Accessibility Options:
Related Guides: Computer Science | Engineering | Math | Physics | STEM Writing

Welcome
Hello and welcome to the Chemistry Research Guide! This guide is designed to help you begin your research journey by connecting you with key resources available through the University of Miami Libraries and beyond. Use the tabs to explore specific topics, tools, and strategies that will support your academic and professional work in chemistry. Throughout the guide, you’ll find sections labeled “Diverse Voices,” which highlight the contributions of individuals from historically underrepresented groups in STEM and provide resources that address the ongoing challenges of diversity and inclusion in the field.
Getting Started
uSearch allows you to discover materials from all University of Miami Libraries.
Need help with uSearch?
The uSearch Guide will help you with searching.
Not finding what you want in uSearch?
Through an interlibrary loan you can borrow items outside of UM.
Is the library open?
Different library hours are posted on this page.
Off Campus?
A Virtual Private Network (VPN) will let you connect to resources while away.
Are you an undergraduate?
Undergraduate Essentials includes recommended resources at the library for undergraduates, many of which are online.
Are you a graduate?
Graduate Essentials has recommended resources at the library for graduate students, many of which are online.
Are you faculty?
Faculty Essentials includes recommended resources at the library for faculty, many of which are online.
Need help?
-
Erica Newcome
STEM and Interdisciplinary Research Librarian
she/her
Library Chat box
Article Types
Peer-reviewed: Procedure where scholarly work is evaluated by experts of the same discipline against a set of criteria to ensure that it meets certain standards necessary for publication.
Preprint: A version of a scientific manuscript posted on a public server prior to peer review.
Scholarly: Written by academics and other experts and contributes to knowledge in a particular subject by sharing new research findings, theories, analyses, insights, news, or summaries of current knowledge.
Databases
Web of Science
A multi-disciplinary database that provides integrated access to over 8,000 key research journals indexed in: Science Citation Index Expanded, Social Science Citation Index, and Arts and Humanities Citation Index.
SCOPUS
Covering the life, physical, health, and social sciences, Scopus is a large abstract and citation database of research literature and web sources.
Knovel Library
An online reference shelf including handbooks, dictionaries and datasets covering the full range of engineering disciplines; also includes biochemical, biology and chemistry reference resources.
SciFinder-n
CAS SciFinder-n is a source for authoritatively identifying a chemical substance and its related chemical structures, chemical names, regulatory information, and properties, including CAS Registry Numbers, reaction schemes, step-by-step experimental procedures, detailed conditions, and product yields.
eJournal Collections
American Chemical Society Web Editions
Provides access to the entire library of ACS full-text journals. ACS Journal archives allows access to 120 years of chemistry research. The online archives searches the full text of all titles published by ACS from 1879 to the present day providing seamless integration between the archives and web editions. ACS allows electronic delivery of articles in PDF format with fullscale integration with the original document.
Royal Society of Chemistry Journals
Full-text articles published in Royal Society of Chemistry journals.
Library Catalog
Resource not in the UM Catalog?
Digital Journal Newsstand
BrowZine
Delivers subscribed academic journals to your desktop or laptop, smartphone or tablet.
Diverse Voices
500 Queer Scientists
A visibility campaign for LGBTQ+ people and their allies working in STEM and STEM-supporting jobs — a group that collectively represents a powerful force of scientific progress and discovery. 1,926 stories and counting....
Cite Black Authors
Database that seeks to enhance recognition and citation of black academic voices.
Diverse Sources
Search this database of experts to include more underrepresented voices and perspectives in your science, health and environment work on deadline.
Gage
A resource for journalists, educators, policy makers and others seeking the expertise of women and gender diverse STEMM professionals.
References
Libraries, U. of T. (2015, November 5). What counts as a scholarly source? https://onesearch.library.utoronto.ca/faq/what-counts-scholarly-source
Preprints. (n.d.). PLOS. Retrieved August 9, 2022, from https://plos.org/open-science/preprints/
eBook
eBook Central (Proquest): Chemistry
eBooks from well-regarded publishers and scholarly sources, including University Presses.
Wiley Online Library: Chemistry
Multidisciplinary collection of online resources.
References
Access Science
Online encyclopedic resource that contains incisively written, high-quality reference material that covers all major scientific disciplines.
CRC Press Handbook of Chemistry and Physics
Broad coverage of science, technology, and medical resources.
Oxford Reference: Chemistry
Specialized subject dictionaries are available in a wide range of disciplines.
Van Nostrand's Scientific Encyclopedia
Since 1938, the Van Nostrand’s Scientific Encyclopedia has enjoyed a reputation as one of the most important and comprehensive general scientific references available, suitable for both academic and professional environments.
Library Catalog
Resource not in the UM Catalog?
Diverse Voices
- Advancing educational outcomes in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics at historically Black colleges and universities
- Building gender equity in the academy : institutional strategies for change
- Diversifying STEM : Multidisciplinary Perspectives on Race and Gender
- Diversity and Equity in Science Education : Research, Policy, and Practice
- Success Strategies from Women in STEM: A Portable Mentor
- Women of Color in STEM: Navigating the Workforce
What is a dissertation or thesis?
Thesis: A proposition advanced and defended in a formal disputation, especially by a candidate in partial fulfillment of university requirements for a master's degree (for most United States universities).
Dissertation & Theses Databases
Dissertations & Theses Global (ProQuest)
The world's most comprehensive collection of full-text dissertations and theses. Includes millions of searchable citations to dissertations and theses from 1861 to the present day together with over a million full-text dissertations that are available for download in PDF format. The database offers full text for most of the dissertations added since 1997 and strong retrospective full-text coverage for older graduate works. It also includes PQDT UK & Ireland content.
Dissertations & Theses @ University of Miami
This database gives access to the dissertations and theses produced by students at the University of Miami.
Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations
Contains full-text theses and dissertations from colleges and universities around the world. The Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations (NDLTD) is an international organization dedicated to promoting the adoption, creation, use, dissemination and preservation of electronic analogues to the traditional paper-based theses and dissertations.
Center for Research Libraries: Foreign Doctoral Dissertations
An international consortium of university, college, and independent research libraries that supports original research and inspired teaching in the humanities, sciences, and social sciences by preserving and making available primary source materials from all world regions.
PhdData
Holds a database of doctoral dissertations in progress around the world.
Library Catalog
Resource not in the UM Catalog?
References
Podcast
- Chemistry World (Royal Society of Chemistry)
Chemical stories, interviews, news and opinions, delivered directly to your device via podcast. - Distillations (Science History Institute)
Using stories from science's past to understand our world. - Stereo Chemistry (Chemical & Engineering News/ACS)
Voices and stories from the world of chemistry podcast.
Video
- Chemistry (TED Talks)
A collection of TED Talks on the topic of Chemistry. - Academic Video Online
AVON is a streaming video platform providing more than 79,000 titles spanning a wide range of subject areas, including anthropology, business, history, music, and more. The platform allows users to to organize and bookmark clips, create and share playlists, personalize folders, and manage their entire collection.
X
- @cenmag
C&EN (Chemical & Engineering News) - @NatureChemistry
A chemistry journal twitter account from Nature Portfolio Springer Nature. - @univmiami_Chem
University of Miami Chemistry Department twitter account.
Diverse Voices
Women in Chemistry TV Show
TV show and companion film series, celebrates women scientists and entrepreneurs.
@BlackInChem
Amplifying Black voices and celebrating Black excellence in chemistry.
@BlackWomenSTEM
An online community for self-identified Black women in STEM.
@LatinXChem
A forum for Latin American chemistry community.
@LGBTSTEM
Improving LGBTQ+ visibility in STEM.
@VanguardSTEM
Encouraging conversations between emerging & established women of color in STEM.
The ACS Voices Diversity Podcast
Podcast series featuring interviews with diverse chemists.
Related Guide: Data Management and DMPs
Data
Dataverse Project: Chemistry
An open source web application to share, preserve, cite, explore, and analyze research data.
Directory of Open Access Repositories (OpenDOAR)
Quality-assured global directory of academic open access repositories.
FigShare: Chemistry
Allows users to upload any file format to be previewed in the browser so that any research output, from posters and presentations to datasets and code, can be disseminated in a way that the current scholarly publishing model does not allow.
National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
Mission: "To promote U.S. innovation and industrial competitiveness by advancing measurement science, standards, and technology in ways that enhance economic security and improve our quality of life." Part of the U.S. Department of Commerce.
Oak Ridge National Laboratory Distributed Active Archive Center
Provides data and information relevant to biogeochemical dynamics, ecological data, and environmental processes, critical for understanding the dynamics relating to the biological, geological, and chemical components of Earth's environment.
Registry of Research Data Repositories (re3Data.org): Chemistry
An international registry of research data repositories.
Zenodo
Zenodo is an "catch-all" open repository developed under the European OpenAIRE program and operated by CERN.
Updated box
Jenna Courtade
Research Data Management Librarian
Email: jmc525@miami.edu

Cameron Riopelle
Director of Research Data & Open Scholarship
Email: criopelle@miami.edu
Call: 305.284.3257
Online Tools
ChemDraw
Allows you to locate properties information for structures and create publication-quality structural diagrams/models.
Note: You must first register.
ChemSpider
Free chemical structure database from RSC provides access to over 25 million structures, properties and associated information.
Overleaf/Latex
Overleaf is a collaborative cloud-based LaTeX editor used for writing, editing and publishing scientific documents.
SciNote Electronic Lab Notebook (ELN)
SciNote’s flexibility allows you to organize all your data in your preferred way. It gives structure and context to all your notes, excel sheets, tables, checklists or pictures.
Chemistry Department Software
The Chemistry Department offers the following computational resources for molecular modeling and calculations software:
- GaussView
- Spartan Titan
- Molden Pymol
- SwissPDB
- Viewer VMD
- Gaussian03
- GROMAC
Definitions
Conference Papers: An original paper at a formal gathering of peers which may be subsequently published in its proceedings.
Conference Proceedings: The published record of a conference, congress, symposium, or other meeting sponsored by a society or association.
Gray/Grey Literature: Documentary material in print and electronic formats, such as reports, preprints, internal documents, memoranda, newsletters, market surveys, theses, dissertations, conference proceedings, technical specifications, standards, or trade literature.
Conference Papers/Proceedings
Conference Proceedings Citation Index- Science
Indexes current and retrospective bibliographic data on science conferences. Contains links to Web of Science source records so items may be included in word and citation searches. Data indexed: conference titles, sponsors, locations, dates article titles, authors, author addresses publisher names and addresses series titles, book titles, ISSN and ISBN numbers.
IEEE Xplore Digital Library
Full-text access to journals, conference proceedings and active standards published by IEEE and IET.
American Institute of Physics Publications (AIP Publishing)
Leading journals and conference proceedings from AIP Publishing and AIP Member Societies.
Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI) - U.S. Department of Energy
Collects, preserves, and disseminates both unclassified and classified scientific and technical information emanating from government-funded research and development activities at the Department of Energy's national laboratories, scientific facilities, universities, and other institutions nationwide.
Organizations
American Academy of Forensic Scientists
Promoting justice for all and integrity through forensic science.
American Chemical Society
Organization with the mission of advancing the broader chemistry enterprise and its practitioners for the benefit of Earth and its people.
American Institute of Chemists
Promote and protect the public welfare; to establish and maintain standards of practice for these professions; and to promote the professional experience through certification as to encourage competent and efficient service.
Geochemical Society
Nonprofit scientific society founded to encourage the application of geochemistry to improving our understanding of the Earth and solar system.
Society of Chemical Industry
A global network of innovators, formed in 1881 by prominent scientists, inventors and entrepreneurs, who went on to form the products, processes and companies that propelled society forward.
Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry
Not-for-profit, worldwide professional organization composed of about 5,000 individuals and institution in more than 90 countries dedicated to the study, analysis and solution of environmental problems, the management and regulation of natural resources, research and development and environmental education.
Library Catalog
Resource not in the UM Catalog?
Diverse Voices
- Association for Women in Science
The organization aims to combat job discrimination, lower pay, and professional isolation. - Chemists with Disabilities
Everyone is welcome to join this subdivision of the American Chemist Society, especially if you’re disabled or work with disabled professionals or students. - Gay and Transgender Chemists and Allies (GTCA)
People of all orientations and genders are welcome to join this subdivision of the American Chemical Society. - National Association for the Professional Development of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers
Build an eminent cadre of successful diverse global leaders in STEM and advance their professional endeavors by adding value to their academic, development, leadership, and philanthropic endeavors throughout the life-cycle of their careers. - Society for the Advancement of Chicanos & Native Americans in Science
Dedicated to fostering the success of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans, from college students to professionals, in attaining advanced degrees, careers, and positions of leadership in STEM.
References
What is a patent?
Patents are privileges granted to the inventor of a new product or process. It excludes others from producing or making use of an invention for a limited period, unless under license from the holder of the patent.
Patents
Google Patents
Good for browsing or if you know the exact patent number.
Lens
Covers many international patent databases and jurisdictions.
World Intellectual Property Organization PatentScope
Using PATENTSCOPE you can search 106 million patent documents including 4.4 million published international patent applications (PCT).
United States Patent and Trademark Office
Search for patents in the United States Patent and Trademark Office database.
Free Patents Online
Global patent search engine.
esp@cenet
Euproean pantent search engine.
Japanese Patent Office
Japanese patent repository
University of Miami Policies
- Inventions, Intellectual Property, and Technology Transfer
The purpose of this policy is to outline rights and responsibilities regarding inventions, intellectual property and technology transfer and to provide guidelines for the protection, management, and commercial application of nnovations. - U Innovation Office
U Innovation oversees all aspects of technology commercialization at the University of Miami. Our team supports, promotes, and facilitates the transfer of university innovations for the benefit of the university community and the public.