When searching for resources in the sciences, it’s important to think about the specific terms used in your field. A general search may bring up results that aren’t relevant, so using keywords carefully can save time. For example, if you search for cells, you might find resources on prison cells. If you instead search Biology AND Cells, your results will be much more likely to focus on scientific topics. Similarly, try using variations of terms, like Chemistry OR Chemical Science, to expand your search to resources that may use different wording.
Keep in mind that researchers and authors may use different language than you’re used to, and older resources may use outdated terminology. To refine your search, look at the “Subject” terms listed in the library catalog record for an item related to your topic. These subject terms can give you new ideas for keywords and help you narrow your search to the most relevant scientific materials.
Our resources use Library of Congress (LOC) classifications and call numbers. While most items related to Science will be under the sub-classification Q (Q represents multiple subjects in the science field), it is possible to find other related materials in different areas, such as Agriculture (S) and Medicine (R). Please see Classification Codes for Browsing for more information about subject classification ranges.
Subject classification codes to focus on when browsing the stacks on the Garden level:
Databases are collections of content, such as journals, articles, and more. Review the description of the database contents in order to select the "best" database for your project. You may see multiple databases with the same name, but they are not duplicates. They contain content from different vendors.
The following are examples of general science databases. Please see the field-specific science pages in this guide for more resources specific to those areas.
Journals covering biology, medical, and drug information.
Note: We are only subscribed to a subset of available journals. View "More info" below for Journal Titles you can access through UWS.
Get a more complete global picture by discovering new insights from research in Latin America, Spain, Portugal, the Caribbean and South Africa.
Dates of Coverage: 1997-Present
Find full-text science reference books, images, and periodicals for student and adult researchers. Includes articles correlated to state and national curriculum standards.
Access the worlds leading scholarly literature in the sciences, social sciences, arts, and humanities and examine proceedings of international conferences, symposia, seminars, colloquia, workshops, and conventions.
Dates of Coverage: 1987-Present
Search the UW-Superior Library Catalog for science-related journals.
Journals are regularly published (annually, monthly, quarterly) collections of scholarly and creative articles. They are typically peer-reviewed, meaning they are evaluated, critiqued, and edited prior to publication. The Databases in the A-Z list can aid you searching for and locating articles from journals.
Science is made up of many other fields and specialties. The below terms will take you to journals for broader groups of science where you can then narrow your search to specific aspects of those areas. You can also view the other science pages within this guide for resources specific to those particular fields of science.
The following databases may contain educational videos related to science:
Find documentaries, feature films, newsreels, and performances in streaming video format. Subject coverage includes most areas of study. Please review permitted uses for videos in this database.
The PBS Video Collection is now in its third edition and contains nearly 600 titles. This product brings one of television’s most trusted networks into classrooms, with familiar series and names like NOVA, Nature, Neil DeGrasse Tyson, Ken Burns, American Experience, and Frontline. Please review permitted uses for videos in this database.
Kanopy is a streaming video resource with a broad collection of over 26,000 films on every subject imaginable and from leading producers such as Criterion Collection, The Great Courses, New Day Films, HBO California Newsreel, and more. Please review permitted uses for videos in this database.