Biological Sciences
For additional assistance, contact Elizabeth Kline
Background Information
Limited to University of Arizona students, faculty, staff and library users.
Electronic resource is also available.
BOOKS
To locate a book: Use Exact Search if you have an exact title or author name; use Keyword Search if you are searching with keywords.
A catalog of records for all types of material cataloged by libraries throughout the world. Includes records for books, journals, software, etc. created last week. This database is updated daily.
Free version of the WorldCat database that can show nearby library holdings.
E-BOOKS
ebrary is an online collection of books spanning multiple subject areas. You can also create a personal ebrary account which allows you to create a personal online bookshelf, save bookmarks within a book, annotate pages, and highlight specific passages for later reference. To view ebrary books you must install the ebrary Reader software. If the software isn't installed on the PC you are using, you will be prompted "Click here to download plugin" when you view a book. If the reader doesn't install automatically, use the "download ebrary Reader" link on the ebrary home page to install it.
Google Book Search > Biological Sciences
Search the full text of books to find ones that interest you and learn where to borrow or buy them. Clicking on a book result, you'll be able to see everything from a few short excerpts to the entire book, depending on a few different factors.
National Academies Press > Biology and Life Sciences
The National Academies Press (NAP) publishes more than 200 books a year on a wide range of topics in science, engineering, and health, capturing the most authoritative views on important issues in science and health policy. More than 3,000 books are available free online.
NCBI - Bookshelf (National Center for Biotechnology Information)
The Bookshelf can be searched directly by typing a concept into the textbox. Books are also linked to terms in PubMed abstracts: when viewing an abstract, select the "Books" link to see phrases within the abstract hyperlinked to book sections.
NetLibrary > Biological Sciences
NetLibrary is the most comprehensive collection of online eBooks and resource materials available. Using NetLibrary, you can access a wide range of scholarly and reference materials entirely online. To check out NetLibrary eBooks, you must create an account. UA users can create accounts and once you have a netLibrary account, you can use eBooks from any computer, regardless of its location. For more information about using NetLibrary, see their page on How to use NetLibrary, Search Tips, or their Help page.
Springer Online (Kluwer) > Biomedical and Life Sciences
Includes current and some back issues of Springer/Verlag & Birkhauser publications in the fields of biology/biomedicine, chemistry, geosciences, computer sciences, mathematics, medicine, physics, engineering, ecology, and economics. Kluwer is now owned by Springer and access to former Kluwer journals is available from the Springer Web site.
Wiley Interscience > Life Sciences
Wiley Interscience provides access to electronic editions of approximately 150 journals published by John Wiley and Sons.
ENCYCLOPEDIAS
Concise as well as scholarly articles on a wide range of subjects.
Encyclopedia of Bioethics
QH 332 .E52 1995 Science Ref / Info Commons Ref
"...moral dimentions of the life sciences and health care..." Articles on topics ranging from animal research to social medicine.
Encyclopedia of Environmental Biology
QH 540.4 .E52 1995 Science Library
Articles reflect important areas in the study of the environment, ranging from public and research interest to environmental law. Each entry has an outline, glossary, cross references and bibliography. Subject index in last volume.
Encyclopedia of Ethical, Legal and Policy Issues in Biotechnology
TP248.16 .E539 2000 Science Ref
Encyclopedia of Gerontology: Age, Aging, and the Aged
RC 952.5 .E58 1996 Science Library
Covers the molecular and biological processes of aging to psychological and social issues.
Encyclopedia of Human Biology
QP 11 .E53 1997 Science Ref / Info Commons Ref
A complete source of information on the human organism. Each article is a comprehensive overview of a selected topic for readers ranging from general public to research professionals. Use the Index for best access.
Encyclopedia of the Life Sciences 
Fully searchable, working editorial site of articles by scientists and scientific historians in the fields of biochemistry and physiology, cell biology, developmental biology, ecology, evolution, genetics, immunology, molecular biology, neuroscience, microbiology and virology, plant science, structural biology, and science and society.
Encyclopedia of Microbiology
QR 9 .E53 1992 Science Library
Focus is on microorganisms; articles include sources for further investigation.
Encyclopedia of Toxicology
RA1193 .E53 2005 Science Ref
Encyclopedia of Virology
QR 358 .E53 1999 Science Ref
The largest comprehensive reference source of current virological information available.
Grzimek's Animal Life Encyclopedia
QL 3 .G7813 Science Library
13 volume set covering animal life from the 1-celled to the musk ox. Entries include in depth descriptions of life history, colored plates, line drawings, maps, etc. Each volume ends with a review of the classificat in system, translation dictionary of animal names, and a supplemental reading list.
Life on Earth : an Encyclopedia of Biodiversity, Ecology, and EvolutionQH541.15.B56 L54 2002 Science Library
McGraw Hill Encyclopedia of Science and Technology
Q 121 .M3 2002 Science Ref / Info Commons Ref
Articles begin with a definition, give a brief overview of a topic, then develop the topic more fully. Index is Vol. 20.
DICTIONARIES
The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Botany
QK 9 .C67 1992 Science Ref
Short definitions, brief biographical entries, descriptions of taxonomic groups, cross references.
Dictionary of Cell Biology
QH 575 .D5 1995 Science Library
Updated edition; broadens out to cover new areas in molecular biology and neurobiology. Includes tables: CD antigens, fatty acids, G proteins, etc.
A Dictionary of Genetics
QH 427 .K55 2002 Science Library
Includes definitions of abbreviations, acronyms, and terms encountered in the genetics literature. Many illustrations, chemical formulas, and tables. Appendices: classification of organisms, domesticated species, chronology of events, lists of periodicals and databases.
Dictionary of Horticulture
SB45 .D635 1994 Science Ref
A gardening reference - to help break the taxonomic and linguistic codes of the field.
Dictionary of Nutrition and Dietetics
TX 349 .D78 1996 Science Ref
Comprehensive source for practical nutrition topics, nutrients, nutrition and disease. Written in easy-to-understand language. Includes many charts, tables, and illustrations.
Lexicon of Psychiatry, Neurology, and the Neurosciences
RC 334 .A96 1995 Science Library
A glossary of terms to deal with basic biological and neurological concepts.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Bioscience (2003)
QH302.5 .M382 2003 Science Library
Each definition, including acronyms and abbreviations, is identified by the field of primary use. Includes pronunciation.
Stedman's Medical Dictionary
R121 .S8 2006 Law Ref
R121 .S8 1995 Science Library
Includes anatomy terms (Latin & English), a Wordfinder to help locate multi-word terms, color illustrations, diagrams; other good resources at front and back of the book.
Black's Veterinary Dictionary
SF 609 .B53 2001 Science Ref
Focuses on first-aid and preventive measures; includes techniques of interest to farmers.
HANDBOOKS
Comprehensive Molecular Insect Science Online 
Covers physiology, biochemistry, pharmacology, behavior, and control of insects. Audience includes research workers, teachers, and students of insect science / entomology, developmental biology and molecular biology. Full-text online version of the 2004 revised, expanded and re-titled 7 volume print set "Comprehensive Insect Physiology, Biochemistry and Pharmacology" originally published in 1985.
Anatomy & Medical Illustrations, from the Amer. Med. Assoc
Bergey's Manual of Determinative Bacteriology
QR 81 .A5 1994 Science Ref / Info Commons Ref
9th edition - a reference aid for identification of bacteria that have been described and cultured.
Color Atlas of Biochemistry
QP 514.2 .K6613 2005 Science Ref
Concise and visual - focuses on the relationship between chemical structure and biological function in humans and other mammals.
Five Kingdoms: An Illustrated Guide to the Phyla of Life on Earth
QH 83 .M36 1998 Science Ref
Lots of illustrations, photos, and descriptive text to introduce the kingdoms and phyla from microbes to macroscopic organisms.
Index to Illustrations of Animals and Plants
QH 46.5 .C54 1991 Science Library
Look under the common name to find a source for a picture of an animal or plant. The list of sources has been annotated with call numbers if the UA library owns it. Index for scientific names.
Magill's Medical Guide: Health and Illness
RC 41 .M34 2005 Science Ref
Overview of the medical field - articles focus on specific disorders and afflictions, some on the basic conditions of life.
Magill's Survey of Science. Life Science Series
QH 307.2 .M34 1991 Science Ref
Each article includes a list of definitions, topic summary, how the topic is researched and relates to a field of study, and a bibliography.
NOTE: Users must register for a free CambridgeSoft membership account to use the Merck Index online.
Molecular Biology and Biotechnology: A Comprehensive Desk Reference
QH 506 .M66155 1995 Science Library
More than 250 articles, designed as self-contained treatments of the important topics in molecular biology. Definitions and bibliography with each entry.
Physicians' Desk Reference: PDR
RS75 .P5 Science Ref / Info Commons Ref
SOFTWARE @ INFORMATION COMMONS (IC)
Information Commons- Software - Class Software - Math, Science, Engineering
- MATLAB
(Available at Main Library IC, Science-Engineering Library IC, & Fine Arts Library IC.)
DISSERTATIONS & THESES
Dissertations and Theses - Full Text (ProQuest)
Index of North American PhD dissertations back to 1865, with PDF full text since about 1997.
Dissertations (University of Arizona electronic repository, 2005- )