Online Reference Material

These materials are available in digital format.  (Use Connect from Off-Campus, if needed.)  This is not an exhaustive list; other material can be found in the Library Catalog (Scotty) or in this Online Encyclopedias list.

Connect to the ebook by clicking the link once in the catalog record.

A Dictionary of Biology (2008) - Comprehensive coverage of biology, biophysics, biochemistry, and key terms from medicine and palaeontology… includes biographies of key scientists, and articles on topics such as bioinformatics, genetically modified organisms, microarray technology, and RNA interference… chronologies of developments in major fields including cell biology, genetics, microscopy, and vitamins… entry-level web links.

Biology Data Book (2006) - Presents numerical data of biology and medicine in a convenient and accessible form for reference, and standardizes accepted constants as a basis for correlation, establishs common standards for statistical studies, and provides normal values for research.

A Dictionary of Ecology (2010) - Covers all aspects of ecology and related environmental scientific disciplines such as biogeography, genetics, soil science, geomorphology, atmospheric science, and oceanography. Wide-ranging coverage includes plant and animal physiology, animal behaviour, pollution, conservation, habitat management, population, evolution, environmental pollution, climatology and meteorology.

A Dictionary of Zoology (2009) - Covers all aspects of zoology.  Includes terms from the areas of ecology, animal behaviour, evolution, earth history, zoogeography, genetics, and physiology. Provides full taxonomic coverage of arthropods, other invertebrates, fish, reptiles, amphibians, birds, and mammals. New and expanded material on behavioural ecology, conservation biology, cytology, and taxonomy. Web links for many entries.

A Dictionary of Animal Behaviour (2006) - Covers every aspect of animal behaviour and includes terms from the related fields of ecology, physiology and psychology. Clear, concise entries are backed up by specific examples where appropriate, covering all aspects of behaviour from aggression to courtship.

The New Encyclopedia of Birds (2007) - A definitive single-volume guide to birds of the world. Entries prepared by a team of renowned biologists and conservationists give a systematic account of every family, covering their form and function, distribution, diet, social behaviour, and breeding biology. With one-eighth of all bird species now under threat, special attention is given to environmental and conservation issues.

The Birds of North America (via Cornell Lab of Ornithology) - Comprehensive reference for all of North America’s 716 species of breeding birds, updated with the most current scientific information and brought to life with photos, sounds, and video. Image and video galleries show plumages, behaviors, habitat, nests and eggs, and more.

The New Encyclopedia of Reptiles & Amphibians (2002) - Combines scientific research with easy to read essays thus appealing simultaneously to a general audience interested in natural history and to specialists requiring an accurate up to date reference work.

Encyclopedia of Mammals (2006) - Covers the behaviour, diet, distribution, and evolution of every known living mammal in the world in clear, accessible language, and is superbly illustrated throughout with photographs and original artwork.

Encyclopedia of Genetics, Genomics, Proteomics, and Informatics (2008) - Covers the basics and the latest in genomics, proteomics, genetic engineering, small RNAs, transcription factories, chromosome territories, stem cells, genetic networks, epigenetics, prions, hereditary diseases, and patents.

Print Reference Material

These materials are available in the Reference Department in the Orbach Science Library on the first floor.  They are "library use only" and do not circulate.

• Encyclopedia of Life Sciences (2002)
• Encyclopedia of Life Sciences, supplement (2007)

• Genetics (2003)

• Encyclopedia of Evolution (2002)

• Encyclopedia of Environmental Biology (1995)

• Grzimek's Animal Life Encyclopedia (2003)

• Encyclopedia of Animal Behavior (2004)

• Handbook of the Birds of the World (1992-)

The collection also includes many wildlife guide books and handbooks.  Search for these and other titles in the Library Catalog (Scotty) or see most of the science reference collection at goodreads!

Click here for a generic Online Reference Shelf with standard reference material suggestions, such as dictionaries and encyclopedias.