This report provides data on the size of degree-granting physics and astronomy departments by examining the number of bachelor's degrees awarded and the number of full-time equivalent (FTE) faculty members employed. The benchmarking data in this report is intended to allow physics and astronomy departments to see how they fit in the national…

Between March 20 and July 8, 2008 (the spring semester of 2008), the authors contacted each of the 763 departments in the US that award at least a bachelor's degree in physics by e-mail, mail, and certified mail. They received responses from 713 departments (93%). This report describes their findings. (Contains 3 tables and 3 figures.)

Provides summary results on a copy of the questionnaire completed by 91 physiology department chairmen. Also includes tables with data from past surveys for comparative purposes. Areas addressed include faculty, unfilled positions, training support, postdoctorates, salaries, space assigned to department (excluding lecture halls), and others. (JN)

Three separate but related topics are discussed. These include the status of analytical chemistry in academia, the decline of science education in the United States (offering possible solutions to the problem), and the future of computers in analytical chemistry. (JN)