And in this continuing series, the latest CRA Taulbee Survey on enrollments in CS depts shows a 6.2% rise over the last year. This is the first increase in computer science programs in six years. Before you get too carried away though, the data reveal a couple of related glitches. Batchelor’s degree production is down 10%, while PhD production is up 5.7%. Of course, the gender issues will not change quickly, less than 12% of batchelor’s degrees were awarded to women. The picture is a little more optimistic at the doctoral level where 20% of new PhD’s are female, In sum, current enrollment is comparable to the numbers seen in 1999, after the large spike in the early years of this century. The report suggests we may be at the peak of PhD production this year and should anticipate a decline in the years ahead.
A new feature of this year’s report is the inclusion of data from some of the iSchools. There are some interesting differences between CS and I schools in the data set, eg, iSchools with undergrad programs seem to have twice as many black or African-American students as CS programs. At the masters level, iSchools seem fairly evenly balanced between males and females, while CS and CE programs are typically only 21% female. Given the numbers involved and the differing emphases between CS and iSchools at the Masters level, firm conclusions are difficult to draw. The report itself ends confidently, reporting that CS is now in a position of strength, as long as you don’t consider diversity. Oh well then…..
That is great stuff…hard to draw a firm conclusion on.
Well, not much has changed since I got my BS in CS back in 03. What would be interesting to know is what is motivating people to continue to pursue CS degrees at the graduate level but demotivating them from the undergrad level… Do these two sets of student populations want different things?
I am interested to know how you believe CS will obtain the sex appeal you have titled in order to raise the ratings? There seems to be a theme about increasing the female ratio? Which wouldn’t necessarily make it sexier for the females? Maybe it’s disbanding the geek image into one more sexy? That would be of interest to the females you wish to entice into CS.
My humble opinion, is that we need more CS grads full stop – male or female being irrelevant to the need. The way of the future is clearly computer dominated and we need excellent skills in this domain.