Semester 1 and 2 Books for Ross University
As promised, here is the required and recommended book list for first and second semester Ross University students, with my feedback. Please remember, these are merely MY opinions. You may find out that you are the type of person who never even cracks open a textbook, or you might want to have them all. Also, keep in mind that most of the books are available to use at the library. But if you’re like me, and you don’t study in the library, then it might be really inconvenient for you to try to use theirs. As far as buying the books through the bookstore, it’s the easiest, but most expensive route. It’s convenient, because they ship them to campus, and have them waiting for you when you get here, but you can find the books online for much cheaper, if you’re willing to shop around, and have them shipped to campus. You can also just wait until you get here and try to find someone who is selling them, but this is much riskier because you might not be able to find all the books you need. If you decide to buy them online, please do use these links as I will get a small portion of the sales! Anyhoo, here is my 8 cents worth:
NOTE: I have updated this information as of May 13, 2007
Developmental & Microscopic Anatomy, Cell Biology, Embryology
Basic Histology: Text and Atlas | Ross & Pawlina | Required
It’s probably not a bad idea to get it. Though I only read maybe 30 pages out of the book, it was a pretty good resource. The exam questions come RIGHT off of the handouts, so you don’t need to know the extra stuff in the book, but it can be helpful to clarify confusing points.
Langman’s Medical Embryology | Sadler, TW | Required
Get it. This book actually sucks, but get it anyway. It’s very thin, and it helps reinforce the lecture material. Plus, it has lots of pictures that come from lecture.
Wheater’s Functional Histology with CD ROM | Young, B | Recommended
Probably don’t need it. Honestly, I only opened it once to look at the pictures, but I never really used it.
Basic Histology: Text & Atlas, 10th Edition | Junqueira, LC | Recommended
It’s pretty good, though I never really used it. If you find histo difficult, you might want to get it. It simplifies all the concepts.
Binocular microscope | Recommended
I’m confused on this. We’ve never touched a microscope. I don’t understand why this is on here. I don’t know why you’d need one. All of our slides are electronic.
Biochemistry and Genetics
Principles of Medical Biochemistry | Meisenberg &Simmons | Required
Buy it!! Dr. Meisenberg wrote the book, and he’ll be giving some of your lectures.
Medical Genetics | Jorde, LB, et al | Required
I never touched this book. The handouts were completely sufficient. But if you need help with some of the concepts, it’s not a bad book.
Human Molecular Genetics | Strachan, Tom & Read | Recommended
Same as above.
Color Atlas of Genetics | Passarge, Eberhard | Recommended
Same as above.
Doctor, Patient, and Society
Behavioral Science and Health Care | Sahler, OJ | Required
Never needed it.
Dorland’s Pocket Medical Dictionary | Dorland | Required
Don’t really need it, but it’s not a bad book to own.
Bates Guide to Physical Examination and History Taking | Bickley, L | Recommended
Don’t need it for 1st and 2nd semesters, but definitely do for 3rd and 4th!
Neuroscience, Gross Anatomy, Medical Physiology
Barr’s The Human Nervous System: an anatomical viewpoint | Kiernan | Required
I never used any of my Neuro books. The handouts were always sufficient. But I also had undergrad experience in neuro, so if you have problems with the concepts, it might help to clarify.
Neuroanatomy: An Atlas of Structures, Sections and Systems | Haines | Required
I never used any of my Neuro books. The handouts were always sufficient. But I also had undergrad experience in neuro, so if you have problems with the concepts, it might help to clarify.
Clinically Oriented Anatomy | Moore & Dalley | Required
Buy it. You’ll never read the whole thing, but it’s a good reference.
Grant’s Dissector | Tank | Required
MUST BUY IT! You’ll need it for anatomy lab.
Netter’s Clinical Anatomy | Hansen & Lamber | Required
The bible. Buy it.
Medical Physiology | Boron and Boulpaep | Required
I’d rather shoot myself. This book DID NOT help me one bit.
Neuroanatomy through Clinical Cases | Blumenfeld | Recommended
I never used any of my Neuro books. The handouts were always sufficient. But I also had undergrad experience in neuro, so if you have problems with the concepts, it might help to clarify. And this is a good one for neuro testing.
The Human Brain | Nolte | Recommended
I never used any of my Neuro books. The handouts were always sufficient. But I also had undergrad experience in neuro, so if you have problems with the concepts, it might help to clarify.
Cross Sectional Human Anatomy | Dean & Herbener | Recommended
Buy it. It’s got excellent pics.
Imaging Atlas of Human Anatomy | Weir, J | Recommended
Same as above. The pics help.
Grant’s Atlas of Anatomy | Agur & Dalley | Recommended
Buy it. The pics will help you.
Required Supplies for Anatomy
Long lab coat; scrub set; gloves; dissection tool set including scalpel handle and extra blades
You only need the long lab coat if you don’t want to wear scrubs. Most people just wear scrubs. You don’t have to buy ones if you already have some. You need the dissection kit.
Equipment required for Clinical Teaching in Semesters 1–4
Blood Pressure Set; Littmann Lightweight Stethoscope; 256 and 512 Tuning fork; Buck Neurological Tendon Hammer; Taylor reflex hammer; Pocket Eye Chart; Penlight; Ophthalmoscope and Otoscope; White lab coat with ID holder.
It depends on what kind of person you are. Personally, I wanted to practice the clinical stuff as soon as possible. It doesn’t hurt to have them handy. I don’t know about you, but I enjoy hammering my friends.
Other Books Not on the List
For some reason, none of the Pre-Test or Board Review Series (BRS) books were on this year’s list. I actually recommend all the BRSs. They don’t always supplement the lectures perfectly, but they are good for a high yield review, and for the questions. Some people love the Pre-Test books, but I never really used them. Also, Costanzo’s Physiology is an excellent book for physiology. I have no idea why it wasn’t on the list. Another good book to invest in is the First Aid for USMLE Step 1. It’s a good idea to start studying for the Step 1 from Day 1 of medical school.
Here are links to the BRS books:
Board Review Series: Cell Biology and Histology
Board Review Series: Physiology
Board Review Series: Gross Anatomy
Board Review Series: Biochemistry
Board Review Series: Neuroanatomy
That’s all I can think of right now. Please do email me if you have any other questions!
My name is Kendra and I am a fourth-year medical student attending 
Hi Kendra,
I adore your new hair style!
It’s always interesting to read student opinions on these sorts of things. A few comments from me on some of the books:
Langman’s Medical Embryology is shameful. Many medical schools are now using it in place of Moore’s various embryology books which, although far more in depth than any medical student is required to know, were great resources. If I had my way, we would get rid of Langman’s before it even hit the bookstores.
Wheater’s Histology is good for the pictures – truly “text book” histology images – but not as good for the background/physiology of each tissue. Junqueira is much better for this but some of the histology images in Junqueira are shockingly poor. We need a text that combines the qualities of each … hmmm, maybe I should write a book?
Microscope: I think that you’ll find that this simply hasn’t been removed from the list from the good ol’ days when we actually looked through microscopes. We had a microscope on the list of recommendations for many years after switching to virtual slides (before somebody woke up and noticed that it was still on the list).
I’d enjoy hearing your opinion on the entire DPAS course (not just the textbooks).
I’m surprised to hear that you’d rather shoot yourself then refer to Boron and Boulpaep. I’ll grant that it’s a pretty intense read at times but I’ll be willing to place a bet that you will be thankful that you have it later in your studies. I find it a particularly valuable resource for reproductive physiology. Maybe you can update us with your opinion at the end of your basic science studies?
We have recently dropped Nolte in neuro as students were complaining about the lack of clinical relevance.
Cheers!
Dr. K.
Dr. K,
I’m glad you like my new hair style! It’s very low maintenance.
Thanks for your feedback. As far as the microscope, I actually did buy one for class and would have loved to use it. I was a little sad when I found out that Ross (I knew many other schools had) had gone electronic. I’m sort of old school when it comes to things like that. As far as the Boron and Boulpaep book is concerned, I may have been a bit harsh. Actually, you’ve inspired my next rant about medical school. The thing with med school (at least the beginning) is that you’re basically expected to be a jack of all trades but master of none. I really wish I had the time to sit down and read that entire book, but it’s just not feasible. I hate the term “high-yield,” but unfortunately, you have to lean towards it in medical school – at least for the basic sciences. Perhaps I’ll give it another read during my break – now that I have the time to actually sit down and enjoy it! 
As for the DPAS course, did you mean DPS? Doctor, Patient, and Society? If so, I do have a lot to ay about that class.
Cheers,
Kendra
Hi Kendra,
Yes, I was speaking of Doctor, Patient and Society (DPAS). And I would enjoy reading what you have to say about it. (Together with your future rant about being a jack of all trades but master of none.)
Believe it or not but there really are some med school faculty members who welcome (and appreciate) constructive criticism re: med school curricula. Count me in.
Cheers,
Dr.K.
I would welcome any input to my question. I am trying to determine the best value and performance otoscope/ophthalmoscope to buy for clinical rotations. I am a PA student rather than a medical student, and like all students I do not have unlimited funds. So, I’ve guessed that Welch Alyn is the most common & maybe the best brand. But, which model? Is it really worth spending $200 to $400 for this item? If I knew that I would go into ENT I would spend more, but more likely I will go into ER or plastic surgery. Also, what is the difference between the cheaper models versus the over $500 ones?
Anyone with any input, please e-mail.
Thanks,
Christine M.
Hey, I like all the comments on the books, I share most of your opinions on which are good and which are bad including the B and B physio book. One thing I would like to add though is that Island Thrift, located near campus and run by students (myself included), sells all the required and recommended used books as well as appliances, household goods and unopened toiletries like sun tan lotion all for much less than the bookstore.
Carly,
I will be attending Ross university startin this August/September and I am a bit worried about the books list. If I don’t order them from the book store and try and save some money by buying them from Island Thrift when I get onto the island is late august is there any gaurantee that i will be able to purchase all the required material there? Basically, I don’t want to wait and find out that all the books have already been sold by the time I get onto the island and be without books for the start of school.
Yes, old school style slides for the microscope is fun (I’m a pathologist, so of course I like it), but to be honest, unless you are going into pathology, you really don’t need to use a microscope much. I know, it’s sacrilege for me to even think this. Besides, in 10 years or so we will all be looking at our slides on a computer like the radiologists do already. But you gotta admit, the microscope looks the best!
Hey thanks for all the info. It’s great to have someone who’s been through the first two years to talk to.