This report describes the initial employment and educational paths pursued by physics and astronomy degree recipients at the bachelor's, master's, and PhD levels for the classes of 2002-03 and 2003-04. The report includes starting salaries, primary work activities, ratings of professional challenge and other aspects of initial employment. The…

This report is based on an annual survey of physics degree recipients conducted approximately 6 months after the end of the academic year in which they received their degrees. During the 1997-1998 academic year, there were 1,323 physics Ph.D.s conferred at the 183 departments granting physics doctorates in the United States. Departments reported…

Physics and Astronomy Degree Recipients face a variety of career and educational choices once they receive their degree. The decisions that they make are affected by a wide range of influences, such as student experiences, evolving interests, family issues, personal finances, long-term career goals, and the economic conditions they encounter. This…

The 1990s have seen change in the populations of graduate students in physics departments across the country. The Graduate Student Survey captures demographic characteristics of approximately 10,600 physics and astronomy students who were enrolled in the 1996-97 academic year. It describes the students' sources of support, areas of specialization,…

This report presents 1991-92 data on enrollment trends in graduate physics as well as the educational backgrounds of physics and astronomy students, the proportions in which they chose their research specialties, career opportunities in terms of employers, and work activities and starting salaries. Highlights from the report show the following:…

An annual study of physical science graduate students' background characteristics and degree recipients' employment outcomes was conducted for 1994. Surveys were mailed to about 13,000 graduate physics students and 6,800 were returned. Highlights include the following: (1) most U.S. citizens take an average of 6.5 years to complete a doctoral…

An annual study of physical science graduate students' background characteristics and degree recipients' employment outcomes was conducted for 1995. The total pool of 1994-95 physics graduate students was 13,285 with non-U.S. citizens making up 43 percent. Among U.S. citizens, 18 percent entered graduate school 2 or more years after earning a…