The Department of Physics and Astronomy offers an undergraduate program and a full graduate program in Physics and Astronomy. The department’s broad research areas are condensed matter physics, astronomy, and particle physics. Related centers and research sites are the Center for Particle Cosmology, the Laboratory for Research on the Structure of Matter, and the Singh Center for Nanotechnology.
Physics and Astronomy Collection Development Policy
Accordion List
- Chronological
Emphasis is on current research.
- Formats
The Libraries collects monographic series, monographs, databases, datasets, and journals in print and electronic formats that can be maintained by the Libraries’ infrastructure. Journals are collected with a preference for electronic format, but print is collected if a viable electronic form is unavailable. Perpetual access, user experience, faculty preference, physical space, and cost factor into format decisions.
- Geographical
Not applicable
- Language
The primary language is English, however materials in other languages or their translations may also be acquired.
- Publication Dates
The emphasis is on current publications.
- Other
The Libraries strives to acquire materials that support equity in learning and research that meet ADA and WC3 accessibility guidelines.
The Libraries actively evaluate and support open access publishing models for scholarly work in Mathematics. Models are assessed on a case-by-case basis on criteria such as equitable access to production and dissemination, sustainability, licensing terms, and cost.
Faculty, staff, and student recommendations, approval plans, and standing orders for monographic series are principle sources for acquisitions. Publishers' catalogs and communications are also consulted.
History, philosophy, instructional exposition, atlases, biographies, bibliographies, dictionaries, general audience, and recreational works.
The Engineering and Computer Science Collection supports the School of Engineering and Applied Science, including research in materials science, bioengineering, and applied mechanics. The Earth and Environmental Studies Collection acquires materials on geophysics and meteorology. The Van Pelt-Dietrich Library Center collects historical, philosophical, biographical, and general audience works on physics and astronomy.
Due to the proximity of the Drexel University Libraries, reciprocal user arrangements have been established. Penn faculty can register at Drexel's libraries for borrowing privileges, and Penn graduate students can use letters of introduction to establish borrowing privileges at Drexel.