Background Information

The Reference Department is located on the 4th floor of the Wilson Wing.  Upon entering the library, walk straight ahead until you see a wide stairway - at the top of the stairs, you'll find the Reference Department. 

Here, you'll find librarians at the Reference Desk who will be happy to help you find reference books or any other resources you need for your class work.  If you run into any obstacles, don't hesitate to contact me.

Sarah Jeong
Science Librarian

Encyclopedias and Dictionaries

Encyclopedias and dictionaries (terms often used interchangeably) provide an overview of a given subject, introduce basic concepts, summarize key issues, define terminology, and cite factual information. The articles, written by experts in the field, may also refer to other entries on related topics, and frequently include brief bibliographies to lead the researcher to other resources.

Animal Behavior Desk Reference Ref QL750.3.B37 2001

Atlas of Human Anatomy Ref QM25.N46 2003

Desk Encyclopedia of Microbiology Ref QR 9 D47 2004

Dictionary of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology Ref QH324.2.D53 2004

Dictionary of Environment and Ecology Ref QH540.4.C65 2004

Dorland's Illustrated Medical Dictionary, 30th ed.
Behind the Reference Desk

Encyclopedia of Animal Behavior Ref QL750.3.E53 2004

Encyclopedia of Evolution Ref QH360.2 E54 2002

Encyclopedia of Human Biology Ref QP11.E53 1997

Encyclopedia of Insects Ref QL462.3 E49 2003

Encyclopedia of World Environmental History Ref GE10.E63 2004

Encyclopedic Dictionary of Genetics, Genomics, and Proteomics Ref QH427 R43 2003

Environmental Encyclopedia Ref GE10.E58 2003

Five kingdoms: An illustrated guide to the phyla of life on earth Ref QH83 .M36 1998

Gray's Anatomy-Behind the Reference Desk

Grzimek's Animal Life Encyclopedia Ref QL3 G7813 2003

Literature Search Strategies for Interdisciplinary Research: A Sourcebook for Scientists and Engineers Ref Q180.55 I48 L58 2007

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific and Technical Terms Ref Q123 M34 2003

McGraw-Hill Encyclopedia of Science & Technology Ref Q121 .M3 2007

Oxford Dictionary of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Ref QD415.A25 O94 2006

Stedman's Medical Dictionary for the Health Professions and Nursing Ref R121.S8 2005

These online encyclopedias and dictionaries are available from the Databases page:

CQ Electronic Library

Encyclopedia of the Human Brain

Encyclopedic Dictionary of Genetics, Genomics, and Proteomics

Evolution of Nervous Systems

Gale Encyclopedia of Nursing and Allied Health

Genetics

Greenwood Digital Collection

A guide to field guides identifying the natural history of North America

Pollution A to Z

Van Nostrand's Scientific Encyclopedia

Water: Science and Issues