Did you know that OpenStax, Rice University’s educational technology initiative that provides free learning resources for students and faculty, currently offers over 50 free (literally, they’re free), peer-reviewed, openly-licensed textbooks? Each available textbook can be viewed online, downloaded either as PDF or within an app, or can be ordered in print, if desired. You can use the text in whichever way is best for you and your students. You aren’t bound by copyright or digital rights restrictions, and you can adapt the book as you see fit. Do you teach calculus? There is a 3-volume calculus textbook available. Sociology? There is a 3rd edition sociology textbook available. Biology? That is available too!
Free, Open-access Textbooks
The latest editions of currently-available, free, openly-licensed OpenStax textbooks include:
Math
- Algebra and Trigonometry
- Calculus Volume 1, Calculus Volume 2, Calculus Volume 3
- College Algebra
- College Algebra with Corequisite Support
- Elementary Algebra
- Intermediate Algebra
- Introductory Business Statistics
- Introductory Statistics
- Prealgebra
- Precalculus
Science
- Anatomy and Physiology
- Astronomy
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Chemistry: Atoms First
- College Physics
- Concepts of Biology
- Microbiology
- Physics Volume 1, Physics Volume 2, Physics Volume 3
*Most recently announced, OpenStax will publish a new edition of the bestselling Organic Chemistry textbook, free for all to use and available for fall 2023 courses.
Social Sciences
- American Government
- Introduction to Anthropology
- Introduction to Political Science
- Introduction to Sociology
- Principles of Economics
- Principles of Macroeconomics
- Principles of Microeconomics
- Psychology
Humanities
Business
- Business Ethics
- Business Law Essentials
- Entrepreneurship
- Introduction to Business
- Introduction to Intellectual Property
- Introductory Business Statistics
- Organizational Behavior
- Principles of Accounting Volume 1: Financial Accounting
- Principles of Accounting Volume 2: Managerial Accounting
- Principles of Finance
- Principles of Management
Essentials
College Success
See the Complete OpenStax Textbook Library
Development Standards
All OpenStax textbooks are developed and peer-reviewed by educators to ensure they are readable and accurate. All textbooks meet standards, scope, and sequence requirements, making them seamlessly adaptable into existing courses.
Revisions
Once a textbook is published, the revision process is ongoing to make edits and improvements. Books are routinely updated for new discoveries, relevancy and currency, and diversity and representation.
Ancillary Materials
Textbooks are supported by instructor ancillaries and are available with the latest technology-based learning tools. Free instructor resources include LMS course cartridges, lecture slides, and test banks. A free online tool can help you find online courseware, homework, and labs that are fully integrated with OpenStax textbooks.
More Help Finding Open Textbooks
For more suggestions on finding low or no-cost materials, review the Free, Open, and Affordable Resources NIU LibGuide as well as additional tips offered by the Course Materials Affordability Task Force.
