The MIT Press, a leading academic publisher known for its rigorous STEM-focused catalogue, will acquire University Science Books (USB) from AIP Publishing, the publishing division of the American Institute of Physics. The acquisition will take effect in July 2025, ahead of the Fall 2025 academic term.
Founded in 1978, University Science Books has earned distinction for publishing high-quality, intermediate to advanced-level textbooks in the physical sciences. The imprint’s catalogue spans disciplines such as chemistry, physics, and astronomy, and is widely recognized for its academic rigor and production quality. Since its acquisition by AIP Publishing in 2021, USB’s titles have maintained a strong presence in university curricula.
Among USB’s most widely adopted texts are Classical Mechanics and Introduction to Error Analysis by John Taylor, both leading choices in undergraduate mechanics instruction across North America. Also prominent is Donald McQuarrie’s Physical Chemistry: A Molecular Approach, colloquially known as “Big Red,” which is the second-most adopted physical chemistry textbook in the United States.
The MIT Press will assume responsibility for USB’s full title list as of July 1, 2025. Inventory and distribution will be managed by Penguin Random House Publishing Services, the MIT Press’s established sales and logistics partner. The acquisition is positioned as a strong alignment with the MIT Press’s publishing mission, further enhancing its offerings in foundational STEM education and complementing existing strengths in computer science, finance, and economics.
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