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Synopses of new reports in the Report Library on the Engineering Trends Web Site engtrends.com

1. "Bachelor's, Master's and Doctoral Degrees Awarded to Women in Engineering Disciplines - AY1980-81 through AY2006-07"
2. "Measures of Growth in Engineering Bachelor's, Master's and Doctoral Degrees Awarded to Various Ethnic Groups - AY1980-81 through AY2006-07"
3. "Fractions of Engineering Degrees Awarded to Women in the US Vary Significantly with Ethnicity and National Origin - A Study of Bachelor's, Master's and Doctoral Degrees Since AY1990-91"
4. "Foreign Nationals - Bachelor's, Master's and Doctoral Degrees Awarded in Various Disciplines from AY1980-81 through AY2006-07"

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Updated Graphs on the Degrees Since 1945 Page of the Engineering Trends Web Site

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Synopses of New Reports in the Report Library on the Engineering Trends Web Site

Bachelor's, Master's and Doctoral Degrees Awarded to Women in Engineering Disciplines - AY1980-81 through AY2006-07 (Report 0508A)

This report analyzes the number and fraction of degrees awarded to women in engineering and ten engineering disciplines for the period AY1980-81 through AY2006-07, the most recent year for which survey data are available. Bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees are considered for aerospace, biological (bioengineering plus biomedical), chemical, computer (engineering plus science), civil, electrical, environmental, industrial, mechanical and materials (plus science and metallurgical) engineering.

The numbers of bachelors degrees awarded to women in computer and electrical engineering rose dramatically to maxima in AY2002-03 and AY2003-04, respectively, and subsequently declined 37.9% and 17.1%, respectively, through AY2006-07. Bachelor's degrees awarded to women in biological, civil and mechanical engineering have increased in recent years, but declined slightly in AY2006-07. Fractions of bachelor's degrees awarded to women in most disciplines continue to decline slowly.

The period of rapid growth of master's degrees awarded to women in computer and electrical engineering has ended. From AY1995-96 through AY2003-04, degrees in computer engineering grew 156%; from that point until AY2006-07, the number of master's degrees awarded to women declined 26.2%. Similarly, electrical engineering degrees awarded to women increased 85.9% from AY1996-97 through AY2004-05 and subsequently declined 16.8%. Master's degrees awarded to women in several other disciplines have declined slightly in the last year or two. Fractions of master's degrees awarded to women in many of the disciplines studied have remained essentially constant or have increased only slightly in the last few years.

Substantial annual growth continues in the numbers of doctoral degrees awarded to women in the engineering disciplines studied. Slight declines in AY2006-07 for chemical, mechanical and aerospace engineering occurred, but the magnitudes of these declines are not unlike the magnitudes of fluctuations shown in prior years. Fractions of doctoral degrees awarded to women have continued to increase and to mirror the overall trend of engineering as a whole.

At all three degree levels, the fractions awarded to women in environmental, biological, chemical, industrial, materials and civil engineering exceeded those of overall engineering in AY2006-07. The bachelor's, master's and doctoral fractions for environmental engineering were 42.6%, 42.5% and 42.1%, respectively; for biological engineering, they were 40.0%, 39.8% and 31.6%, respectively.

Measures of Growth in Engineering Bachelor's, Master's and Doctoral Degrees Awarded to Various Ethnic Groups - AY1980-81 through AY2006-07 (Report 0508B)

This study evaluated the progress made since AY1980-81 in increasing the number of engineering bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees awarded to four ethnic groups - African (Af), Hispanic (Hi), Native (Na) and Asian (As) Americans. Numbers of degrees awarded annually and the fractions of engineering degrees awarded annually to each group are presented in this report. The trends of these two measures over the period from AY1980-81 through AY2006-07 were examined. In addition, AY2006-07 data for the fractions of total engineering degrees (foreign national degrees excluded) awarded to each group were compared to the fraction of the US population for each group.

Over the twenty-six years included in the study, increases in the numbers of bachelor's degrees awarded to the four groups ranged from 158% (Af) to 373% (Na) and the increases in the fractions of bachelor's degrees ranged from 117% (Af) to 307% (Na). For master's degrees, the increases in the numbers of degrees ranged from 313% (As) to 489% (Af); increases in the fractions of degrees ranged from 98% (As) to 385% (Na). For doctoral degrees, the increases in the numbers of degrees ranged from 192% (As) to 663% (Af); increases in the fractions of degrees ranged from -4% (As) to 154% (Af).

The ratios of bachelor's degrees awarded to African, Hispanic and Native Americans in AY2006-07 to the fraction of the US population of each group ranged from 40% (Af) to 50% (Hi). For master's degrees, the ratios ranged from 20% (Na) to 40% (Hi); for doctoral degrees, the ratios were all essentially 30%. The Asian American group had ratios greater than unity for all degree levels.

Clearly, significant progress has been made in obtaining improved ethnicity balance in engineering degrees. However, this study shows that continued effort is necessary. It is important to note that the fractions of bachelor's and master's degrees awarded to African, Hispanic and Native Americans continue to increase at this time. Attention should be given to the annual decreases that have been occurring for over five years for the fractions of doctoral degrees awarded to these groups.

Fractions of Engineering Degrees Awarded to Women in the US Vary Significantly with Ethnicity and National Origin - A Study of Bachelor's, Master's and Doctoral Degrees Since AY1990-91 (Report 0508C)

This report considers the fractions of engineering bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees awarded to women by US universities from AY1990-91 through AY2006-07. Six groups were selected for study - Caucasian, African, Hispanic, Native and Asian Americans and foreign nationals. For engineering as a whole, the fractions of bachelor's degrees awarded to women have declined annually since AY1999-00, master's degree fractions have remained essentially constant since AY 2000-01 and doctoral degree fractions have continued to increase annually through AY2006-07.

The fractions of total engineering bachelor's and doctoral degrees awarded to women in the US were compared to data for other countries. For AY2001-02, the fraction of bachelor's degrees awarded to women in the US was slightly lower than the average of 67 countries reporting data (20.1% versus 21.4%). For doctoral degrees, the fraction awarded to women in the US was greater than that in other countries reporting data (17.5% versus 14.2%).

For the five groups of US citizens, African Americans have had the highest fractions of degrees awarded to women at the bachelor's master's and doctoral levels (for AY2006-07, 30.4%, 33.5% and 32.0%, respectively). For all five groups of US citizens, Caucasian American women were awarded the lowest fractions at the three levels (for AY2006-07, 16.2%, 19.6% and 20.4%, respectively).

The results of this study suggest two approaches for increasing the fractions of engineering bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees awarded to women. First, a credible survey of the attitudes of high school students should be undertaken to provide a valid understanding of the determining factors for college education decisions. Specifically, it is important to understand the relative reluctance of Caucasian American women high school students to select engineering. This survey should also include surveys of students in countries that have significantly more interest of women in engineering. The understanding provided by this survey should be used in programs designed to attract women to engineering. Second, enhanced programs for encouraging increased overall enrollment of non-Caucasian students in engineering should be developed based on the understanding that has come forth from past efforts that were successful in this regard. Such an approach has the potential for increasing both the representation of underrepresented minorities in engineering and the fraction of women receiving engineering degrees.

Foreign Nationals - Bachelor's, Master's and Doctoral Degrees Awarded in Various Disciplines from AY1980-81 through AY2006-07 (Report 0508D)

This report analyzes the trends of engineering bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees awarded to foreign nationals from AY1980-01 through AY2006-07 for engineering as a whole and eleven engineering disciplines. Data for both numbers of degrees and fractions of degrees in individual disciplines are presented. The disciplines chosen for study are aerospace, biological (bioengineering plus biomedical), chemical, computer (engineering plus science), civil, electrical, environmental, industrial, mechanical, materials (engineering plus science and metallurgical) and systems engineering.

The fraction of engineering bachelor's degrees awarded to foreign nationals has declined very slowly and continuously from AY1980-81 (8.9%) to AY2006-07 (6.9%). For individual disciplines in recent years, the major trends in fractions of degrees have been increases in materials, systems and chemical engineering and decreases in computer and aerospace engineering. In AY2006-07, industrial, electrical, systems and computer engineering had degree fractions greater than engineering as a whole.

The fraction of engineering master's degrees awarded to foreign nationals increased from 24.9% in AY1985-86 to 46.0% in AY2002-03 and subsequently declined 39.1% through AY2006-07. Essentially all engineering disciplines included in this study followed this same trend in recent years. In AY2006-07, industrial, electrical, computer and chemical engineering had degree fractions greater than "all engineering".

The fraction of engineering doctoral degrees awarded to foreign nationals increased from AY1998-99 (45.0%) through AY2005-06 (62.2%) and declined to 60.2% through AY2006-07. All disciplines studied underwent degree fraction growth beginning in the late 1990s. Only biological, chemical and industrial engineering grew in AY2006-07.

In AY2006-07, electrical, industrial, computer, mechanical and civil engineering had degree fractions greater than engineering.

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The databases at Engineering Trends are ideally suited for benchmarking studies - comparisons of statistical information (faculty, degrees, research expenditures, etc.) describing engineering programs (college and disciplines) at various universities. To demonstrate our capabilities for comprehensive and credible benchmarking, including assessments of long-term trends, we have initiated a "Summer 2008 Special" for benchmarking studies through August. The 50% discount applies to all benchmarking studies requested by both members and non-members. Contact us (Web site, e-mail or telephone) for details and to define a benchmarking study that fits your needs.

Updated Graphs on the Degrees Since 1945 Page on the Engineering Trends Web Site

All of the seventy-two graphs for engineering and twenty-one engineering disciplines on the Degrees Since 1945 page of the Web site have been updated with AY2006-07 degree data. Graphs for engineering as a whole include gender, ethnicity and foreign national data. These graphs are available to all site visitors. Graphs for individual disciplines include gender and foreign national data.

New Studies Underway at Engineering Trends

An analysis of research expenditures in engineering colleges and disciplines is currently underway at Engineering Trends. In addition, AY2007-08 enrollment data are being studied to determine whether downward trends in undergraduate engineering are continuing. Reports on these studies will be summarized in the next quarterly newsletter and posted on our Web site.

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