Overview
This guide is designed to help you get started with research in physics and materials science. You'll find recommended databases, journals, reference works, and tips for searching the scholarly literature.
Key Physics & Materials Science Resources
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Journal of Materials SciencePublishes original research and reviews covering the discovery, processing, and performance of materials, including metals, polymers, ceramics, composites, and nanomaterials. It emphasizes structure–property relationships and applications across engineering and technology.
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Nature PhysicsA high-impact journal publishing significant advances across all areas of physics, emphasizing fundamental research with broad interdisciplinary interest. Articles are written for a wide physics audience and often highlight novel experimental and theoretical work.
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Physical Review XAn open access, peer-reviewed journal from the American Physical Society publishing original, high-quality research across all areas of physics. PRX emphasizes significant and innovative results that have broad implications within and beyond physics.
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arXiv.orgPreprint server for physics, mathematics, and related fields.
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NIST Materials DataU.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology materials reference data.
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NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)Provides free access to aerospace and physics-related research, including technical reports and journal articles.
First floor: Reference
Second floor: Stacks (books) and Journals and Periodicals
Find print reference materials, books, and journals in the library in these call number ranges:
QC1–QC999 – Physics (general, theoretical, applied)
QD1–QD999 – Chemistry (for materials science, analytical techniques)
TA401–TA492 – Materials of engineering and construction
TP155–TP248 – Chemical engineering and industrial chemistry (materials processing)
Library Resources
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OneSearchSearch most databases at St. Mary's as well as the SMCM and USMAI catalogs.
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Learn How to Use OneSearchNew to OneSearch? Learn how to search better with our custom research guide!
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SMCM CatalogSearch for books, DVDs, and CDs that the SMCM Library owns.
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USMAI Library CatalogFind books in the SMCM library plus the USMAI libraries. Request books from other campuses.
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My AccountLog in to renew books or check on the status of items you requested.
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ILLiad InterLibrary LoanInterLibrary Loan, request articles and borrow books NOT available through USMAI libraries.
Create an account by clicking "First Time Users" and signing up with your barcode number and last name.
Get Articles with Interlibrary Loan
Can’t find full-text access? Use ILL Services to request articles and books from other libraries.
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Getting the Full Text with FindIt! and Interlibrary Loan
Tutorial on using FindIt! to access the full text of articles and place interlibrary loan requests
Get EndNote
EndNote is a citation manager that helps you organize references and create citations. St. Mary’s students, faculty, and staff can download EndNote for free.
Download EndNote
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Google Drive EndNote DownloadAfter installing the software, you may be prompted to install an update. Faculty and staff using SMCM computers may need to use Admin By Request to complete the update.
Use EndNote Web
You can also sign up for EndNote Web, a cloud-based version of EndNote. It allows you to access your library from anywhere and sync across multiple devices. Accounts are free for two years.
Need help?
For questions about downloading or installing EndNote, contact the Office of Information Technology.
For help using EndNote, visit our EndNote Basics Research Guide.
