Biology

This guide is designed to help students learn how to use K-State Libraries' many resources for studying and learning biology.

Library Research Guide

Tips and Tools

Planning your semester

  • Use the Rubric - Instructors use rubrics to assess learning. If your assignment has a rubric, read it carefully and plan your work accordingly.
  • One month on a calendarUse a Calendar - There are plenty of free scheduling apps online, but using your K-State account (Outlook email and calendar) makes it easy to book collaboration spaces in the library and schedule Zoom meetings and study dates.
  • Break down tasks - Turn your big assignments into smaller tasks, make yourself due dates for those, and put them on your calendar. Try out some of the tools below.
  • Make an appointment with a tutor, librarian, or the Writing Center - We are trained to help you with your assignments, exam preparation, research, and writing. You don't have to know everything or anything about your assignment or research topic to make an appointment. Learn more about academic support in the next section.

Learning in general

  • Learn about learning - We aren't usually taught to learn but the learning process is studied by educators, instructors, and researchers so there's a lot to learn about learning. Check out the Books on Learning box on this page to get started.
  • Find and watch other lectures - If course content isn't clear, find a lecture or explanation on YouTube or look for a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC). Use the links in the Courses box on this page to get started.

Support for Biology Students

Academic support

The Writing Center and tutoring services at K-State focus on the success of learning and writing processes as a whole, not just the end result. So make an appointment if you don't understand your notes and when you get started on a project or as you're developing ideas, working through an assignment, or finishing a report.

Student clubs and organizations

Biology clubs and organizations are a great way to meet students with shared interests, as well as professional biologists in an informal setting, and also serve as an excellent way to find out about career opportunities and what it takes to make a career in your area of interest. They support your learning by connecting you with a community of undergraduate and graduate students who are enrolled in or have taken the courses you are taking.