College of Sciences Bookshelf

A gallery of books by faculty from the College of Sciences, Old Dominion University. Faculty books are also listed under specific departments.

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Pragmatic Mathematics for Scientists and Engineers
2024
Alexander Godunov and John A. Adam

This is a textbook on basic to intermediate mathematics for undergraduate students majoring in the physical sciences and engineering. Many chapters, covering topics like Green's functions, calculus of variations, and functions of a complex variable, are well-suited for graduate classes. Additionally, researchers can benefit from the book as a mathematical refresher for their professional work.The book provides readers with a fundamental understanding of underlying principles, using derivations based more on mathematical intuition rather than exposing them to multiple theorems, proofs, and lemmas. Each chapter includes highly relevant examples with detailed solutions and explanations, promoting a practical application of knowledge to real problems in the physical sciences. For the convenience of both students and instructors, there are end-of-chapter exercises with answers that can be easily utilized for assignments. The book is not a replacement for calculus textbooks, but rather a guide to the mathematics most relevant to the physical sciences and engineering. In conclusion, this book can be readily adapted for upper-level undergraduate and graduate classes, particularly those focusing on mathematical methods for students in physical sciences, applied mathematics, and engineering majors. [From the publisher]
Relativity and Cosmology: From First Principles to Interpretations
2024
Balša Terzić

Relativity and Cosmology: From First Principles to Interpretations provides a high-quality and highly relevant astrophysics grounding for senior undergraduate students. This comprehensive textbook emphasizes an illustrative, pedagogical approach and aims to strike a balance between the breadth and depth of the material presented, frequently tying new material – relativistic mechanics and gravity – to the classical mechanics and gravity with which readers are more familiar. It includes robust content and corresponding exercises, figures, and appendices on many exciting developments, including relativistic mechanics; Newtonian classical mechanics; relativistic spacetime; special relativity; general relativity; tensor calculus; cosmology; Einstein’s field equations; dark matter; dark energy; and black holes.

This accessible edition delivers helpful and engaging additions to the role and importance of physics in cosmology and relativity. It is ideal for courses in physics, astrophysics, astronomy, and related subjects. [From the publisher]
New Frontiers in the Application of Stable Isotopes to Ecological and Ecophysiological Research
2023
Keith Alan Hobson (Editor), John P. Whiteman (Editor), and Seth Newsome (Editor)

This Research Topic aims to present cutting-edge applications of stable isotope methods to animal and plant ecology and ecophysiology.
Parasitic Plants in African Agriculture
2023
Lytton John Musselman and Jonne Rodenburg

Parasitic Plants in African Agriculture brings together for the first time in a single volume, the ecology, biology, damage, and control of all groups of African parasitic plants including both the relatively few parasites introduced to the continent as well as those native parasites that have spread from within Africa. The book covers the well-known witchweeds and broomrapes but also groups and species that have received less attention including mistletoes, dodders, rice vampire weed, and other species posing threats. [From the publisher]
Understanding Quantum Science: A Concise Primer for Students of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Physics
2023
Steven M. Pascal

Students are naturally drawn to quantum science by the intriguing behaviors of small particles. However, they can also be intimidated by the lengthy and complicated treatment found in the classroom. Understanding Quantum Science: A Concise Primer for Students of Chemistry, Biochemistry, and Physics is a highly accessible book that offers students an opportunity to grasp the most fascinating of quantum topics, without the intimidation. To be sure, math is necessary, but it is introduced as needed and kept concise. The emphasis is on the science: a certain differential equation can be solved, and when it is, we find the energies that hydrogen atom electrons are allowed to have. Each concept is developed in this manner, keeping focus on how and why it arises, and on the intriguing consequences.

This book provides a brief tour of some of the wonders of quantum science. But it is more than that, it is designed to be the most concise tour possible that truly explains how these wonders arise so that you can develop a working understanding of quantum concepts. If your goal is loftier and you wish to become a quantum specialist, the conceptual groundwork presented here, along with rationalization of the mathematics required, will position you well for higher level classes. [From the publisher]
Solomon Described Plants: A Botanical Guide to Plant Life in the Bible
2022
Lytton John Musselman

This is a treatment of the plants mentioned in the Old and New Testaments, their uses, ecology, history, beauty, and symbolism. The book includes more than three hundred original photographs by the author from field and ethnobotanical studies over the past four decades. Special attention has been paid to plants that have been misunderstood in previous treatments. Recent advances in analytical techniques in archaeobotany, including sophisticated chemical and genomic methods, have helped elucidate the identity of problematic Bible plants. Also included is a review of recent literature on the plants. The volume will be an invaluable resource to students of the Bible, theologians, botanists, and translators. [Amazon.com]
The Mathematics of Patterns, Symmetries, and Beauties in Nature: In Honor of John Adam
2021
Bourama Toni (Editor) and John Adam (Honoree)

This unique book gathers various scientific and mathematical approaches to and descriptions of the natural and physical world stemming from a broad range of mathematical areas – from model systems, differential equations, statistics, and probability – all of which scientifically and mathematically reveal the inherent beauty of natural and physical phenomena. Topics include Archimedean and Non-Archimedean approaches to mathematical modeling; thermography model with application to tungiasis inflammation of the skin; modeling of a tick-Killing Robot; various aspects of the mathematics for Covid-19, from simulation of social distancing scenarios to the evolution dynamics of the coronavirus in some given tropical country to the spatiotemporal modeling of the progression of the pandemic. Given its scope and approach, the book will benefit researchers and students of mathematics, the sciences and engineering, and everyone else with an appreciation for the beauty of nature. The outcome is a mathematical enrichment of nature’s beauty in its various manifestations.

This volume honors Dr. John Adam, a Professor at Old Dominion University, USA, for his lifetime achievements in the fields of mathematical modeling and applied mathematics. Dr. Adam has published over 110 papers and authored several books. [From the publisher]
Function Theory and ℓ^p Spaces
2020
Raymond Cheng

The classical ℓp sequence spaces have been a mainstay in Banach spaces. This book reviews some of the foundational results in this area (the basic inequalities, duality, convexity, geometry) as well as connects them to the function theory (boundary growth conditions, zero sets, extremal functions, multipliers, operator theory) of the associated spaces ℓpA of analytic functions whose Taylor coefficients belong to ℓp. Relations between the Banach space ℓp and its associated function space are uncovered using tools from Banach space geometry, including Birkhoff-James orthogonality and the resulting Pythagorean inequalities. The authors survey the literature on all of this material, including a discussion of the multipliers of ℓpA and a discussion of the Wiener algebra ℓ1A.

Except for some basic measure theory, functional analysis, and complex analysis, which the reader is expected to know, the material in this book is self-contained and detailed proofs of nearly all the results are given. Each chapter concludes with some end notes that give proper references, historical background, and avenues for further exploration.
Wildflowers of the Adirondacks
2020
Donald J. Leopold and Lytton John Musselman

The definitive field guide to the magnificent wildflowers of the Adirondacks. Covering more than six million acres of protected wilderness, the Adirondacks, with their landscape of high peaks, verdant wetlands, majestic trees, and lush carpets of flowers, is a pristine paradise for nature lovers.

The only available identification guide to the Adirondack region's wildflowers, this comprehensive resource is packed with more than 300 gorgeous color images, one to represent almost every flower commonly found in this huge range. Revealing the stunning diversity of Adirondack wildflowers, from goldenrod and marsh blue violet to cattails and hellebore … [From the publisher]
An Introduction to Numerical Methods for the Physical Sciences
2020
Colm T. Whelan

There is only a very limited number of physical systems that can be exactly described in terms of simple analytic functions. There are, however, a vast range of problems which are amenable to a computational approach. This book provides a concise, self-contained introduction to the basic numerical and analytic techniques, which form the foundations of the algorithms commonly employed to give a quantitative description of systems of genuine physical interest. The methods developed are applied to representative problems from classical and quantum physics. [Amazon.com]
Linear Algebra: Concepts and Applications
2019
Przemyslaw Bogacki

Linear Algebra: Concepts and Applications is designed to be used in a first linear algebra course taken by mathematics and science majors. It provides a complete coverage of core linear algebra topics, including vectors and matrices, systems of linear equations, general vector spaces, linear transformations, eigenvalues, and eigenvectors. All results are carefully, clearly, and rigorously proven. The exposition is very accessible. The applications of linear algebra are extensive and substantial several of those recur throughout the text in different contexts, including many that elucidate concepts from multivariable calculus. Unusual features of the text include a pervasive emphasis on the geometric interpretation and viewpoint as well as a very complete treatment of the singular value decomposition. The book includes over 800 exercises and numerous references to the author's custom software Linear Algebra Toolkit. [Amazon.com]
Modern Statistical Methods for Spatial and Multivariate Data
2019
Norou Diawara (Editor)

This contributed volume features invited papers on current models and statistical methods for spatial and multivariate data. With a focus on recent advances in statistics, topics include spatio-temporal aspects, classification techniques, the multivariate outcomes with zero and doubly-inflated data, discrete choice modelling, copula distributions, and feasible algorithmic solutions. Special emphasis is placed on applications such as the use of spatial and spatio-temporal models for rainfall in South Carolina and the multivariate sparse areal mixed model for the Census dataset for the state of Iowa. Articles use simulated and aggregated data examples to show the flexibility and wide applications of proposed techniques. Carefully peer-reviewed and pedagogically presented for a broad readership, this volume is suitable for graduate and postdoctoral students interested in interdisciplinary research. Researchers in applied statistics and sciences will find this book an important resource on the latest developments in the field. In keeping with the STEAM-H series, the editors hope to inspire interdisciplinary understanding and collaboration. [Amazon.com]
Psychopathology: Foundations for a Contemporary Understanding
2019
James E. Maddux (Editor) and Barbara A. Winstead (Editor)

Psychopathology, Fifth Edition is the most up-to-date text about the etiology and treatment of the most important psychological disorders.

The chapters are written by leading experts in the field of psychopathology who provide up-to-date information on theory, research, and clinical practice. The book is unique in its strong emphasis on critical thinking about psychopathology as represented by chapters on such topics as culture, race, gender, class, clinical judgment and decision-making, and alternatives to traditional categorical approaches to understanding psychopathology. The contributors have incorporated information about and from the World Health Organization’s International Classification of Diseases along with information about and from the DSM-5.

As with the previous editions, this book remains a true textbook in psychopathology. Unlike the many weighty volumes that are intended as reference books, Psychopathology, Fifth Edition has been designed specifically to serve as a textbook on psychopathology for graduate students in clinical and counseling psychology programs and related programs such as social work. It will also serve as an extremely useful reference source for practitioners and researchers. [Amazon.com]
Ruthenium Complexes: Photochemical and Biomedical Applications
2018
Alvin A. Holder (Editor), Lothar Lilge (Editor), Wesley R. Browne (Editor), Mark A. W. Lawrence (Editor), and Jimmie L. Bullock (Editor)

Edited by a team of highly respected researchers combining their expertise in chemistry, physics, and medicine, this book focuses on the use of ruthenium-containing complexes in artificial photosynthesis and medicine. Following a brief introduction to the basic coordination chemistry of ruthenium-containing complexes and their synthesis, as well as their photophysical and photochemical properties, the authors discuss in detail the major concepts of artificial photosynthesis and mechanisms of hydrogen production and water oxidation with ruthenium. The second part of the text covers biological properties and important medical applications of ruthenium-containing complexes as therapeutic agents or in diagnostic imaging. Aimed at stimulating research in this active field, this is an invaluable information source for researchers in academia, health research institutes, and governmental departments working in the field of organometallic chemistry, green and sustainable chemistry as well as medicine/drug discovery, while equally serving as a useful reference also for scientists in industry. [From the back cover]
Atomic Structure
2018
Colm T. Whelan

A knowledge of atomic theory should be an essential part of every physicist's and chemist's toolkit. This book provides an introduction to the basic ideas that govern our understanding of microscopic matter, and the essential features of atomic structure and spectra are presented in a direct and easily accessible manner. Semi-classical ideas are reviewed and an introduction to the quantum mechanics of one and two electron systems and their interaction with external electromagnetic fields is featured. Multielectron atoms are also introduced, and the key methods for calculating their properties reviewed. [From Amazon.com]
Rays, Waves, and Scattering: Topics in Classical Mathematical Physics
2017
John A. Adam

This one-of-a-kind book presents many of the mathematical concepts, structures, and techniques used in the study of rays, waves, and scattering. Panoramic in scope, it includes discussions of how ocean waves are refracted around islands and underwater ridges, how seismic waves are refracted in the earth's interior, how atmospheric waves are scattered by mountains and ridges, how the scattering of light waves produces the blue sky, and meteorological phenomena such as rainbows and coronas.

Rays, Waves, and Scattering is a valuable resource for practitioners, graduate students, and advanced undergraduates in applied mathematics, theoretical physics, and engineering. Bridging the gap between advanced treatments of the subject written for specialists and less mathematical books aimed at beginners, this unique mathematical compendium features problems and exercises throughout that are geared to various levels of sophistication, covering everything from Ptolemy's theorem to Airy integrals (as well as more technical material), and several informative appendixes. ... [Amazon.com
A First Course in Mathematical Physics
2016
Colm T. Whelan

The book assumes next to no prior knowledge of the topic. The first part introduces the core mathematics, always in conjunction with the physical context. In the second part of the book, a series of examples showcases some of the more conceptually advanced areas of physics, the presentation of which draws on the developments in the first part. A large number of problems helps students to hone their skills in using the presented mathematical methods. Solutions to the problems are available to instructors on an associated password-protected website for lecturers. [From Amazon.com]
The Cambridge Handbook of Applied Perception Research
2015
Robert R. Hoffman (Editor), Peter A. Hancock (Editor), Mark W. Scerbo (Editor), Raja Parasuraman (Editor), and James L. Szalma (Editor)

The Cambridge Handbook of Applied Perception Research covers core areas of research in perception with an emphasis on its application to real-world environments. Topics include multisensory processing of information, time perception, sustained attention, and signal detection, as well as pedagogical issues surrounding the training of applied perception researchers. In addition to familiar topics, such as perceptual learning, the Handbook focuses on emerging areas of importance, such as human-robot coordination, haptic interfaces, and issues facing societies in the twenty-first century (such as terrorism and threat detection, medical errors, and the broader implications of automation). Organized into sections representing major areas of theoretical and practical importance for the application of perception psychology to human performance and the design and operation of human-technology interdependence, it also addresses the challenges to basic research, including the problem of quantifying information, defining cognitive resources, and theoretical advances in the nature of attention and perceptual processes. [From the publisher]
Gender in Organizations: Are Men Allies or Adversaries to Women's Career Advancement?
2014
Richard J. Burke (Editor) and Debra A. Major (Editor)

Diversifying the workforce is becoming increasingly important, with gender equality being a central feature of overall equality. Men seem to be part of the problem and a necessary part of the solution. This collection ties these themes together in the context of talent management and organizational effectiveness. Talented women continue to have difficulty advancing their careers in organizations word wide. Organizations and their cultures were created by men, for men and reflect the wider patriarchal society. As a consequence, some women are disadvantaged and face barriers to advancement. Burke and Major present an examination of men, masculinity and gendered organizational cultures to get both a better understanding of why women have made such slow progress and ways in which men can become allies and champions of women, supporting their advancement and workplace equality. [Amazon.com]
Handbook of Work–Life Integration Among Professionals: Challenges and Opportunities
2014
Debra A. Major (Editor) and Ronald Burke

How work and family lives can be effectively managed has been a hot topic of public debate in recent years. This Handbook integrates current thinking and research evidence regarding how professionals navigate multiple life roles to achieve satisfaction and fulfillment. Drawing on the expertise of top work-life scholars, the book offers a comprehensive treatment of the challenges and benefits encountered in work-life integration. The topic is approached from multiple angles, including how technology, family structure over the lifespan, work organizations' cultures and policies, and national culture influence the way professionals manage their roles across the work and family domains.

This innovative volume confronts the similarities and differences in women's and men's work-life experiences. Individual and organizational solutions to work-family conflict and strategies for work-life enrichment are explored. It will strongly appeal to students, scholars and professionals in human resource management courses. [Amazon.com]
Biochalcogen Chemistry: The Biological Chemistry of Sulfur, Selenium, and Tellurium
2013
Craig A. Bayse (Editor) and Julia L. Brumaghim

Biochalcogen Chemistry: The Biological Chemistry of Sulfur, Selenium, and Tellurium highlights the biological uses of heavy chalcogens as a key area of focus in bioinorganic chemistry and a unifying theme for research in a wide variety of disciplines. Recent achievements in these multidisciplinary efforts are presented that discuss the subtle, yet important roles of biochalcogens in living systems as sulfur- and selenium-containing metabolic intermediates and products (Chapters 1 and 10) and in their oxidation when coordinated to metals (Chapters 3 and 4). Chemical and instrumental tools for detecting sulfur and selenium species and their functionalities are also discussed (Chapters 2 and 6), as are new directions in biochalcogen applications to redox scavenging, both in terms of synthesis (Chapters 7 and 8) and mechanistic modeling (Chapter 9). Tellurium, with no natural biological function, is represented together with sulfur and selenium as a phasing agent in nucleic acid crystallography and for other biological studies (Chapter 5)… [From Amazon.com]
Parasitic Orobanchaceae: Parasitic Mechanisms and Control Strategies
2013
Daniel M. Joel, Jonathan Gressel, and Lytton John Musselman (Editors)

This book was written in response to significant recent advances in understanding the mechanisms of parasitism in the Orobanchaceae, and breakthroughs in the control of the parasitic weeds Striga and Orobanche. It consists of 26 contributions by internationally recognized leading scientists… [From Amazon.com]
A Step-by-Step Introduction to Statistics for Business and Economics
2013
Richard N. Lander

The essential introduction to statistics for business students, this book will equip you with the knowledge and skills required to succeed in your studies and use statistics in your workplace.

In a clear and engaging way, Richard Landers guides the reader through the vital role statistics play in the business decision-making process and carefully explains and demonstrates how they are applied in practice. The book covers everything from collecting data to summarizing your findings and presenting them. It also revisits all the basic math skills required to work with data and statistics effectively, with step-by-step screenshot illustrations in both Excel and IBM SPSS… [From Amazon.com]
The Quick Guide to Wild Edible Plants Easy to Pick, Easy to Prepare
2013
Lytton John Musselman and Harold J. Wiggins

A recent rise in the popularity of urban farming, farmers’ markets, and foraging from nature means more people are looking for information about plants. In The Quick Guide to Wild Edible Plants, botanists Lytton John Musselman and Harold J. Wiggins coach you on how to safely identify, gather, and prepare delicious dishes from readily available plants―and clearly indicate which ones to avoid.

More than 200 color illustrations, accompanied by detailed descriptions, will help you recognize edible plants such as nettles, daylilies, panic grass, and tearthumbs. For decades, Musselman and Wiggins have taught courses on how to prepare local plants, and their field-to-table recipes require only a few easily found ingredients. They offer instructions for making garlic powder out of field garlic and turning acorns into flour for Rappahannock Acorn Cakes. To toast your new skill, they even include recipes for cordials. [From Amazon.com]
Fragmentation Processes Topics in Atomic and Molecular Physics
2013
Colm T. Whelan (Editor)

Revolutionary advances in experimental techniques and spectacular increases in computer power over recent years have enabled researchers to develop a much more profound understanding of the atomic few-body problem. One area of intense focus has been the study of fragmentation processes. Covering the latest research in the field, this edited text is the first to provide a focused and systematic treatment of fragmentation processes, bringing together contributions from a range of leading experts. As well as tackling the more established electron-impact ionization processes, (e,2e), this book also guides the reader through topics such as molecular fragmentation, ion-atom collisions and multi-photon processes. Combining a broad range of topics with an equal mix of theoretical and experimental discussion, this is an invaluable text for graduate students and researchers in atomic collisions, laser physics and chemistry. [From Amazon.com]