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Minority Access to Research Careers: An Evaluation of the Honors Undergraduate Research Training Program (1985)

Chapter: Appendix C: Survey of Undergraduate Science Majors: Cover Letters and Questionnaire

« Previous: Appendix B: Letter to Program Directors and Discussion Topics for MARC Visits
Suggested Citation:"Appendix C: Survey of Undergraduate Science Majors: Cover Letters and Questionnaire." Institute of Medicine. 1985. Minority Access to Research Careers: An Evaluation of the Honors Undergraduate Research Training Program. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/18471.
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Page 78
Suggested Citation:"Appendix C: Survey of Undergraduate Science Majors: Cover Letters and Questionnaire." Institute of Medicine. 1985. Minority Access to Research Careers: An Evaluation of the Honors Undergraduate Research Training Program. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/18471.
×
Page 79
Suggested Citation:"Appendix C: Survey of Undergraduate Science Majors: Cover Letters and Questionnaire." Institute of Medicine. 1985. Minority Access to Research Careers: An Evaluation of the Honors Undergraduate Research Training Program. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/18471.
×
Page 80
Suggested Citation:"Appendix C: Survey of Undergraduate Science Majors: Cover Letters and Questionnaire." Institute of Medicine. 1985. Minority Access to Research Careers: An Evaluation of the Honors Undergraduate Research Training Program. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/18471.
×
Page 81
Suggested Citation:"Appendix C: Survey of Undergraduate Science Majors: Cover Letters and Questionnaire." Institute of Medicine. 1985. Minority Access to Research Careers: An Evaluation of the Honors Undergraduate Research Training Program. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/18471.
×
Page 82
Suggested Citation:"Appendix C: Survey of Undergraduate Science Majors: Cover Letters and Questionnaire." Institute of Medicine. 1985. Minority Access to Research Careers: An Evaluation of the Honors Undergraduate Research Training Program. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/18471.
×
Page 83
Suggested Citation:"Appendix C: Survey of Undergraduate Science Majors: Cover Letters and Questionnaire." Institute of Medicine. 1985. Minority Access to Research Careers: An Evaluation of the Honors Undergraduate Research Training Program. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/18471.
×
Page 84
Suggested Citation:"Appendix C: Survey of Undergraduate Science Majors: Cover Letters and Questionnaire." Institute of Medicine. 1985. Minority Access to Research Careers: An Evaluation of the Honors Undergraduate Research Training Program. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/18471.
×
Page 85
Suggested Citation:"Appendix C: Survey of Undergraduate Science Majors: Cover Letters and Questionnaire." Institute of Medicine. 1985. Minority Access to Research Careers: An Evaluation of the Honors Undergraduate Research Training Program. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/18471.
×
Page 86

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78 APPENDIX C Cover Letters and Questionnaire-- Survey of Undergraduate Science Majors

79 NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES 2101 CONSTITUTION AVENUE WASHINGTON, D. C. 20418 INSTITUTE OF MEDICINE COMMITTEE ON NATIONAL NEEDS FOR BIOMEDICAL AND BEHAVIORAL RESEARCH PERSONNEL (202) 334•3186 November 12, 1984 Dear Graduate: The National Academy of Sciences, an independent, nonprofit organization, is conducting a study of undergraduate science majors. This is part of a larger study of the training of biomedical and behavioral scientists being done at the request of the U.S. Congress and the National Institutes of Health. We need to learn about the education and work experiences of undergraduates who majored in science. You have been selected to be in our sample and we are asking you to help us by filling out the enclosed questionnaire and returning it to us in the postage-paid envelope. The information you give us will be used in formulating our recommendations on science programs. Please fill out the questionnaire even if you changed majors and had a nonscience major when you graduated. Although vital to our work, your participation is strictly voluntary. The questionnaire should take no more than a few minutes to complete. The questions are straightforward and concern your educational experiences and work history. All of the information you provide will be treated as confidential and safeguarded in accordance with the Privacy Act of l974. Your individual answers will not be presented in our report; only averages and other summary measures will be used. If you have any comments or wish to clarify an answer, please do so in the margin of the questionnaire. There is room at the end of the questionnaire for longer comments on the issues raised in the questionnaire or for remarks about your science training in general. Thank you very much for your cooperation. Your participation will assist us in making our recommendations to Congress and the National Institutes of Health. If you have any questions about this survey, please call Dr. Howard Garrison (collect). His telephone number is (202) 334-3186. Thank you again, Robert L. Hill, Ph.D. Chairman, Committee on National Needs for Biomedical and Behavioral Research Personnel Enc.

NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES 2101 CONSTITUTION AVENUE WASHINGTON, D. C. 20418 INSTITUTE OF MEDICINE COMMITTEE ON NATIONAL NEEDS FOR BIOMEDICAL AND BEHAVIORAL RESEARCH PERSONNEL (202) 334-3186 January 8, 1985 Dear Graduate: Several weeks ago we sent you a questionnaire as part of our study of undergraduate science majors. As of this date we have not received your completed questionnaire. Your answers are essential to us. Our goal is to provide Congress and the National Institutes of Health with accurate and representative information on the training and career progress of science students. In order to do this, we need information from everyone in our survey population. We have enclosed a second copy of our questionnaire in the event. that the first copy was lost or misplaced. Most of the Questions require that you simply check a box; the entire questionnaire will probably take no more than a few minutes to complete. As I indicated in my earlier letter, your answers will be kept confidential. If you have any questions, call me collect at (?02) 334-3186. Please complete the questionnaire and return it in the enclosed envelope. If your answers are already in the mail, please accept our thanks and ignore the second questionnaire. Sincerely yours, Howard Garrison, Ph.D. Project Director

81 OMB No. 002&0237 Approval wcpIrM 12/85 National Academy of Sciences Survey of Undergraduate Majors If your name or address Is Incorrect, please enter correct Information below. r !_ n j As the accompanying letter explained, we am conducting a study of the educational and career experiences of students who were science majors as undergraduates. Your complete and candid answers to*U aunwy questions wilt bs greatly appreciated. Our report will contain only averages and other aggregate measures. A Degree and Employment Specialty Ust Is provided at the end of the booklet to help you answer several questions. Please comment on any question that you feel requires fuller explanation In the space provided at the end of the questionnaire. Thank you for your cooperation. 1. When were you bom? J 6. During the week of November 12,1984 were you enrolled as a student? 1. D no. Please skip to Question 7. 2. D yes. Please continue 6a. What type of program were you enrolled In? (check one) 1. D Nondegree 2. D Bachelor's degree 3. D Master's degree 4. D Research doctorate (Ph.D.) 5. D Clinical doctorate (M.D., O.D., D.D.S., D.V.M., etc.) 6. D Other professional degree (L.L.B., J.D.,etc.) 6b. From the Degree and Employment Specialty List on page 6, select and enter both the specialty name (major) and number most closely related to your educational program. I (name of specialty) (number) (month) (year) 2. Are you a U.S. citizen? 1. D no 2. D yes 3. What Is your sex? 1. D Male 2. D Female 4. What Is your racial background? 1. D American Indian or Alaskan Native 2. D Asian or Pacific Islander 3. D Black 4. D White 5. Is your ethnic heritage Hispanic? 1. D no 2. D yea 7. In the table below, Net In chronological order all of the degrees that you have earned (beginning with your under- graduate degree). Please use the Degree and Employment Specialty Ust on page 6 for major field and number. TYPE OF DEGREE MO/YR GRANTED SCHOOL NAME CITY (OR CAMPUS) MAJOR FIELD NAME/NUMBER

82 10. Was this Job you held during the week of November 12,1984 a science or engineering related position? 1. D yes (Skip toO. 11) 2. D no 10a. If no, what was the most important reason for taking the position? (check one) 1. D Prefer nonscience or nonengineering 2. D Promoted out of science or engineering position 3. D Pay is better 4. D Locational preference 5. D Science or engineering posi- tion not available 6. D Other (please specify) 11. From the Degree and Employment Specialty List on page 6, select and enter both the name and number of the specialty most closely related to your principal employment during the week of November 12,1984. Please write In your specialty even If it is not on the list. (name of specialty) (number) CAREER PLANS 12. What kind of work do you expect to be doing when you are 35 years old? (Job name) From the Degree and Employment Specialty List on page 6, select and enter both the name and number of the specialty most closely related to this job. Please write in the specialty even If It Is not on the list. I 8. Did you ever attend a graduate school or pro- fessional school, but leave baton finishing a degree? 1. D no (skip to Q-9) 2. D yas 8a. If yas, what type of program were you enrolled in? (check one) • 1. D Nondegree 2. D Bachelor's degree 3. D Master's degree 4. D Research doctorate (Ph.D.) 5. D Clinical doctorate (M.D., O.D., O.D.S., D.V.M., etc.) 6. D Other professional degree (LLB., J.D., etc.) 8b. Why did you leave? 8c. Which of the following were major fac- tors in your decision to leave the pro- gram? (check all that apply) 1. D Lack of Interest In the program 2. D External factors such as mar- riage, children, etc. 3. D Educational expenses 4. D Lack of preparation for the program 5. D Expectations of future earnings 9. What was your employment status as of the week of November 12,1984? Please answer even If you were a student. 1. D Postdoctoral appointment (fellowship, traineeship, research assoclateship, etc.) (Skip to Q. 12) 2. D Not employed 9a If not employed, were you seeking employment? 1. D no 2. D yes (Skip to Q. 12) 3. D Employed 9b. If employed, was this full-time or part- time employment? (check one) 1. D Full-time (35 hours or more) 2. D Part-time (less than 35 hours) (name of specialty) (number) 12a Is this work a science-related occupation? 1. D no 2. D yes 13. Do you think you will need more education, training, or schooling than you have at pre- sent In order to obtain this kind of work or to advance as you would like in your job or career? 1. D no 2. D yes 3. D don't know

83 13*. If yes, what is the highest level of ad• UltlonaJ education you will need? (check one) 1. D Nondegree program 2. D Baccalaureate degree 3. D Master's degree 4. D Research doctorate (Ph.D.) 5. O Clinical doctorate (M.D., O.D., O.D.S., D.V.M.) 6. D Other professional degree (LLB., J.D., etc.) UNDERGRADUATE SCIENCE EDUCATION 14. Overall, how satisfied were you with the quality of your undergraduate science pro- gram? (check one) 1. D Very satisfied 2. D Satisfied 3. D Neither satisfied nor dissatisfied 4. D Dissatisfied 5. D Very dissatisfied 15. As part of your undergraduate science pro- gram, were you able to establish a close working relationship or a close Intellectual relationship with a faculty member? 1. D no 2. D yes 15a If yes, in comparison with other parts of your science curriculum, how beneficial to your science education was this relationship? (check one) 1. D Much more beneficial 2. D More beneficial 3. D Neither more nor less beneficial 4. D Less beneficial 5. D Much lew. beneficial 16. As part of your undergraduate science pro- gram, were you Involved In an on-campus research project with a faculty member? 1. D no 2. D yes 16a If yes, in comparison with other parts of your science curriculum, how beneficial to your science education was this research project? (check one) 1. O Much more beneficial 2. D More beneficial 3. D Neither more nor less beneficial 4. D Less beneficial 5. D Much less beneficial 17. As part of your undergraduate science pro- gram, were you Involved in a summer research project In Industry or at an institu- tion other than the university at which you were a student? 1. D no 2. D yes 17a. If yes, In comparison with other parts of your science curriculum, how beneficial to your science education was this research project? (check one) 1. D Much more beneficial 2. D More beneficial 3. D Neither more nor less beneficial 4. D Less beneficial 5. D Much less beneficial 18. As part of your undergraduate science pro- gram, did you attend any scientific meetings or conferences? 1. D no 2. D yes 18a. If yes, In comparison with other parts of your science curriculum, how beneficial to your science education were these conferences? (check one) 1. D Much more beneficial 2. D More beneficial 3. D Neither more nor less beneficial 4. O Less beneficial 5. O Much less beneficial 19. As an undergraduate, did you ever make a presentation of the findings of your own, original research to a group of students or scientists? 1. D no 2. D yes JQa- If yes, In comparison with other parts of your science curriculum, how im- portant to your career plans was this experience? (check one) 1. D Much more important 2. O More important 3. D Neither more nor less important 4. O Less Important 5. D Much less important 20. As an undergraduate, how much did you learn about research topics or research problems that were of Immediate Interest to the scien- tific community? (check one) 1. D A lot 2. D Some 3. D Little 4. D Nothing at all

84 21. As an undergraduate student, did you receive any career counseling or guidance from facul- ty members? 1. D no 2. D yes 22. As part of your undergraduate program, were you able to work with highly complex scien- tific instrumentation (I.e., Instrumentation similar to that used by practicing scientists)? 1. D no 2. D yes 23. As an undergraduate student, did you receive guidance and counseling from faculty members In applying to graduate school? 1. D no 2. D yes 24. Were you ever a trainee or fellow in the Minority Access to Research Careen (MARC) Honors Undergraduate program? (check one) 1* ? no \ Please skip to Q. 27 2. D not sure 3. D yes. Please continue 24a. How many months did you spend on this program? (months) 24b. Did you receive your bachelor's degree while on the MARC program? 1. D no 2. D yes 25. As part of your undergraduate MARC program did you take special classes for MARC students? 1. D no 2. D yes 25a. If yea, In comparison with other parts of your science curriculum, how beneficial to your science education were these courses? (check one) 1. D Much more beneficial 2. D More beneficial 3. D Neither more nor toss beneficial 4. D Less beneficial 5. D Much less beneficial 26. As part of your undergraduate MARC pro- gram, was there a special lecture series where scientists from other institutions were brought to your campus? 1. D no 2. D yes 26a. If yes, In comparison with other parts of your science curriculum, how beneficial to your science education was this lecture series? (check one) 1. D Much more beneficial 2. D More beneficial 3. D Neither more nor less beneficial 4. D Less beneficial 5. D Much less beneficial 27. As an undergraduate student, were you ever a part of the Minority Biomedical Support (MBS) or Minority Biomedical Research Sup- port (MBRS) programs? 1' ? "° \ Please skip to Q. 28 2. D not sure ) 3. D yes. Please continue. 27a How many months did you spend on this program? (months) 27b. Did you receive your bachelor's degree while in the MBS or MBRS program? 1. D no 2. D yes 28. Estimate how well you did in all of your course work for your UNDERGRADUATE degree. (IF YOUR SCHOOL DID NOT GRADE ON A 4.0 BASIS, CONVERT YOUR RECORD TO THE APPROPRIATE CATEGORY.) CHECK ONE BOX ONLY. 1. D Mostly A (3.75-4.00 Grade Point Average) 2. D About half A and half B (3.25-3.74 Grade Point Average) 3. D Mostly B (2.75-3.24 Grade Point Average) 4. D About half B and half C (2.25-2.74 Grade Point Average) 5. D Mostly C (1.75-2.24 Grade Point Average) 6. D About half C and half D (1.25-1.74 Grade Point Average) 7. D Mostly D or below (Less than 1.25 Grade Point Average)

85 Thank you for your help. Please use the space below If you have any additional comments on the survey questions, survey topics or on your undergraduate science training: Please return the completed form In the enclosed envelope to the National Academy of Sciences, JH 630, 2101 Constitution Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20418.

86 DEGREE AND EMPLOYMENT SPECIALTY LIST Agriculture 013 Agronomy 014 Animal, dairy, poultry sciences 015 Farm and range management 016 Fish, game and wildlife management 017 Food sciences 018 Forestry and related sciences 019 Horticulture 020 Natural resources management 021 Soil science 090 Agricultural sciences, other Biological Sciences 211 Anatomy, histology 213 Biochemistry 214 Biophysics 215 Botany 221 Cell and molecular biology 216 Entomology 226 Embryology 217 Genetics 218 Immunology 219 Marine biology 220 Microbiology, bacteriology 227 Neurosciences 222 Nutrition 228 Parasitology 223 Pathology, human, animal, plant 224 Physiology, human, animal, plant 229 Radiobiology 230 Toxicology 225 Zoology 290 Biological sciences, other Education 413 Biological sciences education 414 Engineering education 417 Mathematics education 421 Physical sciences education 425 Social science education 490 Education, other Engineering 511 Aerospace, aeronautical, astronautical 512 Agricultural 513 Architectural 514 Bioengineering and biomedical engineering 515 Chemical 516 Civil, construction, and transportation 518 Computer engineering 517 Electrical, electronic, and communication 529 Engineering science 519 Environmental and sanitary 520 Geological 521 Industrial 530 Materials 522 Mechanical 523 Metallurgical 524 Mining and mineral 525 Naval architecture and marine engineering 526 Nuclear 531 Ocean 527 Petroleum 751 Operations research/management sciences 590 Engineering, other Mathematical Sciences 711 Actuarial science 723 Computer and information sciences 750 Mathematics 751 Operations research/management sciences 713 Statistics 780 Mathematical sciences, other Physical Sciences 720 Astronomy 721 Atmospheric sciences and meteorology 213 Biochemistry 722 Chemistry 741 Earth sciences and geology 733 Metallurgy 742 Oceanography 731 Physics 790 Physical sciences, other Social Sciences 811 Anthropology 812 Criminology 813 Economics 814 Geography 823 Linguistics 817 Political science and government 818 Psychology (except clinical) 821 Sociology 822 Urban studies 890 Social sciences, other Health Sciences 611 Clinical psychology 612 Dentistry 614 Hospital and health care administration 615 Medicine or pre-medicine 616 Nursing 617 Pharmacology 618 Pharmacy 690 Health sciences, other Arts and Humanities 109 Area and ethnic studies 110 Art* and letters, general 115 English and journalism 114 Fine and applied arts 116 Foreign language and literature, all fields 117 History 119 Philosophy 120 Religion and theology Other Specialties 911 Architecture and environmental design 914 Business and commerce 912 Home economics, all fields 913 Law and prelaw 915 Military science, including merchant marine deck officer 916 Social work 999 Other fields

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