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SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING DEGREES. 92 S&E PH.D. DEGREES: ACADEMIC FIELD During the past three decades, significant shifts have occurred in the proportion of Ph.D. degrees awarded among fields of study in science and engineering. During the 1960s, they increased in all broad fields, yet the field share shifted because of the relatively larger growth in engineering. In the 1970s, Ph.D. degrees in the social and behavioral, and life sciences continued to grow, while those in the physical sciences and engineering declined. In the 1980s, engineering Ph.D. production showed a relative resurgence. Figure 2-94: Ph.D. Degrees Awarded in S&E by Field of Study Figure 2-95: Distribution of Ph.D. Degrees Awarded in S&E by Field of Study NOTE: Data series within the figures are not overlapped; top line represents total. DEFINITION OF TERMS: Physical sciences include astronomy, chemistry, and physics. Engineering includes aeronautical and astronautical, chemical, civil, electrical, and mechanical engineering. Environmental sciences include oceanography, atmospheric, and earth sciences. Mathematics/Computer science include all fields of mathematics and computer-related sciences. Social/Other science include economics, political science, psychology, and sociology. Life sciences include agricultural, biological, medical, and other health sciences. S&E Ph.D.s include all those awarded from any academic institution. SOURCE: National Science Foundation, Division of Policy Research and Analysis. Database: CASPAR. Some of the data within this database are estimates, incorporated where there are discontinuities within data series or gaps in data collection. Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, Higher Education General Information Survey (HEGIS): Degrees and Other Formal Awards Conferred.
