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Biological Sciences

Use this guide when conducting research in biology, botany, and related disciplines.

Finding Library Materials

Click here to search the library catalog.

Enter a term into the search box and click on, "Search." 

This takes you to a page where you have the option to refine your search with parameters such as:

  • Format (print vs. electronic)
  • Location (search by specific collections)
  • Date
  • Genre
  • Institution (search for items here in the library or search all libraries in the University System)

EBook Tip: Use the table of contents to see if the electronic resource is pertinent to the search. When reading online, most people read a chapter or two of a book as opposed to a whole book. 

 

Accessing Databases from Off-Campus:

To access databases from off-campus, you'll need to enter your network ID when prompted. Each time you access information in a new database, you'll be prompted to re-enter your network ID. Your network ID is the same login and password that you use to get into your university email. 

There are two types of databases:

  1. Multidisciplinary Databases:

Multidisciplinary databases will help you with almost any search. They contain articles from many fields of study:.

Activity:
1. Click here and then select the "Academic Search Complete" database
2. Practice searching with multiple search terms, refining search dates, and limiting searches to full-text and to peer-reviewed results

         2. Subject-Specific Databases:

Click here to access a list of databases to which the library subscribes. This list contains descriptions of the information that you will find in the databases. Try a subject search to find the databases that are specific to your field of study. 

Activity:
1. Click here and the select the "Science Direct College Edition Complete" database.
2. Click on advanced search and practice searching with the advanced search functions

Search Tip: Begin your searches on the advanced search page. Take advantage of the opportunities to limit your searches to full-text only, to specific date ranges, to scholarly peer-reviewed articles, etc.

 

Interlibrary Loan:  If you'd like to receive a book or an article that isn't in this library, use Interlibrary Loan. Click here to learn more and to create a free account.

Items that you can check out through Interlibrary Loan include:

  • Books not owned by the Tech Library.   
  • Books that are owned by the Tech Library but are missing, at the bindery, or checked out.
  • Periodical articles that are not available at the Montana Tech Library.
  • Multi-media objects

It usually takes about ten business days to receive a physical item through Interlibrary Loan, but electronic items often arrive more quickly. 

Please contact the Interlibrary Loan Specialist if you need assistance filling out the form. Once your account is set-up, you will be able to easily borrow items yourself.

Contact: Kristi Carroll, kcarroll@mtech.edu, 406-496-4222