A PHYSICIST CAN BE defined on many bases, and so far no unique definition has been agreed upon. Yet it can probably be said with certainty that a large fraction of the physics community consists of individuals who have a bachelor's, master's or doctor's degree in physics. Most of those physics‐degree holders were undergraduate physics majors at one time or other. Therefore an analysis of those college juniors and seniors who have declared themselves physics majors should give the reader a comprehensive view of what has happened to the physics profession and where it is headed if no drastic changes occur. At the same time the analysis may suggest desirable changes or the strengthening of existing policies in the present educational structure to accomplish various goals set by the physics profession.
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March 1967
March 01 1967
Enrollment trends
Statistics show that enrollments of physics majors, measured as fractions of registered students, are dropping. Some compensation is available in declining dropout rates. But many causes of the dropouts remain, and teachers suggest several remedies to cure them.
Susanne D. Ellis
Susanne D. Ellis
American Institute of Physics
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Physics Today 20 (3), 75–79 (1967);
Citation
Susanne D. Ellis; Enrollment trends. Physics Today 1 March 1967; 20 (3): 75–79. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.3034234
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