USABO

Introduction

Welcome to the USABO link exchange. Collect any useful links you come across and put them up on this site. Spend your time studying - not Googling fruitlessly - and help your colleagues do the same.

This page is intended as a resource for those preparing for the USA Biology Olympiad. Others are welcome.

IBO Syllabus

Contains a complete list of exam topics, rules, and background information. Not to be missed.

Theoretical Topics

Plant Anatomy and Physiology (15%)

• Word - Outline of plant chapters in Campbell
• Plant Anatomy course website - Contains a comprehensive image database of prepared slides. The best way to learn microanatomy is to look at pictures and try to understand them...these are excellent prep for practical.

Genetics and Evolution (20%)

• Zip file - contains DOS-based population genetics simulator. Teaches selection, heterozygous advantage, genetic drift, and speciation.

Ecology (10%)

• Word - Outline of ecology chapters in Campbell

Biosystematics (5%)

• IBO Syllabus - has the complete, official list of what you need to know. (Yes, that list. It's several pages long. Memorize it now or kick yourself later.)
• LARGE ppt - from Kay's high school biology team, written in 2003. Pictorial tour of basic taxonomy.
• Plant taxonomy - excellent summary. Note that a couple family names are different from the IBO list.
• Plant taxonomy course - very comprehensive, lots of pictures and a huge list of links.
• Bird taxonomy
• Insect family tree - good brief descriptions.
• Insect family worksheet

All-Purpose Resources

Textbooks

The overall content of the USABO exams comes from the leading textbook in biology, Campbell and Reece's Biology. The best thing students can do to prepare for the competition is thoroughly study the textbook. Students should attempt to learn the charts and formulas in the book and be able to reproduce them.

Biology (6th Edition)

   * by Neil A. Campbell (Author), Jane B. Reece (Author)
   * Hardcover: 1175 pages; Dimensions (inches): 1.81 x 11.02 x 9.38
   * Publisher: Pearson Higher Education; 6th edition (December 11, 2001)
   * ISBN: 0805366245

Additional References

Biology

   * by Peter Raven, George B. Johnson, Jonathan Losos, Susan Singer
   * Hardcover: 1238 pages
   * Publisher: McGraw-Hill College; 7 th edition (revised 2005)
   * ISBN: 0072921641

Biochemistry

   * by Donald Voet (Author), Judith G. Voet (Author)
   * Hardcover: 1664 pages
   * Publisher: Winway Corporation; 3rd edition (December 2003)
   * ISBN: 047119350X

Biology of Plants

   * by Peter H. Raven, Ray F. Evert, Susan E. Eichhorn
   * Hardcover: 944 pages; Dimensions (in inches): 1.45 x 11.20 x 9.42
   * Publisher: W H Freeman & Co.; 6th edition (January 1999)
   * ISBN: 1572590416

Life: The Science of Biology (6th Edition)

   * by Purves, Orians, Heller and Sadava
   * Hardcover: 1100 pages; Dimensions (in inches): 1.61 x 11.21 x 9.12
   * Publisher: W H Freeman & Co.; 6th edition (December 2000)
   * ISBN: 0716738732

Modern Genetic Analysis: Integrating Genes and Genomes

   * by Anthony J. F. Griffiths, William M. Gelbart, Richard C. Lewontin, Jeffrey H. Mille
   * Hardcover: 736 pages; Dimensions (in inches): 1.25 x 1.75 x 8.50
   * Publisher: W H Freeman & Co.; 2nd edition (March 2002)
   * ISBN: 0716743825

Molecular Biology of the Cell

   * by Bruce Alberts, Alexander Johnson, Julian Lewis, Martin Raff, Keith Roberts, Peter Walter
   * Hardcover: 1616 pages; Dimensions (in inches): 2.19 x 11.10 x 8.74
   * Publisher: Garland Pub; 4th edition (March 2002)
   * ISBN: 0815332181

The Ultimate Study Guide for Biology, Volume I, II, III

   * by Patrick Leonard
   * Publisher: Silver Educational Publishing (July 2004)
   * Volume I
         o  88 pages; ISBN: 0971999643 
   * Volume II
         o 87 pages; ISBM: 1933533015 
   * Volume III
         o 104 pages; ISBM: 1933023023

Practice Questions

Additional Practice

http://www.aso.edu.au/www/index.cfm?itemid=31

Specific to USABO

• Official CEE Website
• Camp 2006
• Advice to Students