Program Details
University of Pittsburgh (Physics and Astronomy)
How many tenure-track or tenured faculty -- male/female?
The Department of Physics and Astronomy has 31 male and 3 female faculty; all female faculty members are in tenured positions.
How many graduate students-- male/female?
Our department has 74 male and 20 female graduate students total; the newest class (matriculated Fall 2008) is comprised of 10 male and 7 female students.
How many post doctoral associates - male/female?
Information Unavailable
Is there a family leave policy for graduate students? If so, describe.
Graduate students who are funded as teaching assistants and who become pregnant can receive accommodation under University policies. Students who are supported as GSRs can negotiate accommodations with their advisor, as permitted by their grant funding agencies, in consultation with the graduate program chair.
Is there family health insurance for graduate students? If so, is it included in the stipend?
Graduate students must enroll in health insurance and the individual rate is completely covered by the university; this does not come out of their stipend. Students are also eligible to purchase coverage for family members, and the _difference_ from the individual rate is then deducted from their stipend. See http://gradcare.hr.pitt.edu/grad.htm for details.
Please describe why someone applying to graduate school who is interested in a female-friendly department should choose your department.
Female graduate students have found our department to be an egalitarian, open environment for studying physics. Living in Pittsburgh is highly affordable, with excellent public and University transit systems (free for students) and a wide variety of cultural opportunities (music, theater, museums, etc.). The University of Pittsburgh Department of Physics and Astronomy has long been at the forefront in the participation of women in science; Professor Emeritus Elizabeth Baranger was co-founder (with Vera Kistiakowsky) of Women in Science and Engineering. The department and University have a variety of fellowship programs targeted towards female students in science, including the Mary E. Warga Predoctoral Fellowship, the Elizabeth U. Baranger Predoctoral Fellowship, and the Provost's Development Fund. More information on related activities at Pitt is available at the website of the Provost's Advisory Committee on Women's Concerns, http://www.provost.pitt.edu/pacwc/ ; a department graduate student was a recent member of this committee.
Has the institution had Climate for Women in Physics Site Visit?
No
Updated: November 03, 2008
