They are included to summarize ideas that students will have had in lecture and to discuss how they apply to the lab. The lab instructions are detailed and allow students to proceed at their own pace through either experimental or observational lab work. Dangers are noted and explained. Data tables help students organize their lab observations. Questions are interspersed to avoid a cookbook approach to science and spaces are provided for answers and sketches.
New terms are in boldface the first time used and are followed by a definition.
At the end of each lap topic, several alternative suggestions are given for summarizing the lab work. A homework assignment usually describes a writing assignment or lab report. Critical thinking questions emphasize applications. A lab summary based on several questions organizes the reporting of lab activities in a more stepwise approach. An Internet journey section points the students toward information sources on the WWW and further readings direct them toward textbooks typically used in undergraduate specialty courses or to readings from Scientific American.