For related Reference Sources Guides see: Environmental Science & Physical Sciences

General Sources

Xreferplus: Science
 (Internet Site: http://scroll.lib.wsc.ma.edu:2048/login?url=http://www.xreferplus.com/topic.jsp?sub=13)
An online collection of 21 reference books, including Academic Press Dictionary of Science and Technology; The Cambridge Dictionary of Scientists; Collins Dictionary of Biology; Dictionary of Developmental Biology and Embryology; Guide to Global Hazards; Guide to Minerals, Rocks and Fossils; Guide to the Oceans; Illustrated Dictionary of Science; The Macquarie Dictionary of Trees & Shrubs; McGraw-Hill Concise Encyclopedia of Science and Technology; McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific and Technical Terms; and The New Penguin Dictionary of Science.

McGraw-Hill Encyclopedia of Science & Technology, 10th edition. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2007.
  (REF Q121 .M3 2007)
This new edition continues to provide articles on "pertinent information in every field of modern science and technology" and includes revised articles in "certain rapidly advancing areas, particularly in cell and molecular biology; information technology and telecommunications; nanotechnology; the environmental, earth, and climate sciences; materials science; and cosmology." Articles are written by scholars and include broad survey articles for readers with little knowledge in a discipline and specialized articles for more advanced readers. Entries are cross-referenced and the last volume is an index.

Oxford Dictionary of Biology (4th ed.). Eds. Elizabeth Martin & Robert S. Hine. New York: Oxford University Press, 2000.
  (REF QH302.5 .D5 2000)
This dictionary contains over 4,700 entries covering the fields of biology, biochemistry, medicine, palaeoanthropology, biotechnology, molecular genetics, and geology, physics, and chemistry terms as they relate to biology.

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific and Technical Terms (6th ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill, 2003.
  (REF Q123 .M15 2003) or Online
Definitions vary in comprehension level from layman's terms to advanced terminology based on the level of the subject term and cover all areas of science and technology. Appendices include metric conversion tables, a guide to symbols used in mathematics, chemistry and scientific writing, and charts of physical constants. Online version is available through Xreferplus.

World of Scientific Discovery. Ed. by Bridget Travers. Detroit, MI: Gale Research, Inc., 1994.
  (REF Q126 .W67 1994)
This one volume work provides the reader with insight into scientific discoveries and provides brief biographies about scientists. Entries "focus on the process of scientific discovery rather than on detailed, technical explanations of scientific concepts." Entries are arranged alphabetically, and the volume is well indexed.

Encyclopedia of Evolution. Ed. Mark Pagel. New York: Oxford University Press, 2002.
  (REF QH360.2 .E54 2002)
This encyclopedia contains overview essays, bibliographical references, an index, and a topical outline.

Encyclopedia of Bioethics, 3rd ed. Ed. Stephen G. Post. New York: Macmillan, 2004.
  (REF QH332 .E52 2004)
This encyclopedia covers subjects relating to bioethics: "the systematic study of the moral dimensions - including moral vision, decisions, conduct, and policies - of the life sciences and health care." The articles in this encyclopedia are well-developed, signed by scholars, have bibliographies, and many have a listing of Internet resources.

Biological Textbooks - Center for Biological Informatics, U.S. Geological Survey
  (Internet site: http://www.nbii.gov/datainfo/onlineref/hypertexts.html)
Here find full-text editions of eight college textbooks and classic works from the life sciences.

Encyclopedia of Life Sciences (Online)      Limited to WSC community
 (Internet site: http://www.lib.wsc.ma.edu/dbalpha.htm#ELS)
Provides more than 3,000 specially commissioned, peer-reviewed and continually updated articles that integrate current theory, practice, and understanding of all basic and many applied aspects of the life sciences.

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Environmental Biology

Encyclopedia of Environmental Biology. Ed. William A. Nierenberg. San Diego: Academic Press, 1995.
  (REF QH540.4 .E52 1995)
This three volume set is designed to provide a "comprehensive overview of the selected topic to satisfy readers from students to professionals." A 10,000 entry subject index helps find topics that may cross broad subjects. Each article includes a glossary and bibliography for further reading.

Encyclopedia of Environmental Science. John Mongillo & Linda Zierdt-Warshaw. Phoenix, AZ: Oryx Press, 2000.
  (REF GE10 .M66 2000)
This one volume encyclopedia presents coverage of basic terminology and key topics in the field of environmental science.

Encyclopedia of Endangered Species. Ed. Mary Emanoil. Detroit, MI: Gale Research Inc., 1994.
  (REF QH75 .E49 1994)
This encyclopedia "describes over 700 animals and plants worldwide that are currently threatened with extinction." It is divided by type of species (i.e. mammal, birds, plants, etc.) and then arranged taxonomically by family and genus. Species are indexed by common and scientific names.

Beacham's Guide to the Endangered Species of North America. Eds. Walton Beacham, Frank V. Castronova, & Suzanne Sessine. Detroit, MI: Gale, 2001.
  (REF QH77 .N56 B43 2001)
This six volume set covers over 1,200 endangered plants and animals in North America. This set is organized taxonomically and each entry includes a color photograph, a description of the species, information on behavior, habitat, distribution, threats, and conservation and recovery.

Rivers of North America. Ed. Arthur C. Benke & Colbert E. Cushing. Boston: Elsevier/Academic Press, 2005.
 (REF QH102 .R58 2005)
This book organizes the rivers of North America into 22 geographic regions. Each chapter includes sections on individual rivers with information on physiography, climate, and land use; river geomorphology, hydrology, and chemistry; river biodiversity and ecology; and human impacts and special features. Pictures, maps, and literature cited are included for each chapter.

Dictionary of Ecology and the Environment (3rd ed.). Ed. P.H. Collin. Chicago: Fitzron Dearborn Publishers, 2001.
  (REF QH540.4 .C65 2001)

Dictionary of Environmental Science and Technology (3rd ed.). Andrew Porteous. New York: Wiley, 2000.
  (REF GE10 .P67 2000)
With over 4,000 entries, this dictionary covers terms from various disciplines that are related to environmental science and technology and includes illustrations and international case studies.

Environmental Science: Reference Sources (Internet site: http://www.lib.wsc.ma.edu/guidenviro.htm)

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Cellular & Molecular Biology

Encyclopedia of Genetics. Ed. Bryan D. Ness. Pasadena, CA: Salem Press, 2004.
  (REF QH427 .E53 2004)
This encyclopedia has signed entries written by scholars on various topics in genetics. Each entry includes a list of key terms with definitions, the significance of the topic, an accessible essay, a further reading list, and many have a listing of web sites of interest.

A Dictionary of Genetics (6th ed.). Eds. Robert C. King & William D. Stansfield. New York: Oxford University Press, 2002.
  (REF QH427 .K55 2002)
In addition to dictionary entries, this volume includes a chronology of genetics, a list of periodicals cited in the literature of genetics, and a list of genetics databases.

Dictionary of Microbiology and Molecular Biology (3rd ed.). P. Singleton & D. Sainsbury. New York: Wiley, 2001.
  (REF QR9 .S56 2001)
This dictionary has several appendices that cover pathways, acid cycles, biosynthesis, and a list of references.

Facts on File Dictionary of Biotechnology & Genetic Engineering. Mark L. Steinberg & Sharon D. Cosloy. New York: Facts on File, 2001.
  (REF TP248.16 .S84 2001)
This dictionary includes a bibliography.

Oxford Dictionary of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (2nd edition). Eds. R. Cammack. Oxford; NY: Oxford University Press, 2006.
  (REF QP512 .O94 2006)

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Organismal Biology

Life on Earth: An Encyclopedia of Biodiversity, Ecology, and Evolution. Ed. Niles Eldredge. Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO, 2002.
 (REF QH541.15.B56 L54 2002)
Beginning with three essays introducing biodiversity and its importance, this encyclopedia will be useful to students beginning their studies in biodiversity, ecology, or evolution. The entries in this encyclopedia are written and signed by scholars, but are brief and easy to understand. A bibliography is included with each entry.

The Facts on File Dictionary of Botany. Jill Bailey. New York: Facts on File, 2003.
  (REF QK9 .F33 2003)
A bibliography is included in this dictionary.

Plants and their Names: A Concise Dictionary. R. Hyam & R. Pankhurst. New York: Oxford University Press, 1995.
  (REF QK96 .P35 1995)
Plants are listed by scientific name and common name. In addition, where nomenclature has changed, references are given from an old name to the new one. Under each entry, a brief description of the plant is given.

Magill's Encyclopedia of Science: Plant Life. Ed. Bryan D. Ness & Christina J. Moose. Pasadena, CA: Salem Press, 2003.
  (REF QK7 .M34 2003)
This four volume set includes signed articles on cell structure and function, genetic and photosynthetic processes, evolution, classification, ecology and environmental issues, as well as organisms such as bacteria and algae. "Sources for further study" at the end of each essay, as well as a glossary and list of annotated web site addresses in the fourth volume, make this a very useful source.

Sea Life: A Complete Handbook to the Marine Environment. Ed. Geoffrey Waller. Washington D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press, 1996.
  (REF QL121 .S42 1996)
This one volume book begins with information on the oceanography and biology of marine environments. The majority of the book is dedicated to the "how to" of identifying marine creatures. A glossary and index are included.

Handbook of the Birds of the World. Ed. Josep del Hoyo, Andrew Elliott, & Jordi Sargatal. Barcelona: Lynx Edicions, 1992.
  (REF QL673 .H25 1992)
This three volume set is arranged by order, suborder, and family, and includes many color pictures. It provides in-depth information about each family. In addition, brief information about each species is provided. Each volume is indexed by common and scientific name.

Grzimek's Encyclopedia of Mammals. Ed. Sybil P. Parker. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1990.
  (REF QL701 .G7913 1990)
This five volume set provides in-depth information about mammals. It is divided by order, suborder, family and species. A tremendous amount of information is given about each animal and many color pictures are included. Each volume includes references and an index. The first volume contains a broad overview of mammals in general.

Magill's Encyclopedia of Science: Animal Life. Ed. Carl W. Hoagstrom & Tracy Irons-Georges. Pasadena, CA: Salem Press, 2002.
  (REF QL7 .M34 2002)
In four illustrated volumes, this source provides basic information on mammals which is not as specific by species as Grzimek's Encyclopedia listed above, but which provides order, suborder, and family details.

The Encyclopedia of Mammals. Ed. David Macdonald. New York: Facts on File, 2001.
  (REF QL703 .E53 2001)
This encyclopedia is well illustrated and information on the habitat, size, diet, breeding, and distribution of a species is paired with a brief essay.

Animal Behavior Desk Reference: A Dictionary of Animal Behavior, Ecology, and Evolution. Edward M. Barrows. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, 2001.
 (REF QL750.3 .B37 2001)
This annotated dictionary includes terms that will be relevant to scientists "in the fields of animal behavior, ecology, evolution, and related branches of biology." A list of references, hierarchical taxonomic tables of organism groups, and a list of relevant organizations are included as well.

World Wildlife Fund Guide to Extinct Species of Modern Times. Ed. Walton Beacham. Osprey, FL: Beacham Publishing, 1997.
  (REF QH75 .W675 1997)
This one volume work "describes 211 species that are believed to have become extinct since 1570 and discusses their probable causes of extinction." Provides description, behavior, habitat, distribution and causes for extinction.

A Dictionary of Ethology. By Klaus Immelmann & Colin Beer. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1989.
  (REF QL750.3 .I4513 1989)
Defines terms related to ethology (the biological study of animal behavior). Terms are cross-referenced to related and similar terms. A bibliography is included.

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Human Biology

PDR Atlas of Anatomy. Ed. Todd R. Olson. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Company, 1996.
  (REF QM25 .O476 1996)
The PDR Atlas pairs computer generated drawings of human anatomy with cadaveric photographs to provide "an overview of some of the most important dissections as seen in the laboratory."

Gray's Anatomy, 39th British Edition. Ed. Susan Standring. New York: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone, 2005.
  (REF QM23.2 .G73 2005)
A major work in medical education, this book provides detail descriptions of human anatomy.

Encyclopedia of Human Biology, 2nd ed. Ed. Renato Dulbecco. San Diego, CA: Academic Press, 1997.
  (REF QP11 .E53 1997)
This nine volume reference work provides 670 articles on all aspects of human biology. Volume nine is the index to the set with more than 4,200 entries to provide more in-depth access to each article.

Cambridge Encyclopedia of Human Growth and Development. Ed. Stanley J. Ulijaszek. New York: Cambridge U.P., 1998.
  (REF QP84 .C26 1998)
Here find signed articles covering topics such as chromosome aberrations, genetic disorders, genetics of growth, etc. Appendices include a glossary of terms and source lists for further reading. Use the index for easiest access.

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Nutrition

Encyclopedia of Human Nutrition. Ed. Michele Sadler. San Diego, CA: Academic Press, 1999.
  (REF QP141 .E526 1999)
Nutrients, diets, diseases, and other issues related to human nutrition are covered by lengthy essays in this encyclopedia. Most of the entries include diagrams, charts, and pictures, and all of the entries have a further reading list. The essays are written by scholars in the field of human nutrition.

The Encyclopedia of Vitamins, Minerals, and Supplements. Tova Navarra. New York : Facts on File, Inc., 2004.
  (REF QP771 .E53 2004)
Nutrients, supplements, diets, and diseases are covered with brief entries in this encyclopedia. There are several appendixes that cover the food pyramid, nutrition chronology, drug and nutrient interactions, recommended dietary allowance charts, and more.

Diet and Nutrition Sourcebook. Ed. Joyce Brennfleck Shannon. Detroit, MI: Omnigraphics, 2006.
  (REF RA784 .D534 2006)
This book provides "basic consumer health information about dietary guidelines and the food guidance system" with 79 chapters covering various topics. Sections include general nutrition information, nutrition intake and proportions, life stage nutrition issues, lifestyle and nutrition, weight control, supplements, nutrition for people with specific medical concerns, and national government nutrition support programs.

Foods & Nutrition Encyclopedia. Ed. Audrey H. Ensminger. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, 1994.
  (REF TX349 .F575 1994)
This encyclopedia "covers all aspects of foods-nutrition-health." Most entries are brief definitions, but some entries are several pages long.

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Biography

Dictionary of Scientific Biography. Ed. Charles Coulston Gillispie. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1970-1990.
  (REF Q141 .D5)
This 18 volume set covers scientists who have made a significant contribution to their area of science. It covers those involved in biology, as well as other disciplines. The set is arranged alphabetically by scientist. The index allows one to search by topic of science and find entries about the scientists who made contributions in that area.

Notable Twentieth-Century Scientists. Ed. Emily J. McMurray. Detroit, MI: Gale Research Inc., 1995.
  (REF Q141 .N73 1995)
This four volume set provides biographies for 1,300 scientists who lived during the twentieth century. Indexes allow searching by nationality, gender, specialization, and subject.

The Biographical Dictionary of Women In Science: Pioneering Lives from Ancient Times to the Mid-20th Century. Eds. Marilyn Ogilvie & Joy Harvey. New York: Routledge, 2000.
  (REF Q141 .B5285 2000)
The two volumes include bibliographical references and indexes.

Blacks in Science and Medicine. Vivian Ovelton Sammons. New York: Hemisphere Publishing Corporation, 1990.
  (REF Q141 .B58 1990)
This one volume book includes over 1,500 brief biographies of blacks in science and medicine. Each entry includes birth/death dates, education, brief biographical information, and references for further reading.

Biographical Dictionary of Scientists: Biologists. Ed. David Abbott. New York: Peter Bedrick Books, 1983.
  (REF QH26 .B54 1984)
This one volume book specifically focuses on providing biography on biologists. Entries are brief. Volume provides a glossary and is well indexed by subject matter and personal names.

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Databases:  Indexes, Abstracts, and Bibliographies Use to locate journal articles as well as published and unpublished research.

Ely Library Catalog
  (Internet Site: http://catalog.lib.wsc.ma.edu/)
The following are examples of subject headings relevant to biology for use in the Ely Library Catalog. Do not limit yourself to this list! Use the Library of Congress Subject Headings (Big Red Books) located at the reference desk for more possibilities or browse the online catalog for ideas. See Database Searching Guides for more help.

Mammals	Animal Behavior	Genetics
Anatomy	Biological Diversity	Ecology
Biology	Plants Identification	Microbiology

ProQuest Biology Journals     Limited to WSC community
  (Internet site: http://scroll.lib.wsc.ma.edu:2048/login?url=http://proquest.umi.com/login?COPT=REJTPTE1NDImSU5UPTAmVkVSPTI=&clientId=1534)
Provides access to a wide range of biology topics from 286 journal titles, with more than 250 journals available in full text. Coverage for many journals extends back to the 1990s.

BasicBIOSIS (FirstSearch)     Limited to WSC community
  (Internet site: http://www.lib.wsc.ma.edu/dbalpha.htm#BasicBIOSIS)
A four-year rolling file, the database provides information on recent developments in virtually every life science discipline. See Database Searching Guides for more help.

Biology Digest (FirstSearch)     Limited to WSC community
  (Internet site: http://www.lib.wsc.ma.edu/dbalpha.htm#Biology Digest)
Covers all of the life sciences with comprehensive abstracts of articles from over 180 journals. Provides easy access to new scientific developments. See Database Searching Guides for more help.

ProQuest Science Journals     Limited to WSC community
 (Internet Site: http://scroll.lib.wsc.ma.edu:2048/login?url=http://proquest.umi.com/login?COPT=REJTPTIzNjcmSU5UPTAmVkVSPTI=&clientId=1534)
Covers both the applied and general sciences. With coverage dating back to 1986, this database features over 490 titles - with more than 380 available in full text. Articles include all of the charts, diagrams, graphs, tables, photos, and other graphical elements that are vital to scientific and technical literature.

Medline via PubMed
  (Internet site: http://www.lib.wsc.ma.edu/dbalpha.htm#PUBMED)
Covers all areas of medicine. Indexes over 3,500 journals (most with abstracts). See Database Searching Guides for more help.

National Biological Information Infrastructure - Center for Biological Informatics, U.S. Geological Survey.
  (Internet site: http://www.nbii.gov/datainfo/onlineref/ejournals/)
Provides links to more than 140 electronic journals available on the Web. Some journals provide full content online, while others offer only abstracts and/or tables of content.

Academic Search Premier     Limited to WSC community
  (Internet site: http://www.lib.wsc.ma.edu/dbalpha.htm#Academic)
This is a multi-disciplinary full text database containing full text for nearly 4,650 serials, including more than 3,600 peer-reviewed publications. See Database Searching Guides for more help.

Health Reference Center Academic     Limited to WSC community
  (Internet site: http://www.lib.wsc.ma.edu/dbalpha.htm#Health Reference Center)
This database includes medical and consumer periodicals (approximately 887 fully indexed with 675 providing full text), health newsletters, reference books, referral information, topical overviews, and pamphlets. Also contains Clinical Reference Systems, which can be accessed by logging into HRCA and limit the results "by publication title" to "Clinical Reference Systems." See Database Searching Guides for more help

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Web Sites

WWW Resources by Subject [Ely Library at Westfield State College]
Directories of Internet links selected by Librarians.

Biology: (Internet Site: http://www.lib.wsc.ma.edu/biology.htm)
Environmental Science: (Internet Site: http://www.lib.wsc.ma.edu/earthsci.htm)
Medicine and Nutrition: (Internet Site: http://www.lib.wsc.ma.edu/med&nut.htm)

Try also the list of Internet Search Engines And Subject Directories
  (Internet Site: http://www.lib.wsc.ma.edu/engines.htm)
Be careful as you create your search. Refer to the tutorial: Searching the World Wide Web for information on the Internet, Netscape, and the World Wide Web, as well as for instructions on using web search engines, evaluating Internet sites, and using subject specific search guides.

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URL: http://www.lib.wsc.ma.edu/guidbiol.htm
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