Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Biology

High School Biology Textbook and Digital Program Grades 9–12

Why?
Features
HMH Professional Services
  • Why?

    HMH Field Trips powered by Google Expeditions

    As a Google® content partner, HMH has developed field trips for Google Expeditions. Using a simple Google Cardboard™ device and a smartphone, students are swept away into 3D, 360-degree experiences in fascinating locations, directly tied to science content! A Teacher Guide provides ideas for incorporating the Expeditions into your lessons, as well as tips on how to guide and customize the experience.

    State-of-the-Art Program Authored by Renowned Biologist Dr. Stephen Nowicki

    The main goal of Dr. Nowicki in writing Biology was to ensure that every page and every activity in Biology engages and inspires the student using the program.

    Written for Readability

    It’s the vocabulary and reading support that sets Nowicki Biology apart. Throughout the program, your students will get the most out of their reading, with numerous print and multimedia resources that enable them to build understanding and retain more information on key concepts.

    Superior Differentiated Resources

    With its strategies for every component, every lesson, every day, Nowicki Biology enables you to reach all learners by providing time-saving, easy-to-use resources to help students of all abilities master biology concepts. For example, the Interactive Reader, specifically designed to engage struggling readers, features all vocabulary and essential content written two levels below grade level to help all students master biology concepts.

    Motivating Interactive Technology Tools

    Nowicki Biology offers the latest technology and multimedia resources that speak directly to your students in a visual language they understand—ensuring that they will stay engaged. Everything in the program is available online, which means your students can use laptops and mobile devices to access resources anytime/anywhere.

    Flexible Lab Program That Builds Data Analysis Skills

    To meet the needs of any classroom, Nowicki Biology includes the most comprehensive lab resources with its wide variety of print and digital lab options. Additionally, each chapter targets a specific data analysis skill. There is a lesson, practice, and assessment to help students develop these critical skills.

    Why Biology

    Explore More

    • Program Introduction

      For a quick overview of the program highlights, watch this program introduction video.

    • Table of Contents

      Unit 1 Introducing Biology

      1: Biology in the 21st Century

      2: Chemistry of Life


      Unit 2 Cells

      3: Cell Structure and Function

      4: Cells and Energy

      5: Cell Growth and Division


      Unit 3 Genetics

      6: Meiosis and Mendel

      7: Extending Mendelian Genetics

      8: From DNA to Proteins

      9: Frontiers of Biotechnology


      Unit 4 Evolution

      10: Principles of Evolution

      11: The Evolution of Populations

      12: The History of Life


      Unit 5 Ecology

      13: Principles of Ecology

      14: Interactions in Ecosystems

      15: The Biosphere

      16: Human Impact on Ecosystems

      17: Animal Behavior


      Unit 6 Diversity of Life

      18: The Tree of Life

      19: Viruses and Prokaryotes

      20: Protists and Fungi

      21: Plant Diversity

      22: Invertebrate Diversity

      23: Vertebrate Diversity

      24: Human Systems and Homeostasis


      ONLINE ONLY in the © 2017 Edition

      25: Plant Structure and Function

      26: Plant Growth, Reproduction, and Response

      27: A Closer Look at Arthropods

      28: A Closer Look at Amniotes

      29: Nervous and Endocrine Systems

      30: Respiratory and Circulatory Systems

      31: Immune System and Disease

      32: Digestive and Excretory Systems

      33: Protection, Support, and Movement

      34: Reproduction and Development


    • HMH Biology Author

      Meet the author of Biology.

    • Research: Evidence & Efficacy

      Holt McDougal Biology Randomized Control Trial (2012)

      Gold-standard study examining the differential impact of Holt McDougal Biology on high school students' science achievement versus a control group.

      Holt McDougal Biology Impact Study (2008)

      This analysis of high school students using Holt McDougal Biology finds students witnessed significant growth in biology skills and knowledge over the school year.

  • Features

    While Nowicki Biology © 2017 retains the many popular and supportive features that have made this program a success with teachers and students alike, this revised edition offers innovative ways to support learning and meet new standards, engaging new technology, and up-to-date lab and data analysis coverage.

    Explore More

    • What's New

      Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Biology © 2017 has been enhanced and updated to address the needs of classrooms today.

      Streamlined Student and Teacher Print Editions

      In an effort to align more closely with the scope of material typically covered in a biology classroom, we’ve removed less commonly taught topics from the print textbook. Students and teachers alike will find the smaller footprint to be much more manageable. Full chapters of these topics are still available in the online materials. The Interactive Reader and Spanish Edition also reflect these changes.

      Google® Expeditions

      HMH is among the first to develop secondary science content for Google Expeditions. Using a simple Google Cardboard™ device and a smartphone, students are swept away into immersive virtual worlds where learning and engagement are maximized. Teachers have a lot of flexibility in customizing the experience for each classroom. A Teacher Guide includes ideas for how to incorporate the Expeditions into your classroom lessons.

      Google-Expeditions

      On the Job STEM Videos

      As part of our Premium offering, HMH now includes 29 On the Job STEM videos that profile STEM careers in today’s fastest-growing industries. Our energetic hosts shadow passionate professionals in a day “on the job.” These short segments are inspirational and entertaining with the hosts actually performing parts of the job! These videos will motivate students to enter emerging STEM fields.

      Thing Explainer

      Thing Explainer

      Through an exclusive partnership with author and Internet sensation Randall Munroe, HMH has incorporated highly engaging and educational material from Randall’s latest book, Thing Explainer, into our high school biology, chemistry and physics programs. Randall’s webcomic style, as seen on xkcd.com, humorously explains complex topics in easy-to-understand language.

      Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)*

      Correlations

      Bio Screen

      Biology already supports many aspects of NGSS, particularly the disciplinary core ideas, crosscutting concepts, and scientific and engineering practices. These foundational components of the National Research Council’s Framework for K–12 Science Education are found throughout HMH programs. To make the standards more accessible, easy-to-use correlations like the one above are included in the Teacher Edition as well as online.

      Performance Expectations Guide

      Biology PEG

      Designed to integrate easily into any curriculum, a separate Performance Expectations Guide is available for Biology, Modern Chemistry®, and Physics to ensure that students meet the NGSS Performance Expectations. Also included is an overview of NGSS and teacher tips for integrating each activity into the classroom.

      Engineering

      Engineering Design Guide

      Biology Design Guide

      Engineering can serve as a motivating context for integrating the four STEM disciplines into your biology, chemistry, or physics curriculum. This separate Engineering Design Guide provides an overview of the engineering design process, along with activities and checklists that can help foster students’ critical-thinking and problem-solving skills. For curriculums aligned to NGSS, this guide can also help support the engineering-related Performance Expectations.

      STEM Features

      Highly relevent and engaging STEM features have been added to each chapter of the program.

      Maximizing Platform Compatibility

      To ensure a consistent and optimized user experience on nearly any Internet-enabled device, outdated technologies and media have been addressed. Media resources based on Adobe Flash® have been retired. Resources located on outdated technologies such as CDs and DVDs have been migrated entirely to our online platform.

      Content Updates

      The excitement of teaching science comes in part from our constantly expanding understanding of science through new discoveries. HMH Biology © 2017 has been updated to incorporate exciting new knowledge. For example, additional treatment of RNA and epigenetics has been included. Features that include cutting-edge topics have also been updated.

      Dashboard

      Biology Dashboard

      HMH Biology © 2017 will now have the benefit of the new and improved online interface provided by the HMH Dashboard. This also includes mySmartPlanner, enabling teachers to combine calendar functionality with curriculum mapping and program resources.

      New Bundle Configurations

      The © 2017 Biology is available in three configurations: Premium, Hybrid, and Digital. The Hybrid bundle serves as the core offering, with both print and digital materials. The Premium bundle provides added print and digital resources such as Interactive Readers, CliffsNotes®, and STEM videos called On the Job. Digital bundles offer a low-cost digital-only option. Common Cartridge® options are also available for purchase.

    • Meeting Students' Needs

      Nowicki Biology enables you to reach all learners by providing time-saving, easy-to-use learning tools and resources to help students of all abilities achieve understanding and success.

      Updated Student and Teacher Editions

      big ideas

      The Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Biology © 2017 program, by Stephen Nowicki, has been updated with new content, features and now with fewer pages. Nearly 300 pages have been removed from the print editions and moved online in order to make the Student Edition and Teacher Edition lighter and more relevent. Big Ideas have been added to Chapter Openers and Summary to capture the essence of the chapter material and to help students create strong mental models.

      Nowicki Biology has been designed and developed to help you reach students with a wide range of abilities and needs. The student text is designed the way students learn, with all components of the book fitting easily within commonly used learning models to help build understanding through inquiry and exploration. Nowicki Biology is a research-based program that has been refined through teacher input from teacher advisory boards, user testing, and pilot studies. Studies show proven effectiveness and have been validated by the Educational Research Institute of America.

      Interactive Reader

      Structure of DNA

      Specifically designed to engage struggling readers, the Interactive Reader features all vocabulary and essential content written two levels below grade level to help all students master biology concepts. With this write-in worktext, students can record their thoughts as they read each selection. Skill builder pages with scaffolding and graphic organizers further strengthen student reading comprehension.

      Vocabulary and Reading Support

      Vocab support

      Throughout the program, vocabulary and reading support teach students to break down concepts and strengthen overall vocabulary understanding through visual representations of key terms. The Reading Toolbox provides students with tips and helpful hints for getting the most out of their reading, while vocabulary and note-taking support enables them to build understanding and retain more information on the key concepts.

      Differentiated Instruction Strategies

      Differentiated strategies

      Each lesson includes differentiated instruction strategies to assist teachers helping students with a wide range of needs. Notes in the Teacher Edition help support students who are English learners, Inclusion, Pre-AP®, and below grade level.

      English Learner Resources

      Nowicki Biology contains the most extensive Spanish support in the industry. The Student Edition and most worksheets and assessments are available in Spanish. In addition, a multi-language glossary includes Arabic, Armenian, Cantonese, Hmong, Khmer, Korean, Punjabi, Russian, Spanish, Tagalog, Urdu and Vietnamese languages. Full text audio readings in English and Spanish are also available.

      Leveled Study Guides

      Leveled Study Guides provide on- and below-level versions of review pages to better support students.

      Online Assessment and Remediation

      Online Remidiation

      Using an advanced automated assessment and remediation engine, chapter tests and section quizzes are assigned to students by a teacher. The assessments are automatically graded, and remediation that uses materials in the program is prescribed. A post-test is offered to determine student mastery. Critical student performance data are recorded and made readily available to the teacher.

    • Real-World Biology

      Nowicki Biology is focused on making biology relevant for students through intriguing questions, exciting and easy-to-use technology, and extensive examples in the book and online showing biology in action.

      That’s Amazing! Video-Based Inquiry

      That's Amazing

      Engage students by peering into the captivating world of nature and the application of the scientific method through That's Amazing! Video-Based Inquiry. After being amazed by nature's wonders, students will apply the Data Analysis and conclusion phases of the scientific method, further strengthening and reinforcing their skills. Students are able to manipulate and analyze data as an active part of watching these videos.

      STEM Labs and STEM Features

      STEM Features

      Ten online STEM Labs engage students with labs designed specifically to bring the application of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics into the biology classroom. STEM Labs are hands-on, problem-based labs that emphasize inquiry and the engineering design process. In addition, STEM features have been added to every chapter of the Student Edition.

      BioZine Online

      BioZine

      This free resource provides current biology news and information from the community to the world, updated regularly with live news feeds and article features. BioZine offers the perfect opportunity to engage students with the most recent events in the field.

      Connect to Your World

      Grab students' attention by relating content to the world around them. You can use the Real-World Connections for a classroom discussion, an engaging dialogue, or as a community action project.

      Google® Expeditions

      HMH is among the first to develop secondary science content for Google Expeditions. Using a simple Google Cardboard™ device and a smartphone, students are swept away into immersive virtual worlds where learning and engagement are maximized. Teachers have a lot of flexibility in customizing the experience for each classroom.

      Google-Expeditions

      On the Job STEM Videos

      CliffNotes-On

      As part of our Premium offering, HMH now includes 29 On the Job STEM videos that profile STEM careers in today’s fastest-growing industries. Our energetic hosts shadow passionate professionals in a day “on the job.” These short segments are inspirational and entertaining with the hosts actually performing parts of the job! These videos will motivate students to enter emerging STEM fields.

    • Engaging Technology

      Now your 21st-century learners can use technology to connect with key biology concepts. The HMH Biology program, authored by Stephen Nowicki, brings the power of technology into your classroom, helping students connect to biology concepts. With so many new and exciting technology resources that speak to your students, they will stay engaged and the results will be noticeable.

      Animated Biology

      Animated Biology Image

      Provide nearly 100 simulations and animations that allow students to visualize and interact with biology concepts and processes through Animated Biology.

      That’s Amazing! Video-Based Inquiry

      That's Amazing

      Engage students by peering into the bizarre world of nature and the application of the scientific method through That's Amazing! Video-Based Inquiry. After being amazed by nature's wonders, students will apply the Data Analysis and conclusion phases of the scientific method, further strengthening and reinforcing their skills. Students are able to manipulate and analyze data as an active part of watching these videos.

      BioZine Online

      BioZine

      This free resource provides current biology news and information from the community to the world, updated regularly with live news feeds and article features. BioZine offers the perfect opportunity to engage students with the most recent events in the field.

      Interactive Whiteboard Resources

      Biology Web

      Key teaching visuals and content-reinforcement lessons from each chapter have been adapted specifically for interactive whiteboard use. Interactive whiteboard resources are available in Smart Notebook™ and ActivInspire® Flipchart formats.

      Interactive Review Games

      Game Review image

      Nothing encourages students to study and review more than a game! The interactive review games covering the key concepts and vocabulary from each chapter will keep students engaged while they prepare for upcoming tests.

      Biology Games

      biolgoy-games.jpg

      The HMH Biology Games app delivers hours of challending fun while students sharpen their science knowledge in biology.

      Concept Maps

      ConceptMap_Bio.jpg

      Each chapter includes an interactive, advanced graphic organizer that shows the relationships among concepts covered in each chapter and helps students develop logical thinking and study skills.

    • Labs and Data Analysis

      Because inquiry is the cornerstone of understanding biology, it is crucial for students to apply the concepts they are reading about. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Biology © 2017 includes the most comprehensive lab resources with its wide variety of print and digital lab options to meet your classroom needs. The program also includes the most comprehensive data analysis strand to help students develop these critical skills.

      Hands-on Labs and Activities

      Throughout Biology, teachers will find a variety of online labs to ensure you have just the right lab for your students, all in an editable format. Labs include Quick Labs, Open Inquiry, Biotechnology, Probeware, Forensics, and more—plus 10 hands-on STEM Labs designed to bring the application of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics into your classroom. Each lab is project-based and allows students to learn biology in a different and exciting way. Teachers will also have access to the program labs on the online platform. The powerful, customizable tools provide teachers with easy access to the entire robust biology lab program, including video and virtual labs. The database of biology labs is searchable by topic, difficulty level, duration, or standard. Teachers can also add their own labs.

      Virtual Labs

      Virtual Labs

      Fourteen virtual labs enable students to conduct meaningful experiments in a lab or field setting without the expense, time, or risk of traditional lab settings.

      Virtual Investigations

      Visual Integration

      Twenty-two virtual activities provide detailed simulations and exploration activities so students can experience the world of biology in a way that enhances critical-thinking and problem-solving skills. Students have the opportunity to Watch It!, Practice It!, and Apply It!

      Data Analysis Daily Learning and Review

      Data Analysis

      Because data analysis is the cornerstone for understanding biology, developing the skills necessary to collect, graph, and analyze data is an important part of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Biology © 2017. Every chapter instructs students on a specific data analysis skill, providing both sample and practice problems. The data analysis skill taught and practiced in the chapter is assessed in the Chapter Review.

      Online Data Analysis Practice

      Data Analysis Practice Worksheets provide practice of the data analysis skills lesson in each chapter. Additional online practice includes the Online Data Analysis Activities where students can transform raw data from real-world research into meaningful graphs and charts, and address problems that illustrate how data affects scientific methods and research.

      Smart Grapher

      Smart Grapher

      Help students create line graphs, bar graphs, circle graphs, and more using your own data through Smart Grapher. Students can easily put data into a form that makes sense and gives meaning to the results of their experiments.

      That’s Amazing! Video-Based Inquiry

      That's Amazing

      Engage students by peering into the bizarre world of nature and the application of the scientific method through That's Amazing! Video-Based Inquiry. After being amazed by nature's wonders, students will apply the Data Analysis and conclusion phases of the scientific method, further strengthening and reinforcing their skills. Students are able to manipulate and analyze data as an active part of watching these videos.

      PhET Simulations

      That's Amazing

      PhET Simulations are interactive online science simulations produced under Creative Commons licensing by the University of Colorado at Boulder. They provide fun, interactive, research-based simulations of real-life phenomena.

    • Assessment Tools

      The comprehensive assessment options located on the Interactive Online Edition bring together all of the HMH Biology assessment tools into one convenient place, giving you many choices on the best way to assess student learning.  Assessments are available in both English and Spanish.

      Exam View logo

      ExamView

      Banks of ExamView® test questions—including 5,000 bonus questions—mirror the assessments provided in the program and provide additional questions to be used either independently or in conjunction with program tests. ExamView allows for customization of assessments to meet your local needs.

      Section Quizzes

      Section Self Tests

      Multiple-choice formative assessment quiz for each section of the textbook is designed to aid in remediation.

      Leveled Chapter Tests

      Two full-length chapter tests consisting of multiple-choice and short-answer questions give teachers options. Test B is an on-level test while Test A is a lower-level test of the same content.

      Additional Testing Options

      Diagnostic Test

      This screening test is designed to be given at the beginning of a chapter to determine students' existing knowledge and to help teachers customize the lesson plan.

      Extended Response Test

      Test questions encourage students to think in short essay format as they respond to chapter-specific writing prompts.

      Alternative Assessment

      For students who benefit from non-traditional assessments, these tests provide another way of determining their understanding of biological concepts and vocabulary.

      Interactive Review Games

      Section Self Tests

      Nothing encourages students to study and review more than a game! The interactive review games covering the key concepts and vocabulary from each chapter will keep students engaged while they prepare for upcoming tests.

      Online Assessment and Remediation

      OAR

      Teachers use an advanced automated assessment and remediation engine to assign Chapter Tests and Section Quizzes to students. The assessments are automatically graded, and remediation that uses materials in the program is prescribed. A post-test is offered to determine student mastery. Critical student performance data are recorded and made readily available to the teacher.

    • NGSS

      Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)*

      Correlations

      Bio Screen

      Biology already supports many aspects of NGSS, particularly the disciplinary core ideas, crosscutting concepts, and scientific and engineering practices. These foundational components of the National Research Council’s Framework for K–12 Science Education are found throughout HMH programs. To make the standards more accessible, easy-to-use correlations like the one above are included in the Teacher Edition as well as online.

      Performance Expectations Guide

      Biology PEG

      Designed to integrate easily into any curriculum, a separate Performance Expectations Guide is available for Biology, Modern Chemistry®, and Physics to ensure that students meet the NGSS Performance Expectations. Also included is an overview of NGSS and teacher tips for integrating each activity into the classroom.

      Engineering

      Engineering Design Guide

      Biology Design Guide

      Engineering can serve as a motivating context for integrating the four STEM disciplines into your biology, chemistry, or physics curriculum. This separate Engineering Design Guide provides an overview of the engineering design process, along with activities and checklists that can help foster students’ critical-thinking and problem-solving skills. For curriculums aligned to NGSS, this guide can also help support the engineering-related Performance Expectations.

      STEM Features

      Highly relevant and engaging STEM features have been added to each chapter of the program.

    • Available Digital Formats

      iBooks Textbooks

      iBooks® textbooks offer rich, magazine-style student editions, multi-touch capabilities, and embedded interactive features to maximize learning engagement. Available for iPad® and iPad mini™. (Available for © 2012 edition.)

      HMH® eTextbooks

      eTextbooks include all of the content from the print textbook and are available across all grade levels and discipline areas. Suitable for most tablets, eTextbooks are portable and easily accessed, with some interactivity depending on the device.

      Online Editions

      Our interactive Online Editions include all of the content of the print textbook, plus ancillary items and interactive elements, such as video and quizzes. With the purchase of Online Student Editions, teachers also have access to all Teacher Resources as well as all Student Resources. Compatible with desktop, laptop, and netbook computers.

  • HMH Professional Services

    Our Mission Is to Advance Yours

    HMH Professional Services forges student-centered partnerships with schools and districts in the belief that all learners deserve a quality education and the opportunity for lifelong success.

    HMH Professional Services includes teachers, leaders, and technologists. Our Professional Learning Consultants become part of your team, working right beside you to build and implement professional learning plans that respect the unique needs and culture of your school or district community. Through program, practice, and technical services, we work collaboratively to unlock the full potential of every student, teacher, and leader.

    Comprehensive Services for K–12 Educators

    We offer teachers and instructional leaders a full suite of learning and support to deepen their mastery and hone their teaching skills throughout the school year.

    school-year-chart

    Visit us at hmhco.com/professionalservices to learn more.


Shop Program Components

View All Program Components

Related Programs