Furman Physics Department Ranks Among Top Schools in Number of Bachelor's Degrees
January 15, 2008
GREENVILLE, S.C.— January 15, 2008 – With an average of 10 graduates per year over a three-year period, Furman University’s Department of Physics ranks among the nation’s top colleges and universities in producing students who earn bachelor’s degrees in physics.
According to a report from the American Institute of Physics, Furman is one of 35 schools whose physics departments offer a bachelor’s as their highest degree to average 10 or more undergraduate degrees for the classes of 2003, 2004 and 2005. California Polytechnic State University–San Luis Obispo led the list with 24. Other ranked institutions include the U.S. Air Force Academy (23), Williams College (18) and James Madison University (11).
“We have more than doubled the number of physics graduates at Furman since 1994, so we’ve made good progress,” said Dr. William Baker, chair of the department.
“Increasing the number of American citizens interested in studying physics, as well as the sciences in general, is vital to our nation’s security and continued economic viability as a global leader.”
Furman’s physics department has six faculty members, all of whom hold Ph.D. degrees. Baker said the department will have another 10 graduates in 2008.
The Statistical Research Center of the American Institute of Physics has been collecting enrollment and degree data for four-and-a-half decades. Its most recent report is based on data collected in the fall of 2005 from the 764 college and university departments that offer physics degrees.
For more information, contact the Department of Physics at 864-294-2207.
