Physics and STEM Definitions

Definition of Physics for Statistics Purposes

Data on physics degrees include degrees labeled as physics as well as degrees that are frequently awarded in physics departments, such as engineering physics/applied physics, astrophysics, and physics teacher education. At institutions that have separate departments for e.g. applied physics or astrophysics, the data reflect the total number of degrees awarded in physics and allied departments.

The values which fall under this definition within the Academic Discipline, 6-Digit Classification of Instructional Program (CIP) classification variable are:

13.1329 PHYSICS TEACHER EDUCATION
14.1201 ENGINEERING PHYSICS/APPLIED PHYSICS
40.0202 ASTROPHYSICS
40.0299 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS, OTHER
40.0801 PHYSICS, GENERAL
40.0802 ATOMIC/MOLECULAR PHYSICS
40.0804 ELEMENTARY PARTICLE PHYSICS
40.0805 PLASMA AND HIGH-TEMPERATURE PHYSICS
40.0806 NUCLEAR PHYSICS
40.0807 OPTICS/OPTICAL SCIENCES
40.0808 SOLID STATE AND LOW-TEMPERATURE PHYSICS
40.0810 THEORETICAL AND MATHEMATICAL PHYSICS
40.0899 PHYSICS, OTHER

Definition of STEM for Statistics Purposes

STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. APS uses the definition of STEM identified in an April 2011 National Center for Education Statistics report.

The following disciplines are included in the definition of STEM. The respective CIP codes for each discipline are outlined in the above mentioned report:

  • Aerospace Engineering
  • Chemical Engineering
  • Civil Engineering
  • Electrical Engineering
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Materials Engineering
  • Industrial Engineering
  • Other Engineering
  • Astronomy
  • Chemistry
  • Physics
  • Other Physical Sciences
  • Atmospheric Sciences
  • Earth Sciences
  • Oceanography
  • Mathematics and Statistics
  • Computer Science
  • Biological Sciences
  • Science Technologies
  • Engineering Technologies
  • Other Science and Engineering Technologies

The crosswalk of the above mentioned Academic Disciplines to the corresponding CIP codes can be found on WebCASPAR (this is mainly for use in IPEDS).

Questions?
Email education@aps.org