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Biology: Explore a Topic

This page provides information on the Biology major at Brevard College.

Find Background Information

Good places to find background information:
  • Your textbook or class readings
  • Encyclopedias, handbooks, & other reference materials
  • Credible websites
  • And of course ...

Biology Reference Sources

Are there books on your topic?

When a reference tool is too broad, it can be useful to seek out a book.

Important Considerations
  • Is there a specific area within the broader topic that you're curious about or even irked by?
  • Is there a cause-effect relationship that you're curious about?
  • Look for unanswered questions.
  • Are there time periods or groups of people within the discipline that strike a chord for you?
  • If you think you've got a topic worth writing about, try to explain it informally to a friend. Are there gaps in what you know? Did any questions come up?

Book Databases

More Reference Databases

Handbooks, Dictionaries, & Encyclopedias

Biology: A Study Guide

Carry out effective, structured revision with exam-style tasks and practical tips.

Plant Names: A Guide to Botanical Nomenclature

Covers the naming of wild plants, plants modified by humans, why plant names change, their pronunciation and hints to help remember them

The Princeton Encyclopedia of Mammals

This book covers every known living species, from aardvarks to zorros.

The Bees in Your Backyard

An engaging introduction to the roughly 4,000 different bee species found in the United States and Canada.

Encyclopedia of the Human Brain

Covers anatomy, physiology, neuropsychology, clinical neurology, neuropharmacology, evolutionary biology, genetics, and behavioral science.

The CABI Encyclopedia of Forest Trees

An extensive overview of 300 of the world's most important forest trees.

Fungipedia

A delightful A--Z treasury of mushroom lore

Encyclopedia of Evolutionary Biology

The definitive go-to reference in the field of evolutionary biology.

Encyclopedia of Insects

All aspects of insect anatomy, physiology, evolution, behavior, reproduction, ecology, and disease, as well as issues of exploitation, conservation, and management.

Dictionary of Developmental Biology and Embryology

Covers classical morphological and cytological terms along with those from modern genetics and molecular biology.