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Articles and Databases

Core Resources

  • Biological Abstracts database information covers all aspects of biology, with emphasis on molecular biology, genetics and microbiology.
  • Web of Science database information (cited references) can be searched as a multidisciplinary database or you can search for new articles which cite an older article by using the cited ref search function.
  • PubMed database information is the premier source for aspects of human biology and medicine.

Also of interest

  • CAB ABSTRACTS database information is an international agriculture database that includes forestry, nutrition, world health and more. 
  • Environmental Sciences and Pollution Management database information covers pollution, microbiology, ecology, other environmental topics. 
  • Dissertations and Theses database information includes dissertations from most U.S. institutions.
  • PapersFirst database information is a database which indexes papers from conferences, symposia, workshops and meetings. To search for conferences themselves, use ProceedingsFirst, which can be accessed via PapersFirst. 

Don't forget: Try These First if you want general popular interest magazines and newspapers or pro and con debate information.

Article Search Tips:  Finding the best articles on your topic requires a number of steps:

  • Select a database from the list above.
  • Enter and combine terms appropriate to your topic.
  • Look at the best references you retrieve and determine the subject terms used for those articles. Then revise your search using these new terms.
  • Write down or print off all pertinent information (called the 'citation') including the journal title, volume, date, and page numbers.
  • Explore other databases and subject terms (which vary between databases) for more information.

Get the full text:  Once you find the citation in a database, try the Get it! button to see if Penn State has the electronic or print version of the article you need. If the electronic version is available, it will appear as the first link on the Get it! menu. If the article is not available electronically, click on The CAT link to automatically search our catalog and see if Penn State has a print copy. If no other copy is available, you can use the ILLiad link to request it from another library.

Already have a citation?  Use Citation Linker to see if Penn State has it online or in print!

Books

Use The CAT for finding books owned by Penn State.

CAT Search Tips:  The CAT is the list of what is owned by Penn State Libraries. Go to the Browse function if you are looking for a specific title or author (type last name first). Go to the Keyword function and combine terms to search on a topic then use the subject headings from relevant books for additional search terms. Write down the call number and location for any book you want. For more detailed searching information go to the Quick Guide to the CAT.

Suggested CAT Search Terms: Search for general terms like microbiology, molecular biology, biochemistry, genetics or more specific terms like microbial genetics, apoptosis, cellular signal transduction, proteomics.

Call Numbers: At University Park, most materials in the life sciences are located on the 4th floor of Paterno Library. Some biotechnology material is located on the 3rd floor of Paterno. General call numbers and subject areas are:

  • QH - Natural History and Genetics (UP location: 4th floor Paterno)
  • QP - Physiology (UP location: 4th floor Paterno)
  • QR - Microbiology (UP location: 4th floor Paterno)

Books Elsewhere: WorldCat

Libraries Borrowing Policies: Once you have the books, check them out at the nearest lending desk or self check-out station. Loan periods are usually four weeks but books can be recalled for another user, so respond promptly to library notices. For more information see the University Libraries Lending Code.

Reference Materials

General Resources

Genetics Reference Materials

  • Oxford Dictionary of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Revised Edition/2nd Edition (2000 edition available online via NetLibrary).
  • Dictionary of Genetics, 7th Edition (available online via OROP).
  • Dictionary of Gene Technology: Genomics, Transcriptomics, Proteomics, 3rd Edition.
  • Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) compiles information on information pathways of interacting molecules or genes.  
  • Encyclopedic Dictionary of Genetics, Genomics and Proteomics, 2nd Edition.
  • Mendelian Inheritance in Man: A Catalog of Human Genes and Genetic Disorders, 12th Edition (available online).

Internet Sites

Certain articles databases, such as Environmental Sciences & Pollution Management, include pre-vetted web sites, usually from government sources or reputable organizations.

You can also look for biology information on the Internet by using a specialized Search Engine such as:

Other Resources

Evaluating Information

To evaluate print sources and web sites, you should ask a series of questions concerning the source’s currency, authority, validity, intended audience and bias. See this How to Evaluate Information site for details.

Citing Sources

When using information from another source you must give credit to the original author by citing the source. See this guide to citation styles for more details.

See this Statement on Plagiarism and Academic Dishonesty.  Plagiarism, whether you copy a paragraph from a book or cut and paste someone else's words from an e-mail, is a violation of Penn State's academic integrity policy.

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Contact

Janet Hughes

408 Paterno Library
University Park, PA 16802
814-865-3705

 

 

 Life Sciences Library
408 Paterno
University Park, PA 16802
814-865-7056
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