In 2009 and 2010, US astronomy education saw new highs, including enrollment in introductory courses, numbers of graduate students, and numbers of bachelor’s degrees conferred. That’s according to a new report by the Statistical Research Center of the American Institute of Physics. A separate new report by the SRC looks at initial employment of astronomy degree recipients.
In 2010, 382 astronomy bachelor’s degrees were conferred, with 36% going to women. The same year, 156 astronomy doctorates were awarded—nearly double the number awarded 30 years ago. The proportion earned by women climbed from 12% to 34% in that time. In 2010, 67% of astronomy doctorates went to US citizens, compared with 47% in physics.
From the combined 2007–09 classes, 48% of astronomy bachelors found employment in the months following graduation, and 45% pursued graduate degrees. Among those in the workforce, 46% were in the private sector; those in STEM (science, technology,...
