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General reference sources, such as dictionaries, encyclopedias, and handbooks, are useful for defining unfamiliar terms and for providing background information or overviews of specific topics. JMU Libraries' science encyclopedias in print, listed below, offer more detailed information than general encyclopedias and often include a list of key journal articles and books on the topic.
| General Web Resources | Key Print Resources |
| BioTech Life Science Dictionary Kimball's Biology Pages (John W. Kimball) Searchable current textbook in biology. Includes chapters on cell biology, DNA & RNA, embryonic development, ecology, evolution, genetics, immunology, and physiology. Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy Authoritative, up-to-date resource on diseases. MIT Biology Hypertextbook Covers topics included in a college introductory biology course. Current, well-organized site with excellent graphics. Science for All Americans (AAAS) Online book written to promote scientific literacy. |
Dictionaries: A Dictionary of Genetics. (Ref QH427 .K55 2002 - Carrier Library) The Dictionary of Gene Technology : Genomics, Transcriptomics, Proteomics. (Ref QH442 .K24 2001 - Carrier Library) Dictionary of plant genetics and molecular biology. (Ref QK981 .M54 1998 - Carrier Library) A Dictionary of Zoology. (Ref QL9 .C66 1999 - Carrier Library) Encyclopedias: Encyclopedia of Biodiversity. (Ref QH541.15 .B56 E53 2001 - Carrier Library) Encyclopedia of Bioethics. (Ref QH332 .E52 1995 - Carrier Library) Topics include moral issues of the life sciences and health care, including DNA typing, gene therapy, abortion, reproductive technologies. Encyclopedia of Environmental Biology. (Ref. QH540.4 .E52 1995 - Carrier Library and CISAT Library) Encyclopedia of Genetics. (Ref QH427 .E532 2002 - Carrier Library) Encyclopedia of Human Biology. (Ref QP11 .E53 1997) Encyclopedia of Immunology. (Ref QR180.4 .E56 1998 - Carrier Library) Encyclopedia of Life Sciences. (Ref QH302.5 .E53 2002 - Carrier Library) Current theory and practice of all basic and applied of the life sciences. Encyclopedia of Microbiology. (Ref QR9 .E53 1992 - Carrier Library) Encyclopedia of Molecular Biology. (Ref QH506 .E53 1999 - Carrier Library) Encyclopedia of Reproduction. (Ref QP251 .E635 1998 - Carrier Library) Encyclopedia of Virology. (Ref QR358 .E53 1999 - Carrier Library) Grzimek's Animal Life Encyclopedia. (Ref QL3 .G7813 - Carrier Library) Classic work providing comprehensive knowledge on animals. Grzimek's Encyclopedia of Mammals. (Ref QL701 .G7913 1990 - Carrier Library) Includes descriptions of species, habitats, taxonomy, and distribution. Extensive charts, diagrams, and photographs. McGraw-Hill Encyclopedia of Science & Technology. (Ref Q121 .M3 1997 - Carrier Library) Covers every field of science and technology. Walker's Mammals of the World. (Ref QL703 .W222 1991 - Carrier Library) Important source on orders, families, and genera of world mammals. Extensive bibliography. |
