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Some places to start:

Library Web Sites

Library Web Guide to Research in Chemistry

Library Web Guide to Research in Physics

Guide to Browsing the Science Collections (Subject Index to LC Classification Numbers)

Library of Congress (LC) Classification Numbers for Science

 

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Reference Books (Handbooks, Encyclopedias, etc.)

Atomic, molecular, & optical physics handbook	SCI REF QC173 .A827 1996
Composite index for CRC handbooks, 3rd ed	SCI REF QD65 .C74 1991
The composite index is your friend! Tables come and go with each edition of the CRC Handbook. This index will point you to the edition that has the table you need, and to specialized CRC handbooks you didn't even know existed.
Dictionary of pure and applied physics	SCI REF QC5 .D485 2001
More applied than pure.
Encyclopedia of materials: science and technology	SCI REF TA402 .E53 2001
11 volumes of information, from quantum dots to sporting materials.
Encyclopedia of physical science and technology, 3rd ed.	SCI REF Q123 .E497 2002
This 18-volume work covers physics, chemistry, engineering and materials science.
Encyclopedia of polymer science and technology, 3rd ed. (8 vols.)	SCI REF TP1110 .E53 2003
Handbook of conducting polymers, 2nd ed.	SCI REF QD382 .C66 H36 1998
Handbook of nanophase and nanostructured materials	TA418.9.N35 H358 2003
Handbook of nanostructured materials and nanotechnology	TA418.9.N35 H36 2000
Handbook of optical materials	SCI REF QC374 .W43 2003
Compilation of physical properties.
Handbook of organic conductive molecules and polymers (4 vols.)	SCI REF QD382 .C66 H38
Handbook of vibrational spectroscopy	SCI REF QD96.V53 H36 2002
5 vols; includes applications to materials science.
[Kirk-Othmer] Encyclopedia of chemical technology, 4th ed	SCI REF TP9 .E685 1991
The "classic" reference work on applied chemistry (27 vols.)
Materials handbook : a concise desktop reference	SCI REF TA404.8 .C37 2000
Physical and chemical properties of "all classes of materials."
Photonics rules of thumb: Optics, electro-optics, fiber optics, and lasers, 2nd ed.	SCI REF TA1520 .M55 2004
Polymer handbook	SCI REF QD388 .P65 1999
Tables of properties, etc
Properties of optical and laser-related materials : a handbook	SCI REF QC374 .N55 1997

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Finding Journal Articles

Databases and Indexes

ArticleFirst
An interdisciplinary article citation database, covering over 13,000 journals, from 1990 to present. Does not contain abstracts - its most useful feature is that you can make interlibrary loan requests directly from the database.

ArXiv
The physics and math e-print archive. See particularly 'Condensed Matter' and 'Quantum Physics'.

INSPEC
The most comprehensive index available for the physics literature, covering from 1969 to the present.Click on the FindText button to see if the UO has the article in electronic full-text. If not, you can check if the UO Libraries own a print copy of the journal containing an article you want, or request it from another library.

SciFinder Scholar
SciFinder Scholar is a desktop research tool for information on chemical and chemistry-related topics. Available in the Science ITC, or you may download the program to your own computer. Access is limited to UO faculty, students and staff and to one user at a time.

Web of Science
Web version of the Science Citation Index from 1975 to the present. This interdisciplinary database allows you to find out who has cited a known reference, as well as search for current research articles by author, topic, etc. Click on the FindText button (found in the Full Record of a citation) to see if the UO has the article in electronic full-text. If not, you can check if the UO Libraries own a print copy of the journal containing an article you want, or request it from another library.

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Search Tips and Help

Keyword Search Concepts
This web page from the University of Utah provides a good, concise guide to database searching. It covers Boolean operators, "nesting", truncation and wild cards, and subject vs. keyword searching tips. (Don't try to call their reference desk number, though!)

Searching the Internet Effectively
Tips for getting more relevant results out of Google.

UO Science Library Database Searchers' Cheat Sheet
This is a quick reference to truncation and wild card symbols, Boolean and proximity searching, exporting records, etc., in the various search engines for science databases. It is also available in a printable, pdf version (from the link above) and is handy to keep by your side while database searching. NOTE: this sheet reflects the "old" version of INSPEC - for the new version, see under EBSCOHost.

Questions? Contact Victoria Mitchell (6-3076) or Science Reference (6-2661, M-F, 9-5).

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