K-State Libraries
History
The Math/Physics Library is located in Cardwell Hall and has been in
that location since Cardwell Hall was completed in 1963.
Prior to 1963, the collection formed part of the Chemistry and Physics
Library located in Willard Hall. The Math/Physics Library contains
over 20,000 volumes and currently receives roughly 300 serial titles.
The primary function of the Math/Physics Library is to maintain an on-site collection of printed materials to support the advanced program of study, teaching, and research in physics, mathematics, and allied sciences. Areas of emphasis include atomic physics, solid state physics, and physics education; and algebra (mathematics of discrete phenomena), analysis (mathematics of continuous phenomena), geometry (rigid spatial phenomena), and topology (geometry of non-rigid spatial phenomena). While these two departments are primarily engaged in pure rather than applied research, applications exist in areas such as the development of better materials (for creation of more powerful magnets or for implantation of ions in the development of semiconductors, e.g.) and for study of damage which could occur inside fusion accelerators, as well as in endeavors such as describing a unified field theory of the universe (the search for a common, unifying factor among the gravitational, nuclear, and electromagnetic forces) and creating mathematical models of biological phenomena (e.g., medical drug applications).
In a typical recent year, these two of the university's 65 departments brought in 2.9M research grant dollars to the university (with Physics Department grants constituting nearly 85% of the combined total). From these grant dollars, 1.24M+ dollars, which is roughly 34% of the university's total "overhead" budget, was generated. Additionally, the Mathematics Department has the highest number of student credit hours taught by any department at the university. The Math/Physics Library exists, in part, to provide direct information access/assistance so that physics and mathematics faculty members can continue to generate this high level of financial contribution to the university's non-legislatively appropriated budget and teaching contribution to the university's educational mission.
The primary function of the Math/Physics Library is to maintain an on-site collection of printed materials to support the advanced program of study, teaching, and research in physics, mathematics, and allied sciences. Areas of emphasis include atomic physics, solid state physics, and physics education; and algebra (mathematics of discrete phenomena), analysis (mathematics of continuous phenomena), geometry (rigid spatial phenomena), and topology (geometry of non-rigid spatial phenomena). While these two departments are primarily engaged in pure rather than applied research, applications exist in areas such as the development of better materials (for creation of more powerful magnets or for implantation of ions in the development of semiconductors, e.g.) and for study of damage which could occur inside fusion accelerators, as well as in endeavors such as describing a unified field theory of the universe (the search for a common, unifying factor among the gravitational, nuclear, and electromagnetic forces) and creating mathematical models of biological phenomena (e.g., medical drug applications).
In a typical recent year, these two of the university's 65 departments brought in 2.9M research grant dollars to the university (with Physics Department grants constituting nearly 85% of the combined total). From these grant dollars, 1.24M+ dollars, which is roughly 34% of the university's total "overhead" budget, was generated. Additionally, the Mathematics Department has the highest number of student credit hours taught by any department at the university. The Math/Physics Library exists, in part, to provide direct information access/assistance so that physics and mathematics faculty members can continue to generate this high level of financial contribution to the university's non-legislatively appropriated budget and teaching contribution to the university's educational mission.
