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Free Upskilling Books for All!

Description: These upskilling books are freely available to anyone who wants to learn a new skill, prepare for going back to school, or switch careers! #public #adults


Showing 1 through 25 of 147 results

Concepts of Biology

by OpenStax

Concepts of Biology is intended for the introductory biology course for non-science majors taught at most two- and four-year colleges. The scope, sequence, and level of the program are designed to match typical course syllabi. This text includes interesting features that make connections between scientific concepts and the everyday world of students. Concepts of Biology conveys the major themes of biology, such as a foundation in evolution, and features a rich and engaging art program.

Date Added: 03/19/2020


CK-12 Earth Science

by Ck-12 Foundation

CK-12 Foundation's Earth Science FlexBook Covers the following chapters: What is Earth Science- scientific method and branches of earth science. Studying Earth's Surface- landforms, map projections and computers/satellites. Earth's Minerals- types, formation, identification , properties and uses. Rocks- rock cycle and types of rocks. Earth's Energy- renewable and nonrenewable resources. Plate Tectonics- Earth's interior, continental drift, seafloor spreading, tectonic movement, plate boundaries, and landforms. Earthquakes- causes, prediction, safety, seismic waves/tsunamis, and rock/mountain building. Volcanoes- formation, landforms and types of magma and eruptions. Weathering and Formation of Soil- mechanical/chemical weathering and soil formation, horizions & climates. Erosion and Deposition- actions of water, wind and gravity. Evidence about the Earth's Past- fossilization and relative/absolute dating. Earth's History- geological time, early history and evolution. Earth's Freshwater- water cycle and lakes, rivers, streams & groundwater. Earth's Oceans- formation, composition, waves/tides, seafloor and ocean life. Earth's Atmosphere- properties, significance, layers, transfer of energy and movement of air. Weather- cloud types, air movement, storms, and forecasting. Climate- factors that affect climate, different climates, and global climate change. Ecosystems and Human Population- role, flow of matter/energy, carbon cycle and effect of human population growth. Human Actions and the Land- erosion and pollution. Human Actions and the Earth's Resources- renewable vs. nonrenewable and conservation & availability. Human Actions and the Earth's Water- usage, distribution, sources, pollution, and protection. Human Action and the Atmosphere- types, causes, effects and reductionObserving and Exploring Space- electromagnetic radiation, telescopes, and current discoveriesEarth, Moon and Sun- properties, motion, tides/eclipses, sun layers and solar activityThe Solar System- motion, formation, inner vs. outer planets, dwarf planets, meteors, asteroids, and comets. Stars, Galaxies and the Universe- constellations, light/energy of stars, classification, evolution, galaxies, dark matter, dark energy, and the Big Bang Theory.

Date Added: 03/19/2020


CK-12 Biology I - Honors

by Ck-12 Foundation

CK-12 Foundation's Biology 1- Honors FlexBook Covers the following chapters:

Foundations of Life Science- scientific investigations, methods, observations, & communication.

Chemical Basis of Life- matter, the significance of carbon, lipids, proteins.

Cell Structure and Function- prokaryotic, eukaryotic, plant, & animal cell features; structures / functions of DNA, RNA, protein, cell transport, homeostasis.

Photosynthesis- water, carbon, and nitrogen cycle between abiotic and biotic resources.

Cellular Respiration- relation to glycolysis, Krebs Cycle, electron transport chain.

Cell Division and Reproduction- cell division, reproduction.

Mendelian Genetics- inheritance, sex-linked traits.

Molecular Genetics- DNA, RNA, protein synthesis, mutation, regulating gene expression.

Human Genetics- human genome, diseases, Biotechnology- DNA technology, gene cloning.

History of Life- evolution, macroevolution, extinctions, episodic speciation, response to change.

Evolutionary Theory- Darwin's Theory of Evolution, common ancestry and natural selection.

Evolution in Populations- genetics of populations, genetic diseases, natural selection.

Classification- Taxonomy, scientific classification of organisms.

Principles of Ecology- Ecology's relation with energy; ecosystems, the water, carbon, and nitrogen cycles.

Biomes, Ecosystems and Communities- terrestrial/ aquatic biomes, community interactions.

Populations- Analysis of populations and dynamics.

Ecology and Human Actions- Balance between humans and the earth addressing natural resources, ecosystems, & biodiversity.

The Human Body- systems.

Nervous and Endocrine Systems- structures & functions, homeostasis.

Skeletal, Muscular, and Integumentary Systems- structures, functions, & homeostasis.

Circulatory and Respiratory Systems- structures and functions.

Digestive and Excretory Systems- structures/ functions, food pyramid.

Immune System and Disease- Body defenses against pathogens.

Reproductive System and Human Development- human reproductive systems, reproductive lifecycle, STDs.

Date Added: 03/19/2020


CK-12 Biology I (with image descriptions)

by Ck-12 Foundation

Open source biology textbook from CK-12.

Date Added: 03/19/2020


CK-12 Probability and Statistics - Basic (A Full Course)

by Ck-12 Foundation

An open source textbook.

Date Added: 03/19/2020


Intermediate Algebra

by OpenStax

"Intermediate Algebra is designed to meet the scope and sequence requirements of a one-semester Intermediate algebra course. The book's organization makes it easy to adapt to a variety of course syllabi. The text expands on the fundamental concepts of algebra while addressing the needs of students with diverse backgrounds and learning styles. Each topic builds upon previously developed material to demonstrate the cohesiveness and structure of mathematics."--Open Textbook Library.

Date Added: 03/19/2020


Introductory Statistics

by OpenStax

Introductory Statistics is intended for the one-semester introduction to statistics course for students who are not mathematics or engineering majors. It focuses on the interpretation of statistical results, especially in real world settings, and assumes that students have an understanding of intermediate algebra. In addition to end of section practice and homework sets, examples of each topic are explained step-by-step throughout the text and followed by a Try It problem that is designed as extra practice for students. This book also includes collaborative exercises and statistics labs designed to give students the opportunity to work together and explore key concepts. To support today's student in understanding technology, this book features TI 83, 83+, 84, or 84+ calculator instructions at strategic points throughout. While the book has been built so that each chapter builds on the previous, it can be rearranged to accommodate any instructor's particular needs.

Date Added: 03/19/2020


CK-12 Advanced Probability and Statistics

by Ck-12 Foundation

CK-12 Foundation's Advanced Probability and Statistics FlexBook covers the following chapters: An Introduction to Analyzing Statistical Data - Students learn definitions of statistical terminology, and review data, measures of center, and measures of spread. Visualizations of Data - histograms and frequency distributions, common graphs and data plots, and box-and-whisker plots. An Introduction to Probability - events, sample spaces, probability, compound events, the complement of an event, conditional probability, and basic counting rules. Discrete Probability Distribution - random variables, probability distribution for a discrete random variable, mean and standard deviation of discrete random variables and the Binomial Probability Distribution. Normal Distribution - standard normal probability distribution, the density curve of the normal distribution, and applications of the normal distribution. Planning and Conducting an Experiment or Study - surveys, sampling and experimental design. Sampling Distributions and Estimations - sampling distributions and the Central Limit Theorem. Hypothesis Testing - The P-value, testing a proportion hypothesis, testing a mean hypothesis, and testing a hypothesis for dependent and independent samples. Regression and Correlation - scatterplots and linear correlation, Least-Squares regression, inferences about regression, and an introduction to multiple regression. Chi-Square- the Goodness-of-Fit test, test of independence, and testing one variance. Analysis of Variance and the F-Distribution - the F-Distribution and testing two variances, the One-Way ANOVA test, and the Two-Way ANOVA test. Non Parametric Statistics - nonparametric statistics, the rank sum test and rank Correlation, and the Kruskal-Wallis test.

Date Added: 03/19/2020


CK-12 Geometría, Volumen 1

by Ck-12 Foundation

An open source textbook.

Date Added: 03/19/2020


CK-12 Basic Geometry, Volume 1 of 2

by Ck-12 Foundation

An open source textbook.

Date Added: 03/19/2020


Business Law and the Legal Environment

by Don Mayer and Daniel M. Warner and George J. Siedel and Jethro K. Lieberman

Mayer, Warner, Siedel and Lieberman's Business Law and the Legal Environment is an up-to-date textbook with comprehensive coverage of legal and regulatory issues -- and organized to permit instructors to tailor the materials to their particular approach. The authors take special care to engage students by relating law to everyday events with which they are already familiar with their clear, concise and readable style. Business Law and the Legal Environment provides students with context and essential concepts across the entire range of legal issues with which managers and business executives must grapple. The texts provide the vocabulary and legal acumen necessary for business people to talk in an educated way to their customers, employees, suppliers, government officials -- and to their own lawyers.

Date Added: 03/19/2020


Elementary Algebra

by John Redden

It is essential to lay a solid foundation in mathematics if a student is to be competitive in today's global market. The importance of algebra, in particular, cannot be overstated as it is the basis of all mathematical modeling used in applications found in all disciplines. Traditionally, the study of algebra is separated into a two parts, Elementary and Intermediate Algebra. This textbook by John Redden, Elementary Algebra, is the first part written in a clear and concise manner, making no assumption of prior algebra experience. It carefully guides students from the basics to the more advanced techniques required to be successful in the next course.

Date Added: 03/19/2020


Essentials of Geographic Information Systems

by Jonathan Campbell and Michael Shin

Essentials of Geographic Information Systems integrates key concepts behind the technology with practical concerns and real-world applications. Recognizing that many potential GIS users are non-specialists or may only need a few maps, this book is designed to be accessible, pragmatic and concise. Essentials of Geographic Information Systems also illustrates how GIS is used to ask questions, inform choices and guide policy. From the melting of the polar ice caps to privacy issues associated with mapping, this book provides a gentle, yet substantive, introduction to the use and application of digital maps, mapping and GIS.

Date Added: 03/19/2020


How to Use Microsoft® Excel®

by Joseph M. Manzo

How to Use Microsoft® Excel® The Careers in Practice Series is an textbook appropriate for a course covering Microsoft Excel at a beginner to intermediate level. It is geared toward and will be accommodating for students and instructors with little to no experience in using Microsoft Excel. However, the approach is not at the expense of relevance. How to Use Microsoft® Excel® The Careers in Practice Series approaches Excel from the perspective of making personal and professional quantitative decisions. Personal decisions include big purchases such as homes and automobiles, savings for retirement, and personal budgets. Professional decisions include budgets for managing expenses, merchandise items to markdown or discontinue, and inventory management.

Date Added: 03/19/2020


Introduction to Economic Analysis

by R. Preston Mcafee and Tracy R. Lewis

This book presents standard intermediate microeconomics material and some material that, in the authors' view, ought to be standard but is not. Introductory economics material is integrated. Standard mathematical tools, including calculus, are used throughout. The book easily serves as an intermediate microeconomics text, and can be used for a relatively sophisticated undergraduate who has not taken a basic university course in economics. The focus of this book is on the conceptual tools and not on fluff. As such, it reflects the approach actually adopted by the majority of economists for understanding economic activity. There are lots of models and equations, and no pictures of economists ;-) Economic analysis is used in many situations. When British Petroleum sets the price for Alaskan crude oil, it uses an estimated demand model, both for gasoline consumers and also for the refineries to which BP sells. Economic analysis was used by experts in the antitrust suit brought by the U.S. Department of Justice both to understand Microsoft s incentive to foreclose (eliminate from the market) rival Netscape and consumer behavior in the face of alleged foreclosure. Stock market analysts use economic models to forecast the profits of companies to predict the price of their stocks. When the government forecasts the budget deficit or considers a change in environmental regulations, it uses economic models. This book presents the building blocks of the models in common use by an army of economists thousands of times per day. This book, plus econometrics, provides most of the economic analysis tools to take upper division economics courses of any type.

Date Added: 03/19/2020


Introduction to the Law of Property, Estate Planning, and Insurance

by Don Mayer and Daniel M. Warner and George J. Siedel and Jethro K. Lieberman

Mayer, Warner, Siedel and Lieberman's Introduction to the Law of Property, Estate Planning and Insurance is an up-to-date textbook that covers legal issues that students must understand relating to real estate (an especially important business asset), as well as estate planning and insurance. The text is organized to permit instructors to tailor the materials to their particular approach. The authors take special care to engage students by relating law to everyday events with their clear, concise and readable style. After introductory chapters covering the legal environment of business, Introduction to the Law of Property, Estate Planning and Insurance provides students with context and essential legal concepts relating to property rights and duties, estate planning, insurance, secured transactions, mortgages, and related topics. The text provides the vocabulary and legal savvy they will need when working with these concepts, which are critical to business planning and success. With Introduction to the Law of Property, Estate Planning and Insurance, the authors have created a text that not only has both case summaries and excerpted cases, but one that you can easily customize by deleting chapters, reordering the content, adding your own material, and even editing at the line level with Flat World's easy-to-use MIYO (Make It Your Own) Platform. The free online version of the text includes embedded links to law-related videos at YouTube and other online sites for easy access by students and instructors.

Date Added: 03/19/2020


Intermediate Algebra

by OpenStax

"Intermediate Algebra is designed to meet the scope and sequence requirements of a one-semester Intermediate algebra course. The book's organization makes it easy to adapt to a variety of course syllabi. The text expands on the fundamental concepts of algebra while addressing the needs of students with diverse backgrounds and learning styles. Each topic builds upon previously developed material to demonstrate the cohesiveness and structure of mathematics."--Open Textbook Library.

Date Added: 03/19/2020


Principles of Macroeconomics

by OpenStax

Principles of Macroeconomics covers the scope and sequence for a one-semester economics course. The text also includes many current examples, including: the housing bubble and housing crisis, Zimbabwe’s hyperinflation, global unemployment, and the appointment of the United States’ first female Federal Reserve chair, Janet Yellen. The pedagogical choices, chapter arrangements, and learning objective fulfillment were developed and vetted with feedback from educators dedicated to the project. The outcome is a balanced approach to economics, to both Keynesian and classical views, and to the theory and application of economics concepts. Current events are treated in a politically-balanced way, as well.

Date Added: 03/19/2020


CK-12 Chemistry

by Ck-12 Foundation

CK-12 Foundation's Chemistry FlexBook Covers the following chapters: The Science of Chemistry- scientific method, history, matter, energy. Chemistry: A Physical Science- measurement, formulas. Chemistry in the Laboratory- qualitative vs. quantitative observation. The Atomic Theory- atomic model from Dalton to Rutherford. The Bohr Model of the Atom- electromagnetic radiation, atomic spectra & Bohr model. Quantum Mechanics Model of the Atom- energy and standing waves, Heisenberg's uncertainty principle, Schrödinger's equation. Electron Configurations for Atoms- electron spin, Aufbau principle. Electron Configurations and the Periodic Table- relation of electron configuration to position on the periodic table. Relationships Between the Elements- chemical families from electron configuration; valence electrons, Lewis dot formulas. Trends on the Periodic Table- periodic trends: atomic size. Ions and the Compounds They Form- ionization, ionic bonding. Writing and Naming Ionic Formulas- predicting charge. Covalent Bonding- nature and naming of covalent bonds. Molecular Architecture- polar molecule, electronic/ molecular models of covalent molecules. Chemical Reactions- mass & mole calculations, reaction types. Mathematics and Chemical Equations- stoichiometry, heat of reaction. The Kinetic Molecular Theory- gas properties, combined and universal gas laws. The Liquid State- phase change. The Solid State- intermolecular forces. Solution Process- solvation, concentration, solubility, colligative properties. Ions in Solution- dissociation, electrolytes, non-electrolytes, ionic/ net-ionic equations. Chemical Kinetics- reaction rate. Chemical Equilibrium- reaction rates, equilibrium constant, Le Chatelier's principle, solubility product constant. Acids and Bases- strength of acids & bases, hydrolysis, pH. Water, pH, and Titration- dissociation of water, acid-base indicators, buffers. Thermodynamics- bond breaking and formation, heat of reaction and formation, Hess' law, entropy, Gibb's free energy. Electrochemistry- oxidation-reduction, electrochemical cells. Nuclear Chemistry- radioactivity, nuclear equations/ energy. Organic Chemistry- hydrocarbons, functional groups.

Date Added: 03/19/2020


CK-12 Calculus, Volume 1

by Ck-12 Foundation

An open source textbook.

Date Added: 03/19/2020


CK-12 Basic Physics - Second Edition

by Ck-12 Foundation

An open source textbook.

Date Added: 03/19/2020


CK-12 Geometry - Second Edition, Volume 1 of 2

by Ck-12 Foundation

An open source textbook.

Date Added: 03/19/2020


Business Communication for Success

by Scott Mclean

This book is suited for Business Communication courses, but is also appropriate for Business English, Business Presentation, Professional Communication courses. Scott McLean brings his authoring expertise to this new communications textbook. Scott has authored textbooks in the areas of Speech Communication, Interpersonal Communication and Public Speaking. Business Communications for Success benefits from Scott's extensive understanding of how students learn the art of effective communication. Students are provided ample opportunity to engage with the concepts, vocabulary and models covered in the text, including role-playing exercises, journal writings, case studies, small-group activities, games, and self-assessment activities.

Date Added: 03/19/2020


Communication in the Real World

by Richard G. Jones Jr.

Communication in the Real World: An Introduction to Communication Studies by Richard G. Jones, Jr. overviews the time-tested conceptual foundations of the field, while incorporating the latest research and cutting-edge applications of these basics. Each chapter will include timely, concrete, and real-life examples of communication concepts in action. A key feature of this book is the integration of content regarding diversity and organizational communication in each chapter through examples and/or discrete sub-sections. Discussions of diversity are not relegated to feature boxes. Also integrated into the content are examples that are inclusive in terms of race, gender, sexuality, ability, age, marital status, religion, and other diverse identity characteristics.

Date Added: 03/19/2020


College Physics

by OpenStax

This introductory, algebra-based, two-semester college physics book is grounded with real-world examples, illustrations, and explanations to help students grasp key, fundamental physics concepts. This online, fully editable and customizable title includes learning objectives, concept questions, links to labs and simulations, and ample practice opportunities to solve traditional physics application problems.

Date Added: 03/19/2020



Showing 1 through 25 of 147 results