The trend data detailed in this "Focus On" includes doctorates from the class of 2019. It presents data on the number of physics PhDs awarded in the U.S. including data on citizenship, women, and PhDs from underrepresented groups. It also includes data on educational background, time to degree, subfield of dissertation, and general…

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…

The number of physics degrees earned in the U.S. continues to rise, with bachelor's and PhDs yet again reaching all-time highs. The 6,776 physics bachelor's degrees awarded in the 2011-2012 academic year represent an 8% increase over the previous year and an 86% increase from a recent low in 1999. Similarly, the number of PhDs (1,762) in…

The article sets out to explore how Ph.D. programme leaders in South Africa view the purpose of the Ph.D., and how their views shape their responses to recent policies with regard to the Ph.D. It refers in particular to the vision of the Department of Science and Technology for a five-fold increase in the number of Ph.D. graduates by 2018, and to…

The Statistical Research Center of the American Institute of Physics conducts an annual census from October through February of all departments that offer degrees in astronomy (78) in the United States. Astronomy departments consist of stand-alone degree-granting departments (39) and departments that are administered along with a physics program…

The Statistical Research Center of the American Institute of Physics conducts an annual census from October through February of all 75 departments that offer degrees in astronomy in the United States. For the class of 2008, the authors received responses from 73 (97%) of these departments. Estimates were derived and included in the totals for…

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.)

The Statistical Research Center of the American Institute of Physics conducts an annual census from October through February of all 75 departments that offer degrees in astronomy in the United States. For the class of 2007, the authors received responses from 73 (97%) of these departments. Estimates were derived and included in the totals for…

Describes how the Career Management Series was conceived and developed at the Center for Particle Astrophysics at the University of California at Berkeley, demystifying the job search, differentiating between process and skills, and looking at both the academic and nonacademic track. Describes how this model was then successfully adapted to the…

Describes valuable aspects for the author of a career management workshop which emphasized a broad career horizon that included nonacademic career opportunities. Discusses her own and other people's pursuit of work and career to emphasize that it is both possible and urgent for people in English departments to change how they think about future…

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)

Discusses the history of the participation of women in science, particularly physics, and the reasons for the differences between men and women. Discrimination, although difficult to document, is considered in the article. (SA)

The 1973 study by the Women Chemists Committee is updated for the 1974-75 academic year. Only professors, associate professors, and assistant professors are included, since lecturers, instructors, and others are not considered full-time appointees or permanent positions. Unfortunately, in following the fate of young women Ph.D.'s, it seems that…

Tenure practices in science and engineering (S/E) departments in universities and 4-year colleges with tenure systems were estimated, based on a 1978-79 survey of member institutions of the Higher Education Panel of the American Council on Education. The survey findings were designed to help assess the effect of the tenure system on the number of…

Examines the role of the individual graduate department in influencing Ph.D. output levels by comparing the annual Ph.D. output of physics departments for 1968-73. Findings indicate that enrollment levels, prestige of the department, and funding to the department all contribute to Ph.D. output. (Author/DB)