or study it at the same time). Of course you should know general chemistry 1 & 2 before studying organic chemistry 1.
As for genetics, you would learn that after you have learned the above. Reason being is that genetics requires a decent grasp of interior cell biology and function, which you would get from that book.
>>7769930
I've never used that so I can't attest to it, but bioinformatics courses are usually fourth year subjects and graduate programs.
>>7768400
http://4chan-science.wikia.com/wiki/Biology_Textbook_Recommendations
>>7768400
brooker biology
brooker genetics analyses and principles
campbell biology
hartwell genetics
a concept of genetics
molecular biology of the cell
molecular biology of the gene
>>7770127
>Don't read textbooks
>>7769930
>Fuck a textbook
>>7768403
I like the first book image more desu
>>7770127
It doesn't work like that. Without fundamental knowledge, you won't make it past the title of the paper.
