• almost a third were in the social sciences,

• over a quarter were in the natural sciences,

• over a quarter were in engineering, and

• about an eighth were in mathematics and the computer sciences.

The S& E fields showing the greatest growth in both enrollment and degree awards were mathematics/computer sciences and engineering. Enrollments in these fields grew annually at 6 and 4 percent, respectively, between 1977 and 1991; enrollments in the natural and social sciences grew at less than 1 percent. (See appendix table 2-23.)

This section discusses the growth in graduate enrollments and degree awards, particularly among female and foreign students. It also examines growth trends in specific fields at the masters and doctoral levels.

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