Reference Books | Electronic Reference Resources
Using reference sources in the library’s Reference Collection can be very useful.After looking at the titles that follow, you can use the reference collection to help you locate additional information on your topic in the circulating collection, or you can note the call number of a Reference book that is useful for your topic. Drop the REF and use the initial letters and numbers as a guide to finding similar material that circulates. For example, if you wanted to find circulating books similar to the Encyclopedia of Leadership, you would go to the second floor and browse the HD57 section.
Subject Specific Reference Books
Physics
- Encyclopedia of Physics
REF. QC 5 .R596 2004 - "With more than 600 cross-referenced entries, the encyclopedia features 11 essays, interspersed throughout the text, that discuss the partnership of physics and mathematics, the universe, metaphysics, the operation of physics, and other topical issues. (Entries are) enhanced by nearly 200 black-and-white illustrations, photographs, and charts."
Astronomy
- The Cambridge Planetary Handbook
REF. QB 601 .B36 2000 - This comprehensive book contains lists of factual information on the planets, including as examples size, solar irradiance, eccentricity, oblateness, temperature range, etc. The second part of the book goes into depth for each of the planets (including Pluto).
- Uranometria 2000.0
REF. QB 65 .T55 (2 volumes) - A stellar atlas divided by hemisphere.
- Norton's Star Atlas
REF. QB 64 .R43 2004 - This star atlas is like a compact course on astronomy. It includes data tables, satellite images, explanations of best practice, maps of the planets, lists, charts, graphs, and schedules.
- The Astronomical Almanac
REF. QB 8 .U6 A77 - Detailed charts and graphs of all things astronomical. If you want to use this book, you know what you are looking for.
- The International Encyclopedia of Astronomy
REF. QB 14 .I58 - Arranged alphabetically, this encyclopedia includes short entries on astronomy topics. Everything from Charles Greely Abbot to Frizt Zwicky, from spectroheliograph to moon.
- The Facts on File Dictionary of Astronomy
REF. QB 14 .F3 1994 - Alphabeticall arranged dictionary style entries provide definitions and clarification for astronomical terms.
- Oxford Astronomy Encyclopedia
REF. QB 14 .A875 2002 - Full color pictures and alphabetical entries provide definitions, descriptions, and explanations for astronomy topics. Includes people, places, things, and concepts.
Test Preparation
- GRE: Practicing to take the Physics Test
On Permanent Reserve, so ask at the Circulation desk.
Ask a librarian at the Research Assistance Desk
for help in locating these sources.
Electronic Reference Sources
- Annual Reviews
- Table of contents and abstracts for various annual reviews in the sciences.
- Dictionary of Cell Biology
- Similar to the print version, second edition.Enter a word for list of occurances of that term, also included are links to related outside sources.
- FOLDOC: Free Online Dictionary of Computing
- A searchable database for terms related to operating systems, programming languages, companies, projects, jargon and more. Provides definitions and links to related terms. Over 3,000 terms, acronyms and concepts defined.
- Patent Searching
- Includes a wide variety of information about patents including patent classes and subclasses, patent process, the manual of classification and various documents from the Patent and Trademark Office. Searchable by keyword and classification.
- Periodic Table of Elements
- Clickable table of elements providing detailed information about each one.
- Science in the Headlines
- Leading science related news stories and events.
- What Is?
- A "knowledge information tool" providing definitions to terms/acronyms in the Internet and computer fields.
