The American Institute for Physics (AIP) has released their survey of enrollments and degrees among physics and astronomy departments across the United States.
Based on the latest (2016) survey:
"The physics bachelor’s class of 2016 represents yet another all-time high. There were 8,432 bachelor’s degrees conferred, an increase of 4% from the previous year and a 131% increase from the recent low in 1999. First-year graduate physics student enrollments have remained at about 3,200 students for the last 5 years. The number of physics PhDs conferred in the class of 2016 represented a 2% decline from the previous year, but degree produce on has been increasing in recent years, up 67% from 12 years earlier."
Among all universities in North Carolina, Appalachian State ranked FIRST in junior+senior physics enrollments, FIRST in the number of terminal physics MS degrees awarded, and SECOND (behind only Chapel Hill) in the number of bachelors' degrees awarded in physics.
Among all 659 universities in the U.S. reporting data, Appalachian ranked 31st (top 4.7%) in junior+senior enrollments and 37th (top 5.6%) in the number of bachelors degrees awarded in physics.
Among the 56 comprehensive MS universities awarding terminal Masters' physics degrees in the US, Appalachian State tied for second in the number of MS degrees awarded and ranked fourth in the number of enrolled MS students. Appalachain was also second in junior+senior enrollments and third in the number of bachelors degrees awarded in physics.
To review the survey, visit AIP and to learn more about the department, visit the Physics and Astronomy website.
About the Department of Physics and Astronomy
The Department of Physics and Astronomy’s curriculum has an applied nature that includes a core of fundamental physics courses and laboratory experiences. It prepares graduates for a variety of scientific, teaching or engineering professions, as well as future educational endeavors.
About the College of Arts and Sciences
The College of Arts and Sciences is home to 16 academic departments, two stand-alone academic programs, two centers and one residential college. These units span the humanities and the social, mathematical and natural sciences. The College of Arts and Sciences aims to develop a distinctive identity built upon our university's strengths, traditions and unique location. Our values lie not only in service to the university and local community, but through inspiring, training, educating and sustaining the development of our students as global citizens. There are approximately 5,850 student majors in the college. As the college is also largely responsible for implementing Appalachian's general education curriculum, it is heavily involved in the education of all students at the university, including those pursuing majors in other colleges. Learn more at cas.appstate.edu.
A physics and astronomy class at Appalachian State University
A physics and astronomy class at Appalachian State University