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University of York Library
Library Subject Guides

Biology

Help & guidance

Welcome to your online guide to finding resources for Biology

Support for your studies

There are so many ways to get help and support from the Library, Archives and Learning Services. You can book an appointment with me, your Academic Liaison Librarian (my contact details are on the Welcome tab) or at the Writing Centre or the Maths Skills Centre, and you'll find lots of guidance you can work through at your own pace without the need for an appointment. This page has links to all of it. 

Help from your Academic Liaison Librarian

As the Academic Liaison Librarian for the Department, I can help you find and use relevant resources for your studies, and I can do this via email or a one-to-one appointment over Zoom. I can also provide support for Referencing, and signpost you towards other sources of support. Get in touch using the contact details on the Welcome page of this Subject Guide and we can discuss your work.

Help with searching and finding

There are all kinds of useful tips on searching for academic materials on the Search Skills page of the Skills Guides. Learn about Advanced Search, Citation Searching, Subject Headings and more. 

Help with evaluating materials

The Skills Guides also have useful information on finding the right reading, fact-checking, and assessing the credibility of your sources.

Help with referencing

There is a Practical Guide to Referencing Styles - find the style the Department uses and there is an introduction and examples. 

Reference Management software can help you organise your reading, as well as assist with reference-lists and in-text citations in your essays - you'll find a guide to reference management here

There is more information about referencing, including Turnitin, and other aspects of Academic Integrity to help you with your studies.  

Help with Research

The Open Research Team provide guidance and training for academic and research staff, postgraduate research students, and other staff facilitating research. They can help you plan, publish, preserve and share your research, and have expertise in Open Access, Research Data Management, and copyright, among many other things. 

Email: lib-open-research@york.ac.uk 

Homepage: york.ac.uk/library/info-for/researchers/support/

Twitter: @UoYOpenRes

Help with accessibility

We want to make sure everyone can make the best possible use of our services and collections, making a special provision where needed. Here's an introduction to the services we provide in the Library:

If you'd like to discuss your specific needs, please get in touch with us

Some other useful links: 

Help with using our Archives

The Borthwick Institute for Archives has items from the 12th century to the present day, and also provide access to the Library's Rare Books Collection of rare and valuable items. Get in touch with them if you need any help finding and using archive materials. 

Email: borthwick-institute@york.ac.uk

Homepage: york.ac.uk/borthwick

Twitter: @UoYBorthwick

Help with IT

You can get IT Support from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, on the phone or over email. You can also get assistance at the Library Help Desk, although it may be quicker to contact IT Services below. 

Phone: +44 (0)1904 323838

Email: itsupport@york.ac.uk

Twitter: @UoYITServices

Website: york.ac.uk/it-services

IT Essentialssubjectguides.york.ac.uk/it-essentials

Help with wellbeing

The Library's Wellbeing Guide brings together various ways in which we can support you, from the physical spaces and services within our buildings, through to suggested resources from our collections on a wide range of topics that go beyond your academic or professional life.

Help with developing your skills

Digital Skills Training

The Skills Guides have videos, interactive tutorials, workbooks and links to specific help for developing your digital, information searching, and academic skills. You can work through them at your own pace, choosing to develop the skills you need - and you can attend digital skills training sessions online too. 

Help with academic writing

The Writing Centre offers guidance on academic writing and developing effective study habits. Most appointments are online, but they can also offer help in person or via email. 

Email: writing-language-skills@york.ac.uk 

Homepage: york.ac.uk/students/studying/skills/writing-centre/

This short video introduces their services. 

Help with maths

The Maths Skills Centre offers online and in-person appointments, on both mathematical concepts in general and statistics specifically. They also have regular workshops and provide a practical guide to work through at your own pace. 

Email: maths-skills-centre@york.ac.uk 

Homepage: york.ac.uk/students/studying/skills/maths-skills-centre

Here's a short video introduction with some more information.