Resources for science and technology

The University Library offers subject-specific literature, such as journals, books and reference works, for students and staff at the faculty. Here you will find an overview of the library's general and subject-oriented resources, as well as subject contacts who help with searches and literature requests.

Library of Science and Technology

Key resources and databases

Search tools, reference works and learning resources common to the natural-science and technology fields.

Printed and digital books

The Oria search tool shows which books we have and how to access them. Printed books are on the shelves in our premises at Realfagbygget (Allégaten 41). Many of the library's books are only available as e-books; they can be read when you are logged in to UiB's network through VPN.

Useful tips:

  • Virtual shelf: When you have clicked into a book in Oria, you can scroll down the page to the virtual bookshelf. This feature lets you see which other books are on the same shelf, and can help you find other relevant literature.
  • Course literature: The library has one copy of course books available for use in the library. These are marked with red tape and shelved in the course collection on dedicated shelves near the desk. For most books there are also loan copies.
  • Norwegian Library of Talking Books and Braille (Tibi): Students with visual or reading difficulties can borrow accessible study literature from Tibi.
Search tools and databases

When you are logged in to UiB's network with VPN you have access to more than 16,000 academic journals. You can find articles from these journals by searching in Oria or another database; see which general and subject-specific databases are available in the database search in Oria.

Some multidisciplinary databases for scholarly articles:

  • Web of Science – multidisciplinary article database with citation tracking
  • Google Scholar – free search engine for academic literature across disciplines
  • JSTOR – digital library of primary sources
  • ArXiv – database for preprints of scholarly articles

Useful tips:

  • If you need an article we do not have access to, you can order it in Oria (remember to log in!).
  • Search tip: Use specific search terms, or subject headings.
  • Use the LibKey browser extension when you search for literature online to see immediately whether you have access to an article.
  • Use Oria to verify the credibility of a journal or article: whether UiB has access, whether it exists and whether it is published through recognized scholarly channels.
Reference works

If you do a search in Oria, you can filter the results to reference works. These include encyclopedias, dictionaries, handbooks and manuals. We also have printed reference works in the REF collection by the desk area.

Encyclopedias

Do you need an approved definition of a technical term? Or a short and concise explanation of a method or phenomenon? Or inspiration for further searching? UiB has access to a number of encyclopedias. Here are some examples:

Dictionaries

Dictionaries translate words and concepts from one language or language form to another. Some dictionaries may be brought to exams! Here are some examples of dictionaries at the Library of Science and Technology:

Other

Many reference works are freely available and you do not need UiB's network to use them:

Patents

New technologies are constantly being developed at the university – to protect the intellectual work behind such development, you can apply for a patent.

Resources for your subject

Here you will find information about more specific resources such as databases, reference works, literature and any learning tools related to your field.

Guidance and tools for all subjects

Subject contacts and guidance

The library's subject contacts have an academic background and can therefore help with:

  • Setting up a search
  • Finding literature
  • Citation
  • Using reference management tools

Subject contacts also tailor teaching for various courses in consultation with the course coordinators at the faculty.

You can drop by one of our offices at the Library of Science and Technology or submit a contact form to request a guidance session.

Online resources and learning tools

Reference management

Reference management tools let you gather sources, organize a reference library and insert citations automatically in your text. The library holds regular courses in the use of these tools.

Guidance sites

Together with other universities and colleges, UiB has developed websites to help students and PhD candidates with academic work:

  • Søk & Skriv – a guide to information searching and academic writing, developed for students
  • PhD on Track – a resource for early-career researchers at Norwegian universities and colleges
Biosciences

Subject contact: Hege Folkestad

Learning resources and tools

  • ChemDraw – software for drawing chemical structures
  • biOrakel – help and guidance for writing a report, essay or other text
  • Biologididaktikk – teaching blog and toolbox

Books, journals and reference works

Databases

In addition to the general and multidisciplinary databases, you can explore more subject-specific databases for biology and molecular biology. Here are some examples:

Reference works

Unsure about a method or a concept within the biosciences? See our selection of dictionaries, encyclopedias, handbooks and manuals! Here are some examples:

Find books on the shelf

300 Social sciences

  • 333.95 Biodiversity
  • 363.73 Pollution

500 General natural science

  • 508 Natural history

570 Biology

  • 571 Physiology and related subjects
  • 572 Biochemistry
    • 572.2 Plant biochemistry
    • 572.4 Metabolism
    • 572.5 Miscellaneous chemicals
    • 572.6 Proteins
    • 572.7 Enzymes
    • 572.8 Biochemical genetics
  • 573 Specific physiological systems in animals, regional histology and physiology in animals
  • 575 Specific parts of and physiological systems in plants
  • 576 Genetics and evolution
  • 577 Ecology
  • 578 Natural history of organisms and related subjects
  • 579 Natural history of microorganisms, fungi, algae

580 Botany

590 Zoology

  • 592–595 Invertebrates
  • 597–599 Vertebrates

610 Medicine and health

  • 611 Human anatomy, cytology and histology
  • 612 Human physiology

630 Agriculture

  • 639 Hunting, fishing, conservation of biological resources, related activities
    • 639.1 Hunting
    • 639.2 Fishing
    • 639.3 Fish farming
    • 639.9 Nature conservation

660 Chemical engineering

  • 663 Beverage technology
  • 664 Food technology
Physics and technology

Subject contact: Ingunn Rødland

Learning resources and tools

Books, journals and reference works

Databases

In addition to the general and multidisciplinary databases, you can explore more subject-specific databases for physics and technology. Here are some:

  • IEEE Xplore – full-text database for technical literature.
  • OnePetro – literature within petroleum studies.
  • CERN Document Server – articles, reports and other types of material within particle physics.

Reference works

Unsure about a method or a concept within physics? See our selection of dictionaries, encyclopedias, handbooks and manuals! Here are some examples:

Handbooks

Find books on the shelf

520 Astronomy

  • 521 Celestial mechanics
  • 522 Techniques, procedures, apparatus, equipment, materials
  • 523 Specific celestial bodies and phenomena
  • 525 The Earth (astronomical geography)
  • 526 Mathematical geography
  • 527 Celestial navigation
  • 528 Ephemerides
  • 529 Chronology

530 Physics

  • 531 Classical mechanics
  • 532 Fluid mechanics
  • 533 (Pneumatics) Mechanics of gases
  • 534 Sound and related vibrations
  • 535 Light and non-visible light
  • 536 Heat
  • 537 Electricity and electronics
  • 538 Magnetism
  • 539 Modern physics

620 Technology (engineering) and related fields

  • 621 Applied physics
  • 622 Mining and related operations (includes oil and gas extraction)
  • 623 Military and nautical engineering
  • 624 Civil engineering
  • 627 Hydraulic engineering
  • 628 Sanitary and municipal engineering (environmental protection)

Literature on various energy sources is also found under 333.7–333.9. Books on renewable energy have numbers beginning with 333.79.

Earth sciences

Subject contact: Kjersti Hasle Enerstvedt

Learning resources and tools

Books, journals and reference works

Databases

In addition to the general and multidisciplinary databases, you can explore more subject-specific databases for earth sciences. Here are some:

Reference works

Unsure about a method or a concept within earth sciences? See our selection of dictionaries, encyclopedias, handbooks and manuals! Here are some examples:

Maps

The library has printed maps in the collection and in the map cabinet. Ask at the desk to borrow maps from us!

Norway
  • The Geological Survey of Norway has digitally available geological maps with several types of associated data. The maps are interactive and can be downloaded in various formats.
  • Norgeskart has electronically available topographic maps.
  • From the Geonorge map catalogue, maps of Norway in various scales and formats can be downloaded (registration required, free access).
Other countries
Sweden
Finland
Iceland
Denmark
International:

Find books on the shelf

550 Earth sciences

551 General hydrology, meteorology and geology

  • 551.1 Earth's structure and properties
  • 551.2 Volcanoes, earthquakes, hot springs
  • 551.3 Exogenous processes and their agents
  • 551.4 Geomorphology and hydrology
  • 551.46–47 Oceanography
  • 551.5 Meteorology
  • 551.6 Climatology and weather
  • 551.7 Historical geology
  • 551.8 Structural geology
  • 551.9 Geochemistry

552 Petrology (Rocks)

  • 552.1 Igneous rocks
  • 552.2 Volcanic rocks
  • 552.3 Plutonic rocks
  • 552.4 Metamorphic rocks
  • 552.5 Sedimentary rocks

553 Economic geology

  • 553.1 Formation and occurrence of economic deposits
  • 553.2 Carbonaceous raw materials

554 Earth sciences of Europe

555 Earth sciences of Asia

556 Earth sciences of Africa

557 Earth sciences of North America

558 Earth sciences of South America

559 Earth sciences of Australasia, Pacific islands, Atlantic islands, Arctic islands, Antarctica, extraterrestrial worlds

Informatics

Subject contact: Jenny Ostrop

Learning resources and tools

Books, journals and reference works

Databases

In addition to the general and multidisciplinary databases, you can explore more subject-specific databases for informatics. Here are some:

Reference works

Unsure about a method or a concept within informatics? See our selection of dictionaries, encyclopedias, handbooks and manuals! Here are some examples:

Find books on the shelf

000 Informatics, knowledge and systems

  • 003 Systems
  • 004 Informatics
  • 005 Software development, software, data
    • 005.133 Programming languages
  • 006 Special computer methods
Chemistry

Subject contact: Ingunn Rødland

Learning resources and tools

Books, journals and reference works

Databases

In addition to the general and multidisciplinary databases, you can explore more subject-specific databases for chemistry. Here are some:

Wondering how to go about reading a scholarly article in chemistry? Read the guide from the Royal Society of Chemistry!

Reference works

Unsure about a method or a concept within chemistry? See our selection of dictionaries, encyclopedias, handbooks and manuals! Here are some examples:

Handbooks

Find books on the shelf

540 Chemistry

  • 541 Physical chemistry
  • 542 Techniques, procedures, apparatus, equipment, materials
  • 543 Analytical chemistry
  • 546 Inorganic chemistry
  • 547 Organic chemistry
  • 548 Crystallography
  • 549 Mineralogy

610 Medicine and health

  • 615 Pharmacology and treatment
Mathematics

Subject contact: Jenny Ostrop

Books, journals and reference works

Databases

In addition to the general and multidisciplinary databases, you can explore more subject-specific databases for mathematics. Here are some:

Reference works

Unsure about a term or concept within mathematics? See our selection of dictionaries, encyclopedias, handbooks and manuals! Here are some examples:

Find books on the shelf

510 Mathematics

  • 511 General mathematical principles
  • 512 Algebra
  • 513 Arithmetic
  • 514 Topology
  • 515 Mathematical analysis
  • 516 Geometry
  • 518 Numerical analysis
  • 519 Probability and applied mathematics

Looking for syllabus and academic literature?

Reading lists are available in the course on Mitt UiB and on the course pages. In addition, you can search for academic literature in Oria.

Find literature lists Search in Oria
Last updated: 18.06.2026