Subject Support for Natural Sciences

Books for the Natural Sciences are located on the second floor of the Main Library. 

Natural Sciences books will primarily be found at the Dewey numbers 500-599 - see our Guide to Dewey to see which numbers your specific subject will be found at.

• Search for a book
• More about books

Copies of printed journals for the Natural Sciences are located on the second floor of the Main Library.  However, the vast majority of our journals are available electronically rather than in print via the Library catalogue.

• Search for a journal
• More about journals

Past theses of former students can be read within the Library. You can search for theses in the Library catalogue - after your search narrow your results down to theses by choosing Collection - Theses Collection on the right hand side of the screen. 

We also provide access to several databases that index theses submitted in other Universities internationally.

• Search for an NUI Galway thesis
• Search for theses at other Universities
• More about theses

Dictionaries, Encyclopedias, Handbooks, Statistics and other reference works can be an invaluable starting point for your research or study.  They also provide ready-reference access to factual information.

• More about Reference Works
• Science and Engineering Reference Collection

The Library catalogue enables you to find out if the Library has particular books or journals, or to identify books on a subject by keyword.

To identify journal articles on a particular topic you need to use a database.  Databases for your discipline are listed at the links below:

• Natural Sciences databases
• Biochemistry databases
• Botany databases
• Earth & Ocean Sciences databases
• Microbiology databases
• Zoology databases

If you require assistance please contact the Subject Librarian for Science, Rosie Dunne.  Rosie has specialist knowledge of the literature and information resources for Natural Sciences, and is available to assist you with your subject queries, which may be received in person, by email, or by telephone.

View the training events calendar to see forthcoming training events, or contact any of the Natural Sciences Subject support team if you'd like to request training.

By providing an accurate bibliography and references you demonstrate the range and depth of the research that you have done on your essay or thesis.

It is therefore essential to keep accurate records of the books, journal articles and general sources that you have used. It also ensures that there is no suspicion of plagiarism.

Different subject areas use different referencing styles and your lecturers will advise you on this.

The Library has created a   for the Harvard Referencing Style. Ask for a copy at the Customer Services Desk or download directly from the Library web site.

EndNote

EndNote is a popular software package designed to help you create references and bibliographies. It integrates with Microsoft Word enabling you to cite references in any one of several hundred styles eg: Harvard, MLA, or Vancouver as well as providing a portable “library” of all your references that you can add to over time.

The Library provides introductory EndNote training sessions throughout the year. For information on these, please visit the  page.

More information supporting your studies is available from the School of Natural Sciences website.

Remember, our Science, Technology and Medicine Research Librarian, Rosarie Coughlan, is available to support research in the Natural Sciences.