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Physics and Astronomy

Collection Development Policy
Peter Smith, Librarian

  1. Applicable LC Classes:

    2. Call No. Subject Heading
    QB Astronomy
    QC 1-168.5 Physics
    QC 170-197 Atomic Physics
    QC 221-246 Acoustics. Sound
    QC 251-338 Heat
    QC 350-467 Optics. Light
    QC 474-496.9 Radiation
    QC 501-766 Electricity and Magnetism
    QC 770-798 Nuclear and Particle Physics
    QC 801-899 Geophysics, Geomagnetism

  2. Academic Departments, Programs, etc.:

    3. The Department of Physics and Astronomy offers a BS degree in physics and BA in Education degree in physics/mathematics and chemistsry/physics education.

  3. Collection Levels:

    4. Call No. Subject Heading Present Desired
    QB Astronomy 3a 3a
    QC 1-168.5 Physics 3a 3a
    QC 170-197 Atomic Physics 3a 3a
    QC 221-246 Acoustics. Sound 3a 3a
    QC 251-338 Heat 3a 3a
    QC 350-467 Optics. Light 3a 3a
    QC 474-496.9 Radiation 3a 3a
    QC 501-766 Electricity and Magnetism 3a 3a
    QC 770-798 Nuclear and Particle Physics 3a 3a
    QC 801-899 Geophysics, Geomagnetism 3a 3a

  4. Scope:

    5. PresentDesired
    Scope: International no change
    Language: International no change
    Chronological limitations: None no change

  5. Formats collected/Non-Subject Parameters:

    6. The Physics and Astronomy collection contains mostly journals and books. There are some videos available.

  6. System Coordination and Resource Sharing:

    7. The faculty depend on inter-library loan and Summit book borrowing to support their research interests.

  7. Electronic Databases:

    8. AccessScience and ProQuest Science Journals are available for Physics and Astronomy research topics. MathSciNet includes physics and astronomy literature. The Encyclopedia of Astronomy and Astrophysics is a major reference work available online. By request students and faculty may search the INSPEC database with the librarian. There are very good literature databases available for free on the Internet including, PhysDoc, the High Energy Physics Literature Database, and NASA's Astrophysics Data Systems.

  8. Notable Features:

    9. The SPIE collection of publications is donated by SPIE to the library, and this represents a major portion of materials supporting physics and optics.

  9. Narrative Statement:

    10. The Physics and Astronomy collection is dominated by a few critical journal subscriptions. The departmental faculty are always careful to review the journal subscriptions and retain funding for book purchases. Journal subscriptions are recommended by the faculty, book purchases are recommended by faculty and selected by the librarian.

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