It's no secret that women are underrepresented in science and engineering fields, and the gender gap is particularly noticeable in computer science. Tufts has several programs to attract women to math and science fields, but such programs are lacking at some universities and science institutions nationwide.
But are the numbers improving? In this edition of by the numbers, the Daily examines how women are faring in those traditionally male-dominated areas of study.
26.3 Percentage of female college freshmen intending to major in a science or engineering field in 2004
40.8 Percentage of male college freshmen intending to major in a science or engineering field in 2004
0.4 Percentage of female college freshmen intending to major in computer science in 2004
4.1 Percentage of male college freshmen intending to major in computer science in 2004
227,813 Number of science and engineering bachelor's degrees awarded to women in 2004
224,525 Number of science and engineering bachelor's degrees awarded to men in 2004
34 Percentage of female graduate students in science and engineering fields in 1991
41 Percentage of female graduate students in science and engineering fields in 2001
40 Percentage of female science and engineering faculty, as of 2003, with a doctoral degree
56 Percentage of male science and engineering faculty, as of 2003, with a doctoral degree
1,330,500 Number of women employed in science and engineering fields as of 2003
3,597,100 Number of men employed in science and engineering fields as of 2003
519,700 Number of women employed as computer and information scientists as of 2003
1,363,700 Number of men employed as computer and information scientists as of 2003
$58,000 Median annual salary of women employed full time in computer science jobs for 2001-2002
$67,000 Median annual salary of men employed full time in computer science occupations for 2001-2002
1979 The year that Congress passed the Women in Science and Technology Equal Opportunity Act
-Compiled from the National Science Foundation, Sciencemag.org and the Committee on Women and Science and Engineering
