Purpose
The collection supports present and anticipated teaching and research in the field of Chemistry and its sub-disciplines. At present, the central focus of the Department and the chief interests of the faculty are encompassed in the following areas of teaching and research: mass spectrometry; nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy; the development of nanotechnology; chemistry of environmental systems; molecular bonding; solid state chemistry; surface science; organic chemistry; inorganic chemistry; supramolecular chemistry; analytical chemistry; physical chemistry; chemistry of biological molecules; crystallography; computational approaches to intermolecular interactions; and the use of probabilistic theory applied to data analysis.

The Department offers the following degrees: B.S., B.A., M.S., and Ph.D., plus a minor in Chemistry at the undergraduate level. At the Ph.D. level, students choose from concentrations in analytical, physical, organic, or inorganic chemistry.

The Department is affiliated with the Advanced Materials Research Institute (AMRI), a multidisciplinary laboratory where students and faculty can collaborate with industry and government researchers.

In addition to the support for the specific degree programs of the Chemistry Department, the collection also serves as a resource for undergraduate and graduate students and faculty in other disciplines. Related colleges, programs, and departments covering subjects of interest to chemistry include Geology, Geophysics, Physics, Mathematics, and Biological Sciences. The Education Department also offers an M.A. in Science Teaching which can focus on chemistry.

Languages
The primary language of acquisition is English. Materials in European languages will be considered.

Chronological Guidelines
Very current developments are vital to the research conducted in the Chemistry Department. Subject matter should not be more than five years old.

Geographical Guidelines
All geographic regions are acceptable for acquisition.

Treatment of Subject
Material is collected in the following areas: practice and methods of applied chemistry, including mass spectrometry (emphasis on its use with biomolecules such as peptides and proteins, and organometallics, synthetic polymers, and environmental pollutants), crystallography, and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy; chemistry of heterocyclic compounds particularly of a biologic nature; nanoscience (emphasis on development for use in semi-conductors, drug delivery systems, and use for analyzing biological entities); chemistry of environmental systems (emphasis on reactivity at environmental interfaces, photochemical transformations, and free radical oxidation); surface science; design and synthesis of nonmolecular materials; computational approaches to intermolecular interactions; chemical synthesis using chiral scaffolds and cyclic peptides; theoretical works on chemical analysis; statistical or mathematical methods, and analytical methods. Upper-level textbooks may be acquired on a highly selective basis. Undergraduate textbooks are not acquired.

Types of Materials
Serial publications form the basis of the collection and are most important to the department. Abstracts and indexes covering chemistry and handbooks are required and actively acquired. Reference materials, such as dictionaries, encyclopedias, and bibliographies are acquired. Major sets and collections of material which significantly supplement existing resources are acquired. Laboratory materials and manuals are not acquired. Publications and proceedings of national and international chemistry organizations, societies, and congresses are acquired on a selective basis. Theses and dissertations from other institutions are acquired on a highly selective basis. Publications of U.S. government agencies are acquired through the U.S. Federal Depository Program. Publications of state government agencies are acquired on a highly selective basis.

Types of Materials
Emphasis is on material published within the past five years. Current materials are most important. Retrospective materials may be selectively acquired as funds permit.

Other Resources
The Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center Library in New Orleans is open to the public and holds many journals pertinent to the research interests of UNO faculty and graduate students in the Chemistry Department. Materials may be used at the LSU Health Sciences Center Library, or are available through interlibrary loan.

Related Policy Statements
Additional information related to chemistry can be found in the following policy statements: