Skip to Main Content
The Library

STEM - General Research Guide: Home

This is a general STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) guide with resources and strategies to help you get started with research in these disciplines. It's a good starting place for students in the Summer Research Program, Faculty Mentor Program, and others that are part of the Undergraduate Research Hub, as well as the REUs (Research Experience for Undergraduates) and internships. We have more comprehensive subject research guides if you want to go beyond what is listed here, as well as a similar guide for biomedical sciences research.  We also have a guide that only includes free and open access STEM resources.

Please contact me at tmvogel@ucsd.edu if you have questions about accessing or using these resources or want to schedule a research consultation. 

Accessing Electronic Resources

The Library licenses thousands of electronic resources (databases, ebooks, journals, streaming media, etc.). Anything with UCSD Only is restricted to UC San Diego faculty, students, and staff.

  • On campus, use the UCSD-Protected wifi network.
  • Off-campus, there are 2 options:

Open Athens (single sign-on)

There are several ways you can connect:

  1. Sign in and connect through UC Library Search.
  2. Sign in at the publisher or vendor website.
    • Look for 'Sign in Through My Institution' or 'Access via OpenAthens'.
    • Select 'University of California San Diego' and choose OpenAthens Federation if prompted.

VPN (client software required)

VPN is still required for some resources, including the SciFinder registration site.

  1. Select the option for your computer or device's operating system, and follow the instructions to download and connect.
  2. When you connect, you must select the group 2-Step Secured - allthruucsd.
    1. You will need to sign in and complete the Duo authentication each time you use VPN.