In 1981 women earned 15 percent of the 1,329 doctoral degrees awarded to U.S. citizens and permanent residents. By 1996, women earned 30 percent of the 1,461 doctoral degrees awarded in chemistry.

Similarly, in 1981 women earned 29.1 percent of the 3,420 doctoral degrees awarded in biology. By 1996, women earned 44.5 percent of the 4,365 doctoral degrees awarded in biology.

The demographics of women earning the terminal degree in 1998 is similar to that of their male counterparts. Both women and men are taking 7 years to obtain a Ph.D. in biology and 6 years to obtain a Ph.D. in chemistry. The median age of women and men obtaining the Ph.D. in biology is 32 years, while the median age of women and men obtaining a Ph.D. in chemistry is 29 years. Slightly more men than women earning the terminal degree were planning on doing additional postdoctoral training upon completion of their degree. In biology, 54.4 percent of men and 50.6 percent of women were planning on pursuing postdoctoral training, while 49 percent of male chemists and 44.6 percent of female chemists were planning on postdoctoral work.

Reference: National Research Council (NRC) Doctorate Records File (DRF). Data restricted to U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents and NSF/NIH/NEH/USED/USDA, Survey of Earned Doctorates, 1998.