History of the collection
The Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences, so named in 1992, is an outgrowth of over 150 years of meteoroloy and oceanographic research at McGill. The Schulich Library of Science and Engineering amalgamated the departmental library collection in the 1980s and has continued to maintain and update the collection in order to reflect the changing needs of the department.
While every effort is made to reflect the current research interests of the department, gaps may develop which need attention, and suggestions to address them are welcome.
Subject scope and current collection development
The department offers undergraduate and graduate programs (M.Sc., PhD.) as well as a one year Diploma in Meteorology to B.Sc. graduates. The department is also part of the Earth System Science interdepartmental program.
The Walter Hitschfeld Geographic Information Centre collects maps of all kinds, including climate maps.
General collection guidelines
Languages
English is preferred. Works published in a language other than English will be acquired if the author or the content is of sufficient importance.
Chronological coverage
Current monographic titles are purchased. The collection provides comprehensive coverage of older materials thanks to the age of the collection and the department at McGill.
Geographical coverage
No restriction.
Areas of research in Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences
- Chemical oceanography
- Physical Oceanography
- Ocean temperatures
- Dynamics of the ocean
Waves, currents, tides - Polar oceans
- Marine pollution
- Meteorology
Atmospheric chemistry, dynamic and synoptic meteorology, paleoclimatology, rain and rainfall, temperature and radiation - Geophysical fluid dynamics
- Weather modification
Cloud physics, ice physics - Cilmatology
Wind, radio meteorology, microwave meteorology - Weather forecasting
Radar meteorology, precipitation physics - Natural disasters
Collection levels
Definition of the collection levels employed by McGill University Library
| LC Classification | Subjects | Collection Intensity |
|---|---|---|
| GC1 - GC1581 | Oceanography | 4 |
| GC109 - GC149 | Chemical oceanography, marine geochemistry | 4 |
| GC150 - GC190 | Physical oceanography | 4 |
| GC160 - GC177 | Temperatures | 4 |
| GC200 - GC375 | Dynamics of the ocean | 4 |
| GC377 - GC399 | Marine sediments | 4 |
| GC1080 - GC1581 | Marine pollution | 4 |
| QC851 - QC999 | Meteorology, Climatology | 4 |
| QC926.6 - QC928.74 | Weather modification | 4 |
| QC930.5 - QC959.74 | Wind | 4 |
| QC994.95 - QC999 | Weather forecasting | 4 |
Policy last updated in 2008