Biological Sciences Subject Guide
Overview
The following is a selected list of resources in the Biological Sciences. For further assistance ask at the Science Reference Desk or make an appointment with Barbara Cockrell, librarian for the Biological Sciences, 387-5142, barbara.cockrell@wmich.edu.
Article Databases
Core Biology IndexBIOSIS Previews Comprehensive index with abstracts to periodical articles, reviews, and meetings in all the biological sciences disciplines. Coverage: 1969-present. Updated weekly.
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- RefWorks Info: For Import Filter, choose "ISI (Institute for Scientific Information)". For Database, choose "BIOSIS".
More Biology Indexes In alphabetical order.
AGRICOLA Covers agriculture, forestry and animal science, includes food science and nutrition. Coverage 1970 - present. Updated monthly.
- RefWorks Info: For Import filter, choose "OCLC FirstSearch". For Database: choose, "AGRICOLA".
Biological and Agricultural Index Indexes popular and professional journals in agriculture, biology, forestry, and ecology. Coverage: 1983 - present. Updated: monthly.
- RefWorks Info: For Import Filter, choose "OCLC FirstSearch". For Database, choose "BioAgIndex".
Biology Digest Indexes non-technical life sciences articles for undergraduate and high school students. Coverage: 1989-present. Updated monthly, September-May.
- RefWorks Info: Biology Digest will export marked citations directly into your RefWorks account. (You will be prompted to login.)
BioOne Covers over 200 high-impact, peer-reviewed full-text journals, in the biological, ecological, and environmental sciences. Includes The Arabidopsis Book. Most titles indesed are published by societies and non-profit scholarly publishers. Coverage, 2000-date. Continuously updated.
- RefWorks Info: Medline will export marked citations directly into your RefWorks account. (You will be prompted to login.)
Dissertations and Theses (ProQuest) Indexes virtually all doctoral dissertations and many masters theses produced in the U.S. since 1860 and many from foreign schools as well. Abstracts available from 1980. Full text for most dissertations available from 1997. Some authors choose to not make their dissertations available. Print and microfilm copies are offered for a fee, but check out Interlibrary Loan before paying for a copy.
- RefWorks Info: Dissertations and Theses (Proquest) will export marked citations directly into your RefWorks account. (You will be prompted to login.)
Environmental Sciences and Pollution Management Multidisciplinary index with abstracts of journals, conference proceedings, reports, books and government publications in the environmental sciences. Coverage: 1967- present. Updated monthly.
- RefWorks Info: Imports checked citations directly into RefWorks.
LexisNexis Environmental Indexes environmental content in journals, conference papers and proceedings, federal and state government reports, newspapers, trade magazines, newsletters, law reviews, administrative codes, case law, regulatory agency decisions, and waste site and hazardous material data.
Medline (FirstSearch) The major index to medical research, from clinical medicine to cellular and biomolecular biology. Produced by the US National Library of Medicine. Coverage: 1965 - present. Updated daily.
- RefWorks Info: Medline will export marked citations directly into your RefWorks account. (You will be prompted to login.)
Medline (SciFinder Scholar) SciFinder Scholar allows you to search the National Library of Medicine's MEDLINE and Chemical Abstracts simultaneously.
One-time registration is required for Web-access. Web-based access is limited to four simultaneous users. Please logout when finished. MEDLINE can also be searched via FirstSearch and PubMed.
PubMed Is the National Library of Medicine's interface for searching MEDLINE, the major index to medical research, from clinical medicine to cellular and biomolecular biology. Free citations and abstracts, limited full text. Coverage: 1966 - present. Updated weekly.
Tips for using PubMed effectively are found in the NLM PubMed tutorial and UFL PubMed tutorial. MEDLINE can also be searched via FirstSearch which provides direct links to: full text online when available, WMU's catalog and interlibrary loan.
Science Citation Index Covers major scholarly journals for science, medicine and engineering. Cited Ref. search feature finds articles that cited a specific author or publication. Coverage: 1900 - present. Details
Scopus Scopus is a very large abstract and indexing database primarily covering scholarly literature in science and social science. Use this to get extensive inter-disciplinary access to journal articles and also to find out which articles are being cited by other scholars. Scopus includes 14,000 peer-reviewed titles from more than 4,000 international publishers. Coverage from 1995. Tutorial
- RefWorks Info: Scopus will export marked citations directly into your RefWorks account. (You will be prompted to login.)
Web of Science Contains three major databases: (1) Science Citation Index Expanded (1900-present), (2) Social Sciences Citation Index (1956-present), and (3) Arts & Humanities Citation Index (1975-present). Cited Ref. Search allows users to search for articles that cite a particular author or work. Tutorial
Please LOGOFF when finished, so others may use the database.
RefWorks Info: For Import Filter, choose "ISI (Institute for Scientific Information)". For Database, choose "Web of Science".
Annual Reviews
Annual Reviews This series provides excellent syntheses of research in a wide range of Biological disciplines. All biological titles except Annual Review of Biomedical Engineering and Annual Review of Immunology are available to WMU users.
Biodiversity
Agriculture Network Information Center (AgNIC) Agricultural information selected by the National Agricultural Library, Land-Grant Universities, and other institutions.
Biodiversity and Conservation Hypertext book covering the origin, nature and value of biological diversity, the threats to its continued existence, and approaches to preserving what is left.
The European Molecular Biology Laboratory Reptile Database Primarily a checklist of names and synonyms of living reptiles including turtles, lizards, snakes, and crocodiles. Some photographic images and molecular sequencing information.
Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) Coordinates and supports the capacity to access the worldwide biodiversity data held in natural history museum collections, libraries and databanks.
Entomology Index of Internet Resources
Iowa State Entomology Index is a directory and search engine of quality insect-related internet resources.
Integrated Taxonomic Information System An ongoing cooperative project by US, Canadian, and Mexican agencies to develop an online, scientifically credible list of the biota of North America.
National Museum of Natural History: Research & Collections Useful for taxonomic research or specimen cataloging in museum or research collections.
Peterson Birding Resources Information abut birds and birding. Supported by the American Birding Association.
PLANTS National Database
Information about the approximately 45,000 currently recognized plant taxa, (vascular and nonvascular), known to occur as native or naturalized species within the US and its territories.
The Tree of Life Browsable and searchable database of published literature in phylogeny and biodiversity. Can generate maps and graphics.
Treesearch - Forest Service Research
This is an online database to forestry research conducted by scientists in the USDA Forest Service, including full text government books, journal articles, conference papers and other types of research papers.
The Virtual Library of Ecology and Biodiversity Searchable indexed links to Web resources on: Endangered Species, Sustainability, Biodiversity and Conservation, Pollution, Human Population, International Treaties and more.
Biomedicine
All the Virology on the WWW For the professional virologist and the general public, this site includes photos, taxonomy, course notes, techniques and genome sequence data. Links to AIDS and HIV information, and Virology in the News.
Neurosciences on the Internet A searchable and browsable index that includes neuroanatomy, biochemistry, medicine, cognitive neurosciences and human neurological diseases. Useful to all levels, from general readers to experienced researchers.
Books
Classic Library Catalog WMU's Classic online catalog (also known as WestCat), is used to identify books (including electronic books), government documents, journals, audio and video, slides, music scores, and other items in the University Libraries' collections. The catalog can be searched by title, author, subject heading, keyword, call number, and more.
When looking for a topic use the keyword search in WestCat. Click on the subject headings of relevant Westcat records to find similar materials.
Catalogs of Other Libraries The library catalogs of many colleges, universities and local libraries can be searched online. They may be useful in finding materials our Libraries don't own. You may then decide to request these materials through interlibrary loan.
WorldCat Comprehensive catalog of books and other materials in libraries around the world. Contains millions of records in hundreds of languages. Nonbook materials include (among other publication formats) the titles of journals and magazines, manuscripts, maps, electronic resources, websites, computer programs, music scores, films, slides, sound recordings, conference proceedings, and videotapes. Items located through WorldCat must be requested through Interlibrary Loan unless they are also listed in the WMU Libraries catalog.
Call Numbers and Subject Headings Most material in WMU Libraries is organized by the Library of Congress system. The following call letters represent the basic organizational structure for this discipline. For various reasons material may be assigned a call number that places it in an unexpected location. Use WestCat when searching for specific books and journals.
QH Natural History, including:
QH 75-77 Nature Conservation
QH 201-278 Microscopy
QH 426-470 Genetics
QH 540-549 Ecology - general and animal
QH 573-671 Cytology
QK Botany (including plant ecology)
QL Zoology
QM Human Anatomy
QP Physiology
QP 501-801 Animal Biochemistry
QR Microbiology
In addition:
QD 415-431.7 Biological Chemistry
RA 1190-1270 Toxicology
Dictionaries & Encyclopedias
AccessScience The McGraw-Hill Encyclopedia of Science and Technology, online.
This subscription is limited to five simultaneous users. Please logout when finished. Includes articles, definitions, biographies, research updates, news items, study guides and essay topics.
BioTech: Life Sciences Resources and Reference Tools Includes an extensive dictionary, annotated lists of biomedical Web sites, plus information about human biochemistry, medicinal botany and bioinformatics.
Concise Encyclopedia of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology QD 415 .A25 B713 1997 (Sci.R)
Credo Reference (Formerly Xreferplus) Full text online from over 400 encyclopedias, dictionaries and other reference books. Search a topic, build a concept map or browse information sources organized by subject. Find text, images, sound files, sortable data tables and more.
Dictionary of Gene Technology QH 506 . K333 2004 (Sci.R)
Diversity of life [electronic resource] : the illustrated guide to the five kingdoms
Encyclopedia of Entomology Contains a broad overview of insects and their close relatives, including taxonomy, behavior, ecology, physiology, history, and management.
Details
Encyclopedia of Forest Sciences
Covers the basic information on forestry, including biology and ecology, different types of forestry (e.g. tropical forestry and dryland forestry), scientific names of trees and shrubs, and the applied, economic, and social aspects of forest management.
Encyclopedia of Human Biology QP 11 .E53 1997 (Sci.R)
Encyclopedia of Molecular Biology QH 506 .C74 1999 (Sci.R)
Encyclopedia of Pest Management A compilation of encyclopedic entries on various aspects of integrated pest management including biotechnology, genetically modified foods, public health, soil science, GIS and more. Details
Gale Encyclopedia of Science Covers all major areas of science, providing a comprehensive overview of current scientific knowledge and technology.
Kimball's Biology Pages Alphabetical index/glossary of biological terms (particularly cellular and molecular) with brief definitions, illustrations and links to related issues.
Synopsis and Classification of Living Organisms QH 83 .S89 (Sci.R)
Westcott's Plant Disease Handbook (E-Book)
Contains information about plant dieases and their pathogens, host plants and their diseases, classification of plant pathogens, and garden chemicals and their applications.
Educational Resources
National Library of Medicine Databases and Electronic Resources Links to multiple databases and files.
The Virtual Library: Science Links to materials on a broad range of topics including the biological sciences.
The World Lecture Hall Links to pages created by faculty worldwide who are using the Web to deliver class material.
WMU's Biological Sciences Department Information about the department and its research.
Genomes
DOEgenomes Genome programes of the US Department of Energy. Information about the human genome project and the microbial genome program.
GENATLAS Searchable index to published articles and the proceedings of Human Gene Mapping and Single Chromosome Workshops.
National Center for Biotechnology Information Information about, and access to the Human Genome. Includes search and analysis capabilities to find a gene's location; find neighboring genes; correlate many diseases to genes; see genetic variations; find if similar genes exist in another organism.
National Human Genome Research Institute Primarily for individuals involved in genome research and its applications. Includes a glossary, links to various genetic databases, research and funding information, workshops etc.
NCBI Taxonomy Homepage Access to genetic databases for protein and nucleic acid sequences of all organisms currently cataloged with NCBI. Excellent interpretive information.
Government Agencies
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry A wealth of toxicological information and links to other relevant sites and databases.
Federal World Information Assistance in identifying and linking to US government agencies' Web sites.
National Institutes of Health Includes links to major NIH sites and databases.
Natural Resources Conservation Service A branch of USDA that works in partnership with citizens to conserve and sustain natural resources.
US Department of Agriculture Extensive site with links to individual agencies, legislation, reports, etc.
US Environmental Protection Agency Information and multiple databases including Envirofacts, a single access point to seven major EPA databases.
Guides
Using the Biological Literature: A Practical Guide QH 303.6 .D38 2002 (Sci.R)
Detailed guide arranged by broad subject categories (e.g. Microbiology) subdivided into different forms of information material (Databases, Dictionaries etc.)
A Source Book of Biological Names and Terms QH 83 .J3 1955 (Sci.R)
Index to Illustrations of Animals and Plants QH 46.5 .C54 1991 (Sci.R)
Organizations
American Institute for Biological Sciences
American Physiological Society
American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
American Society for Cell Biology
American Society for Microbiology
Community of Science Database of 50,000 first-person expertise descriptions. Primarily designed to identify research contacts and funding opportunities.
Ecological Society of America,
Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB) Links to all member societies of FASEB.
Genetics Societies Includes links to societies concerned with human, medical and general genetics.
National Audubon Society Links to local Audubon chapters and other conservation and environmental Web sites.
Society for Neuroscience An organization of scientists and physicians who study the brain and nervous system.
Society of Research Administrators' Grants Web Information about Federal and nonfederal funding opportunities.
People/Biographical
Community of Science Database of 50,000 first-person expertise descriptions. Primarily designed to identify research contacts and funding opportunities.
Faces of Science: African Americans in the Sciences
Biographical profiles of African Americans in the sciences, math and engineering.
Science Biography Resources Compiled by the University of Chicago Library information system.
American Men and Women of Science Profiles prominent living North American and Canadian Scientists with particular emphasis on the physical and biological sciences. References to earlier editions are given for previous entrants now known to be deceased. Print editions have the call number Q 141 .A471x (latest in Sci.R.)
The Cambridge Dictionary of Scientists Q 141 .C128 2002 (Sci.R) Short but reliable accounts of life and work of major contributors to science throughout history. Covers 1,300 key scientists from approx. 40 countries in all fields. Includes explanations of named scientific laws, units and effects.
Dictionary of Scientific Biography Q 141 .D5 (Sci.R)
Multi-volume set of articles on the professional lives of scientists of all disciplines from classical antiquity through the mid 1900's. References to original articles are supplied and the index is organized to permit tracing the evolution of concepts and subjects over time.
Notable Twentieth-Century Scientists Q 141 .N73 1995(Sci.R)
Biographical information on approximately 1,300 significant twentieth century scientists from all scientific disciplines. This four-volume set seeks to include the achievements of women, minority and non-western scientists often historically under-represented.
Writing Style Guides
A Short Guide to Writing about Biology QH 304 .P43 1997
Writing Papers in the Biological Sciences QH 304 .M36 2001
Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association 5th Edition: A Brief Guide A brief overview of how the most commonly used types of references should be cited using the APA (American Psychological Association) bibliographic style. For more complete information, consult the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (BF 76.7.P83 2001); copies are available at all WMU libraries' reference desks.
Electronic Reference Formats Recommended by the American Psychological Association Covers commonly asked questions about how to cite electronic media. Excerpted from the 5th edition of the APA Publication Manual.
American Medical Association Manual of Style R 119 .A533 2007 (Sci.R) Includes style, terminology, units of measure, grammar, ethical and legal considerations.
Authors Handbook of Styles for Life Science Journals R 119 .A85 1996 (Sci.R)
Includes information about the scope and styles of 440 major English-language journals across all fields of the Biological Sciences.
The Authors Guide to Biomedical Journals R 119 .A97 1996 (Sci.R)
Manuscript submission instructions for 235 leading Biomedical Periodicals.
Scientific Style and Format: The CBE Manual for Authors, Editors and Publishers T 11 .S386 1994 (Sci.R)
Produced by the Council of Biology Editors (CBE) this includes useful information on grammar, abbreviations, symbols and nomenclature as well as content, formatting etc.
Ask A Librarian
Carrie Leatherman
carrie.leatherman@wmich.edu
269-387-5142