IP: COLLEGES FACE A SHORTAGE OF FACULTY MEMBERS IN COMPUTER SCIENCE: Edupage, March 28, 2001

[David Farber <dave@farber.net>]

>The number of computer-science doctoral graduates continues to
>fall, according to a new report from the Computer Research
>Association. About 880 computer-science doctoral degrees were
>awarded last year, a decline from the previous year's total of
>about 950. In 1992, over 1,100 computer-science doctoral degrees
>were given. The main reason for the decline, said Penn State
>University computer-science professor and report co-author Mary
>Jane Irwin, is the number of potential doctoral students who
>instead choose to enter industry because the salaries are so
>attractive. Irwin has noticed this trend is especially strong
>among foreign nationals coming to U.S. institutions. She said
>foreign students "apply to a Ph.D. program, come to the U.S.,
>and find out that there are jobs for them even with just a
>master's degree. So they change to a master's, complete the
>program, and then go out and get a job." The Computer Research
>Association report reveals that the popularity of computer science
>degrees below the doctoral level continues to rise. Last year saw
>a 20 percent rise in the number of computer-science bachelor and
>master's degrees awarded.
>(Chronicle of Higher Education Online, 27 March 2001)



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