"Rethinking Science as a Career"
by S. Tobias and D. Chubin (1995)
Ever since the projected shortfall of science and mathematics Ph.Ds evaporated
in the early 1990s, the science and mathematics communities have been
debating how to cope with the imbalance between supply and demand of
science and mathematics Ph.Ds.
Numerous national reports have called for a "broadening" of the training of
professional scientists and mathematicians, usually in conjunction with the
traditional Ph.D programs.
Yet, listings of "alternate careers," the publication of "survival guides," and
numerous national meetings have not alleviated the problem. Nor has there been
any significant reduction either in the number of Ph.D programs or in the
numbers of students admitted.
The non-incidental (i.e., terminal or professional) master's degree in
mathematics and the sciences is emerging as a possible alternative to the
Ph.D, first in the areas of applied, financial, and industrial mathematics, now at
the initiative of the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, in the sciences as well.
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