The MIT Press reveals the purchase of textbook publisher University Science Books from AIP Publishing, a division of the American Institute of Physics (AIP).
Founded in 1978, University Science Books aimed to publish intermediate and advanced-level scientific and reference works by acclaimed authors, produced with the utmost design and production excellence, and offered at the most accessible prices possible. Over the years, USB’s writers have garnered international acclaim, and its textbooks in chemistry, physics, and astronomy have been acknowledged as the gold benchmark in their respective fields. In 2021, AIP Publishing acquired USB.
Top sellers include John Taylor’s “Classical Mechanics,” the leading adopted textbook for undergraduate mechanics classes in the United States and Canada, alongside his “Introduction to Error Analysis;” and Don McQuarrie’s “Physical Chemistry: A Molecular Approach” (popularly referred to as “Big Red”), recognized as the second-most adopted physical chemistry textbook in the U.S.
“We are thrilled to have discovered a new home for USB’s esteemed catalog of science textbooks,” states Alix Vance, CEO of AIP Publishing. “With its robust STEM emphasis, academic integrity, and high production quality, the MIT Press stands as the ideal partner to carry on the publishing tradition of University Science Books.”
“This acquisition represents both a brand alignment and content compatibility for the MIT Press,” asserts Amy Brand, director and publisher of the MIT Press. “USB’s esteemed science catalog will enhance our well-established publishing history of foundational texts in computer science, finance, and economics.”
The MIT Press will assume control of the USB catalog starting July 1, with inventory being transferred to Penguin Random House Publishing Services, the MIT Press’ sales and distribution collaborator.
For information related to University Science Books titles, inventory, and ordering processes, please reach out to the MIT Press.
Founded in 1962, The MIT Press is among the largest and most esteemed university presses globally and is a premier publisher of books and journals at the convergence of science, technology, art, social scientific studies, and design.
AIP Publishing is a fully owned non-profit subsidiary of the AIP and furthers the charitable, scientific, and educational missions of AIP through scholarly publishing efforts on its behalf and in collaboration with our publishing partners.