science [n.]

1. the intellectual and practical activity encompassing the systematic study of the structure and behaviour of the physical and natural world through observation and experiment. 2. a systematically organized body of knowledge on any subject.
- ORIGIN Latin scientia, from scire ‘know’.

Oxford Dictionaries

This page provides links to information and resources for units and topics covered in this subject at a range of Australian universities. It does not attempt to include all these. Be aware some units/topics have different titles in different universities, even though content may be the same or similar. Australian information is supplied wherever possible.

They are at undergraduate level and listed in alphabetical groupings for ease of access. Some information may be useful at a higher level.

In addition, there are journals, search engines, annual reviews, reference material and other general information where these are seen to be relevant.

Additional unit material will be included as time permits.

This page only covers general Science information. For specific Science pages, return to the Tertiary Subjects page and select a specific area.

If you are aware of any worthwhile information which is not included, suggestions or additions are welcome and will be given every consideration.

A - F

Annual Reviews

Access reviews of research and discovery [abstracts, full text, PDF]. The beginning decade follows the link.

• Annual Review of Biomedical Engineering
  [1990s]
• Annual Review of Biophysics [and Biomolecular Structure]
  [1970s]
• Annual Review of Earth and Planetary Sciences
  [1970s]
• Annual Review of Environment and Resources
  [1970s]

Astronomy

• AstronomyLINKS
  All things astronomical. Directories.
• Educational Resources for Astronomy 101
  ‘Collection of digital resources for college-level introductory astronomy faculty and students. Brought to you by the American Astronomical Society, the American Association of Physics Teachers, and the NSF-NSDL’. Free Registration required.

Australian Sites

Includes government & non-government entities.

• Australian Academy of Science
  Established to promote all aspects of science within Australia.
• Australian Science and Technology Heritage Centre
  Portal to scientific information. Listed in directories, sub-directories.
• Australian Science Archives Project
  Repository for Bright Sparcs : the biographies of 3 000+ Australian scientists, links, The Cabinet of Curiosities : 200 years of Australian science treasures, Guest section.
• RiAus
  ‘RiAus exists to : Bring the findings of science to the broader community and foster informed debate; Promote public awareness and understanding of science; Provide continuing professional development opportunities for education professionals in science-related subjects, as well as outreach to youth; Encourage the undertaking of research in science-related fields of knowledge, providing a coordinating neutral ground to bring together universities and other research organisations; Be a leading player at national level in effective science communication’. [Royal Institution of Australia]
• Science Portal
  Australian Government portal science - research, grants, programs, policy, awareness, directories, databases.
  Extensive !

Biomes

• Biomes
  Created by US students in Year 9.
• Introduction to Biomes
  ‘Major regional groupings of plants and animals discernible at a global scale. Their distribution patterns are strongly correlated with regional climate patterns and identified according to the climax vegetation type’. Eight major biomes from Tundra to Temperate Grasslands.
• MBGnet
  ‘Biomes of the world, Freshwater Ecosystems and Marine Ecosystems cover 12 areas in all’. Missouri Botanical Garden. Good introduction.
• The World’s Biomes
  ‘Biomes are defined as “the world’s major communities, classified according to the predominant vegetation and characterized by adaptations of organisms to that particular environment” [Campbell 1996]. The importance of biomes cannot be overestimated. Biomes have changed and moved many times during the history of life on Earth. More recently, human activities have drastically altered these communities. Thus, conservation and preservation of biomes should be a major concern to all. Here we group biomes into six major types’. University of California Museum of Palaeontology.
• World Biomes Map
  ‘Features the five major biomes and their most important sub-categories. Based on data compiled from Physical Geography of the Global Environment, 2nd Edition, by H. J. De Blij, et al’. Click on types in the menu for further information and use links to reach other, related sites.

Blogs & Podcasts

• Education & Careers
  ScienceBlogs. ‘Teaching, Learning, and Doing Science’.
• ScienceBlogs
  Page covering blogs from Life Science to Technology.

Databases & Indices

• ECHO
  ‘Exploring and Collecting History Online is a directory to 5 000+ websites concerning the history of science, technology, and industry. Search it, browse it according to category, or even look at the tag cloud we’ve generated. Every website contains a brief description [some examples here], and occasionally, a review [like these]’.
  You now have to be able to log in to access this site, though registration appears to be free. Use the Login button to access the page for creating a new account.
• Eric Weisstein’s World of Astronomy
  Solar System, Atmospheres, Calendars, Galactic Astronomy, Observational Astronomy, Remote Sensing, Stars.
• Eric Weisstein’s World of Science Biography
  By branch of science, gender & minority status, historical periods, nationality, prize winners.
• Public Library of Science
  ‘Organisation of scientists and physicians committed to making the world’s scientific and medical literature a freely available public resource’. Presently biology, medicine, genetics, pathogens, computational biology.

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G - L

General Sites

• Academia.edu
  ‘Academia.edu helps academics answer the question “Who’s researching what ?” ’. You need to register but this is Free.
• A History of Light Microscopes
  Microscopes, how they work. How developed to present day.
• CellsAlive
  Inside animal and plant cells.
• DNA From the Beginning
  ‘Organised around key concepts. The science behind each concept is explained by : animation, image gallery, video interviews, problem, biographies, links’.
• Investigate the Human Heart
  The heart, how it functions.
• Life Sciences
  Links to pages for Agronomy. Biochemistry, Bioinformatics, Biology, Biotechnology, Botany, Chemistry, Food Science, Genetics, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Pharmacology. Each page has multiple links grouped under topics such as websites, journals & books, news, departments, research, events.
  Well presented !
• Natural Selection
  Subject Gateway to Natural History. ‘Natural Selection offers Free access to a searchable catalogue of hand-selected and evaluated, quality Internet resources covering the natural world’. Access by keyword or directory.
• Science.gov
  ‘Gateway to authoritative selected science information provided by U.S. Government agencies, including research and development results’
• Science Timelines - Intute
  ‘Notable events in the scientific world from prehistoric times to the present, broken into separate subject areas. Each timeline contains dozens of key events which have shaped the world as we know it, together with suggested PSIgate searches for further information’. About 1 400 timelines.
• Scitable
  ‘Scitable is an open online teaching/learning portal combining high quality educational articles authored by editors at NPG with technology-based community features to fuel a global exchange of scientific insights, teaching practices, and study resources. Scitable currently contains articles in the field of genetics and is intended for college undergraduate faculty and students. Future plans involve extension of Scitable to other fields within the life sciences, as well as to other audiences’. Created by Nature.com. For example, the Topics section contains ebooks, Topic Rooms, Knowledge Project, Spotlights and Blogs.
• The Artificial Human
  ‘The era of the man-made man or woman has arrived’. Artificial body parts available and being used.
• The Edge
  Linked to The Reality Club. Inquires into intellectual and other areas.
• The Human Brain
  Background on the organ which makes us human.
• Topical Index
  ‘The left window contains a list of topics. Selecting one of the major topic areas in bold will display a sub-list of options, from which you may select the desired exhibit. If you are looking for a particular kind of organism, our Web Lift to Taxa would be a better choice to search. If you are interested in a particular period in Earth’s history, try our Geologic Time Machine’.

Journals & Magazines

Scientific journals, often with full text access.

• BioMedNet Journal Collection
• Ansto Full List of E-Journals
  Check with your university as well as this listing. Use the Catalogue Search Engine to find a listing.
• Neuron
  Covering scientific but especially genetic information and biology.
• New Scientist
  Good online magazine with up to date science information and news.
• Popular Science Magazine
  Articles on science in easy to understand language. Slow to load.
• ScienceDirect
  Abstract databases and reference works.
• SciTech Daily Review
  Breaking news, features & backgrounds, analysis & opinion, interactive forums, publications, useful media, books & media.

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M - R

Media & Images

• 125 Great Science Videos : From Astronomy to Physics & Psychology [Open Culture]
  Videos from a wide range of quality sources, covering a considerable range of areas and topics.
• Life Changing Science
  Videos from Radio National’s The Science Show&. Previous year’s material is archived. Environment, health, space. Flash 6 plug-in to view. Transcripts available.
  Brilliant !
• Molecular Expressions
  Colour microscopy photography examples. Photo Gallery provides a collection stretching from ice cream to integrated circuits. Tutorials, primers on microscopy.
• ScienceHack
  ‘Every science video on ScienceHack is screened by a scientist to verify its accuracy and quality’. Videos listed under headings from Physics to Nature [12 in all].

News & Related Resources

• Access Research Network
  ‘Accessible information on science, technology and society. … on such controversial topics as genetic engineering, euthanasia, computer technology, environmental issues, creation, evolution, fetal tissue research, AIDS, more’.
• EurekAlert
  Designed to ensure scientific reporting is accurate. Tools, resources, research, more.
• Psci-com
  Gateway to the Public Understanding of Science. ‘Free access to a searchable catalogue of Internet sites covering public engagement in science, science communication and the interpretation of science in society’. Access by keyword or directories.
• RefScout^®
  ‘Weekly, scientific reference mailing service. Updated every week on the emerging literature in your field - enter key words, and RefScout® does the work. RefScout® screens databases covering life and medical sciences for the key words or the combination of key words you specified and will automatically update you with any abstract that has come up during the last seven days - every week and Free !’

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S - Z

Tools & Resources

• ARC Links
  ‘Internet links for tutorials and other resources in various academic subjects’. Select Science topics by clicking on Links > Natural Science > the desired link from among Anatomy & Physiology, Biology & Nutrition, Chemistry, Environmental Science, Geology, Geography & GIS, Microbiology, Organic Chemistry &Biochemistry, Physics & Astronomy.
• Closer to the Truth
  Scientists, scholars and artists discuss areas such as Brain & Mind and Earth & Universe. Up to date, topical, intelligent.
• Science Animations
  Movies & Interactive Tutorial Links. Links, compiled by a US university. 11 topic groups from Anatomy to Physics.

Software

• Daniel’s XL Toolbox
  ‘A free add-in for Microsoft^® Excel^® for researchers in the biomedical and other sciences. Its worksheet management features also make it a useful general-purpose add-in’. Two versions, one for Excel 2007 and one for Excel 2003 and earlier.
• Hearne Scientific Software
  Fee-based but may be useful for those seeking specialist software. Australian company. Download demonstrations, patches, get quotes.
• Jmol
  ‘Jmol is a free, open source molecule viewer for students, educators, and researchers in chemistry and biochemistry. It is cross-platform, running on Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux/Unix systems’.
• SciCraft
  ‘Free data analysis software which allows the user to access advanced methods in statistics, chemometrics and artificial intelligence through an easy-to-use graphical user interface’.
• Star
  ‘The STAR program at MIT seeks to bridge the divide between scientific research and the classroom. STAR educational tools are Freely available. To complement our educational software, the STAR website contains curriculum components/modules which can facilitate the use of STAR educational tools in a variety of educational settings. Students, teachers, and professors should feel welcome to download software and curriculum modules for their own use’.

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