After steadily increasing for many years, undergraduate junior and senior physics major enrollments have leveled off. It can be expected that a leveling off of the number of physics bachelor’s degrees awarded annually will follow soon.
In recent years, approximately four out of 10 physics seniors maintained senior status for more than one year. Many factors contribute to why physics students might require more than four years to obtain their undergraduate degree, including taking additional course work for a double major, changing majors, taking a leave of absence, holding employment while enrolled part time, and transferring from another institution.
Next month we will look at what people do after earning a master’s degree in physics.
Susan White is Director of the Statistical Research Center at the American Institute of Physics. If you have any questions or comments, please contact her at swhite@aip.org.