ASBMB 2010 Graduation Survey Results
Despite the encouraging response rate received for the 2008 Graduation Survey, the response rate for 2010 was very low. For 2010, only 151 of the 802 departments contacted submitted responses. Even so, certain observations are consistent with previous surveys. The ratios of female to male graduates reported at the baccalaureate and masters levels are essentially the same as the last survey. The ratio of female to male graduates at the Ph.D. level is 10% higher in this survey, but the total number of graduates at this level are only half those reported in the last survey making it hard to draw any conclusions. The only other number that stands out is the increase in the reported number American Indian or Alaskan Native women who have received a baccalaureate degree. This was due to the reports of Wellesley College (13) and the University of Richmond (7). Georgia State University reported the most African American masters degrees (13) and doctorate degrees (4). The top several departments in reporting degrees in each category for historically underserved groups can be found at:
http://www.asbmb.org/uploadedFiles/Minority%20graduations-2010.pdf
Earlier this year ASBMB Today published a comparison of the results reported for percentages of underrepresented minorities in the 2008 graduation survey with 2008 data from NSF1. In almost all categories institutions responding to our survey were above the NSF statistics. Without better response in the future, we will not be able to know where we stand. Any suggestions for obtaining a better response in future surveys should be addressed to jkzmm@clemson.edu.
A list of schools know to offer degrees in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Biotechnology, or Chemistry with a Biochemistry option can be found online at http://www.asbmb.org/uploadedFiles/ProfessionalDevelopment/Resources/ASBMBGradSurveySchoolList.pdf. If your school offers such a degree and is not on the list, please contact us at education@asbmb.org. One of the advantages of these surveys is that the results are immediate. The results below are for the academic year ending in 2010 whereas governmental reports are usually two years behind.
Graduation Survey Results
|
Female
B.A./B.S.
|
Male
B.A./B.S.
|
Female
M.A./M.S.
|
Male
M.A./M.S.
|
Female
Ph.D.
|
Male
Ph.D.
|
American Indian or Alaskan Native
|
27
|
12
|
0
|
0
|
5
|
6
|
Asian
|
170
|
134
|
18
|
19
|
29
|
29
|
Black, not of Hispanic Origin
|
25
|
49
|
11
|
8
|
6
|
4
|
Hispanic
|
30
|
26
|
3
|
2
|
3
|
4
|
Pacific Islander
|
4
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
1
|
5
|
White, not of Hispanic Origin
|
482
|
501
|
43
|
40
|
70
|
85
|
International Students
|
49
|
40
|
31
|
22
|
54
|
50
|
Unspecified
|
137
|
113
|
3
|
4
|
5
|
6
|
TOTAL
|
924
|
875
|
109
|
95
|
173
|
189
|
James Zimmerman
Emeritus Professor of Biochemistry
Genetics and Biochemistry Department
Clemson University
|
Peter Kennelly
Professor & Head
Department of Biochemistry
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University |
Craig E. Cameron
Paul Berg Professor
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Pennsylvania State University (University Park)
|
Benjamin D. Caldwell, Ph.D.
Professor and Chairperson
Department of Chemistry
Missouri Western State University
|
Takita Felder Sumter
Associate Professor of Chemistry
Dept. of Chemistry, Physics & Geology
Winthrop University
|
|
1 ASBMB Today (2010) March, page 25