The vision for this textbook began with an effort to reduce costs for our students while also making sure we provide them with a resource that is aligned with our Introductory Biology Experience. We are inspired by the Vision and Change in Undergraduate Education Report^[1] and BioCore Guide,^[2] and we are always mindful of the core competencies that students need to develop and practice as they grow as biologists.^[3] Lastly, we have been inspired to humanize the textbook in an effort to guide students to make connections between the biological concepts and phenomena, the diverse individuals who contribute to the field, and biology’s impact on society.^[4]

This project has grown into an ongoing collaboration between faculty and students to develop a resource that represents our community and our interests. The product — this textbook — is a living document, that is, we will continue to develop and adapt it.  We hope our continued efforts will provide students with the opportunity to explore the vastness of biology at all scales of life, from the molecular to the ecological, and connect their learning to their lived experience.