<p>I’m taking a geosci mini course and the bookstore notes a “recommended” text (syllabus says it’s the suggested textbook for the course). I’d hate to spend $100 for a book that really isn’t needed, but am having a hard time with the concept of a course that requires no books at all. Has anyone here taken a geosci such as that? Should I skip the book or will it really be beneficial even if it’s not required?</p>
<p>From my experience in geosci mini courses (I’ve taken four - 103, 105, 111, 114) it’s probably possible to do very well without the books. Even when I’ve bought the text for each course, it never came anywhere close to $100. I’d wait until at least the first day of class to see what the professor has to say.</p>