**Publisher:** ProQuest
**Subjects Covered:** Biology, life sciences, biochemistry, genetics, ecology, environmental science, biotechnology, and biomedicine.

Overview

The Biological Science Collection from ProQuest provides comprehensive coverage of life sciences research across molecular biology, environmental science, microbiology, and biotechnology. It integrates multiple subcollections, including the Biological Sciences Database and MEDLINE®, offering access to peer‑reviewed journals, dissertations, and conference papers. This collection supports academic, laboratory, and applied research in the biological and environmental sciences. For South Dakota Mines, it is especially valuable for students and faculty in Chemical & Biological Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, and Environmental Science programs.

Scope and Content

• Coverage Dates: 1946–present.
• Content Types: Peer‑reviewed journals, dissertations, technical reports, conference proceedings, and trade publications.
• Core Topics: Cellular and molecular biology, ecology, genetics, microbiology, biochemistry, physiology, and biotechnology.
• Full‑text Access: Over 1,000 journals and 3,000 indexed sources.
• Update Frequency: Daily updates via the ProQuest platform.
• Languages: Primarily English with international coverage.

Strengths

• Comprehensive life sciences coverage integrating multiple subfields.
• Includes grey literature such as dissertations and reports.
• Interdisciplinary connections with environmental and engineering sciences.
• Robust ProQuest search tools with citation export and alerts.
• Historical depth reaching back to the mid‑20th century.
• Valuable for both basic and applied biological research.

Limitations

• Subscription required for full‑text access.
• Some overlap with MEDLINE and Environmental Science Collection.
• Interface may be complex for first‑time users.
• Limited coverage of non‑biological physical sciences.
• Few multimedia or visual datasets compared to specialized bioinformatics resources.

Best For

• Biological and biomedical engineering students conducting lab or design projects.
• Faculty researching genetics, ecology, or biotechnology.
• Environmental and life science capstone teams working on sustainability analysis.
• Graduate students preparing theses in molecular or cellular biology.
• Researchers linking biology with materials, nanoscience, or health applications.

Complementary Databases

Overall Evaluation

The Biological Science Collection (ProQuest) is a core life sciences database that supports teaching, learning, and interdisciplinary research across biology, biotechnology, and environmental studies. Its comprehensive coverage and historical depth make it valuable for both foundational and applied scientific research. For South Dakota Mines, this resource enhances biological and environmental engineering programs, supports biotechnology and sustainability research, and strengthens the institution’s STEM library holdings. It should appear on the A‑to‑Z Databases list and in Biological Sciences, Biomedical Engineering, and Environmental Science LibGuides as a ProQuest database for life sciences and biotechnology research.

Ask Digby – Library Help

Need help finding biological or environmental research materials? Ask Digby, the Devereaux Library’s friendly prairie dog mascot! Digby can help you locate peer‑reviewed sources, set up search alerts, and connect related engineering and life sciences databases.

📧 Email: library@sdsmt.edu

🌐 Chat: Ask Digby
🔗 Library Catalog (Primo): https://sdsmt.primo.exlibrisgroup.com

📍 Devereaux Library, South Dakota Mines, Rapid City, SD