Pathfinder Biology

	...resources in the Drain-Jordan Library, West Virginia State College
Introduction:	Biology students are encouraged to utilize the many journals, magazines, databases and books provided. We have facts, opinions, statistics and videos to enhance any research project.
How do I get started?	Reference librarians are on duty at all hours and they are willing and able to assist you in selecting and narrowing down a subject area. Biology materials use LC call number ranges Q (science) and R (medicine). Our Reference Department is a great place to get started; it has subject specific dictionaries, handbooks, field guides and encyclopedias in the Q and R which will help you define and focus upon your research topic.
INDEXES	Reader's Guide to Periodical Literature, Paper Index. Periodical Room index tables. Indexes a wide variety of magazines and some journals. An excellent quick source for a wide range of subject areas.
INTERNET INDEXES	We subscribe to several large Internet-based periodical indexes which provide you with full-text articles. EBSCOHost and Infotrac Searchbank both contain medically oriented databases as well as the general academic databases.
Where do I find periodicals?	Use our "Periodical Holdings List". We publish a list of our periodicals each semester and scatter them throughout the library. This alphabetical list tells you what titles we own, the years and volumes, and the format. Library staff will help you find the titles in our Periodicals Room. Periodicals cannot be checked out, but may be photocopied.
REFERENCE BOOKS	Here are just a few of the many reference titles that may help you. The Facts on File Dictionary of Biology - Ref QH 13 166 1981 Dictionary of Biological Terms - Ref QH 13 H38 The Dictionary of the Biological Sciences - Ref QH 13 G68 Biology Data Book - Ref QH 310 A392 Library Research Guide to Biology - Ref QH 315 K52 Science and Technology Desk Reference - Ref Q 173 S397 1993 Using the Biological Literature - Ref QH 303.6 .D38 1995 Encyclopedia of BioEthics - Ref QH 332.E52 1995
CIRCULATING BOOKS	Since reference books must remain in the library, it may be necessary for you to search the Chameleon Book Catalog for circulating books. The catalog allows simple (Title Author Subject Keyword) searches and more complex boolean searches. The (search) type has a drop down menu for selection of the field type to search. Select a subject search and enter the subject for your paper or presentation. You can use terms you found in reference works or check the Library of Congress Subject Headings, the "Big Red" books, also located in the lobby area.
WEB RESOURCES	National Biological Information Infrastructure www.nbs.gov Site sponsored by the USGS featuring studies done by government agencies in various areas of the biological sciences. The Biology Project www.biology.arizona.edu Sponsored by the University of Arizona, this site provides an interactive, online resource for learning biology. BioMedNet www.biomednet.com BioMedNet contains full-text periodical articles, a job bank, and databases for biology and medical topical study. Our Reference Page under Science - Technology and the Homework Page under Biology.

this Pathfinder located at http://library.wvsc.edu/pathfind/pathbiology.html

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