Chat with a librarian by clicking on the chat box on the upper right of the screen on most browsers
Submit a question to be answered through email.
Make an appointment with a librarian.
Visit us at the Help Desk on the 2nd floor of the library
Cadets: Contact your Company Librarian
Call the Library Help Desk at x8325
Computer Help: USMA IT Service Desk
Goldcoat support for Cadets: Goldcoats Contact Information
There are several ways to find books owned by the library. We have both Ebooks and physical books in our collection. You can search for both in SCOUT.
You have access to Ebooks with your westpoint.edu credentials so make sure you are signed in to access them.
This is an example of a book we have in the library on the shelf and available to check out. The long number in parenthesis is the book's call number and this is what you will use to find the book on the shelf.
Finding a physical book in the library may be a little difficult if you aren't used to using the Library of Congress System. However, basically the books are in alphabetical order. Don't spend too long looking! We librarians are more than willing to help you find what you need.
Click here to help locate the area of the library where a call number can be found. In general, you will find books about life sciences in the following areas on the East Wing of the 5th floor:
|
Biology (General) | ||
| QR | Microbiology | ||
| QK | Botany | ||
| QL | Zoology | ||
| QM | Human Anatomy | ||
| QP | Physiology |
You will also find life science topics in other call numbers/subject areas throughout the library.
| R | General Medicine |
| S | Agriculture |
There are several different ways you can go about finding journal articles. One is to do a general search in SCOUT which includes results from a large number of databases but not all of them and will also include books, videos, etc. unless you filter them out.
Another method is to search only in specific chemistry journals. This link will take you to a search page where you can click on a journal, search in that journal, and get results from that specific journal. Be aware that the top search box is for journal titles and subjects not articles. You need to click on a journal first to search.
The library provides access to a number of different life science databases. This is another method you can use to search for articles but instead of searching in the library's entire holdings or only in a specific journal, a database will give you results from a number of different journals. You can look at a comprehensive list of our chemistry and life science databases.
If you are in a hurry, try one of these "best bet" databases.
More than 350 journals and eBooks in the biological, ecological, and environmental sciences.
If you already have a SciFinder account, you will be able to log in to SciFinderⁿ via the new platform and do not need to set up a new account. If you are new to SciFinder, set up an account using this link: (You must be on campus or VPN for this link to work.)
PubMed® comprises more than 36 million citations for biomedical literature from MEDLINE, life science journals, and online books. Citations may include links to full text content from PubMed Central and publisher web sites.
From foundational science to new and novel research, discover our large collection of Physical Sciences and Engineering publications, covering a range of disciplines, from the theoretical to the applied.
Jove is an incredible resource for watching science experiments and learning about specific topics. There are more than 18,000 videos of experiments available and searchable by type. You can find lab manuals and core concept videos as well as well. You can find more information by clicking on JoVE on the side navigation or clicking here.
You can find an excellent overview of citations styles, academic integrity, and plagiarism here.
Consider using an online citation manager. Zotero Is free, open source citation management tool that comes as a Firefox or Chrome extension or a standalone program for other browsers. It offers plugins for MS Word and Open Office so you can insert citations as you write your paper. You can also create groups to save references for projects to be used by all group members.
Several styles of citations can be used in biology, please ensure you know which your professor requires. Two of the more common styles are APA and CSE.
American Psychological Association (APA) Style
CSE Style Guide
AMA Manual of Style by
The AMA Manual of Style is a must-have guide for those seeking to publish research findings and anyone involved in medical or scientific publishing. But more than just a style manual, it offers guidance on how to navigate the dilemmas that authors, researchers and their institutions, medical editors and publishers, and members of the news media who cover scientific research confront on a daily basis. Written by an expert committee of JAMA Network editors, this 10th edition thoroughly covers ethical and legal issues, authorship, conflicts of interest, scientific misconduct, and intellectual property, in addition to preparation of articles for publication, style, terminology, measurement, and quantification. Now online! The online subscription is activated by entering an access code number bound into the cover of the book. Customers who purchase the Special Online Bundle Package receive the hardcover 10th edition, with a one-year subscription to the Online Edition. www.amamanualofstyle.com
A Dictionary of Biology by
This new eighth edition has been fully revised and updated to reflect recent progress in the fields of biology, biophysics, and biochemistry, with particular expansion to the areas of research design and plant and animal development. Over 120 new entries include de-extinction, ecological footprint, rewilding, and Zika virus, now totalling over 5,600 authoritative and up-to-date entries. Numerous appendices include classifications of the animal and plant kingdoms, SI units, Nobel prizewinners, and a new appendix on anatomical terms. With new diagrams and updated web links, this remains the market-leading dictionary for students of biology, both at sixth form college and university level.
Encyclopedia of Industrial Biotechnology, 7 Volume Set by
The Encyclopedia of Industrial Biotechnology combines Wiley's acclaimed Encyclopedia of Bioprocess Technology and the Encyclopedia of Cell Technology in order to create a single resource and gateway to the many areas of industrial biotechnology for students, researchers, and technologists. In addition to revising and updating existing articles, the new Encyclopedia of Industrial Biotechnology has been greatly expanded to cover important areas of pharmaceutical and biologics bioprocess technology, including: Production of vaccines Biopharmaceuticals and methods for manufacturing biomaterials Biofabrication for the production of microfluidics Tissue engineering Biosensors Bioelectronics Bioarrays Bio-nanotechnology IDEAL STARTING POINT FOR ANY RESEARCH PROJECT The Encyclopedia of Industrial Biotechnology was published in order to help readers make sense of the vast amounts of information that have been published around the world across a broad array of ournals, books, and websites. Encyclopedia of Industrial Biotechnology is the ideal starting point for research projects involving any aspect of industrial biological processes, including fermentation, biocatalysis, bioseparation, and biofabrication. Presents all vital aspects - theoretical and practical - of industrial biological processes, techniques, equipment, products, as well as ethical and regulatory issues Offers comprehensive coverage of industrial biotechnology in an easy to use, A to Z, encyclopedia format Covers existing and emerging aspects of the biotechnology industry, including significant new information on Biopharmaceuticals and Biologics Fabrication Written and edited by some of the world's top experts in the field, making it a credible source of information 7 Volumes www.wileyonlinelibrary.com/ref/eib
Van Nostrand's Scientific Encyclopedia by
Extensively updated and revised, this outstanding reference remains the definitive scientific resource for both academic and professional environments Van Nostrand's Scientific Encyclopedia has long enjoyed a reputation as one of the most important comprehensive general scientific references available. Substantially revised to cover the many developments since the Eight Edition in 1994, this Ninth Edition ranges across all scientific disciplines as well as many areas of engineering and technology. Topics covered include animal science, anatomy, astronomy, atmospheric science, chemistry, chemical engineering, civil engineering, computer science, earth science, energy sources, information science, life science, materials, mathematics, mechanical engineering, medicine, mining, physics, physiology, planetary science, plant science, power technology, space science, structural engineering, and a host of other subjects. Existing material has been extensively revised for this new edition, and numerous new articles bring the Encyclopedia up-to-date on the latest developments and state-of-the-art knowledge in every discipline. An expanded subject index makes information easier to find. An extensive revision program makes this series an important addition to personal as well as institutional libraries in both academic and industrial settings.
