Program Details

University of California, Santa Cruz

How many tenure-track or tenured faculty -- male/female?

19/2

How many graduate students-- male/female?

41/13

How many post doctoral associates - male/female?

8/2

Is there a family leave policy for graduate students? If so, describe.

The graduate division approves unpaid Leaves of Absence. Leaves of Absence will be granted for sound educational purposes, health reasons, financial problems, and family responsibilities. Consistent with the TA union contract, paid leave is provided in many different instances including military leave, medical leave, family leave, jury duty, maternity leave, and bereavement leave.

Is there family health insurance for graduate students? If so, is it included in the stipend?

Graduate Student Health Insurance is provided by the department. Family/spouse/dependent health insurance is available, but is not covered by the department; it must be purchased through the student health center.

Please describe why someone applying to graduate school who is interested in a female-friendly department should choose your department.

The Physics Department at the University of California, Santa Cruz, has a long history of successfully mentoring female students. For many years, our graduate student population has been approximately 25% female. The majority of this year's entering graduate class is female. Our female students have generally gone on to successful careers, in areas such as cosmology and astrophysics (academic positions, including professorships), in condensed matter physics (both academic and industrial positions), particle physics theory and experiment, and applied physics. In addition to our successful mentoring efforts, we have significant resources which we are able to use to support the graduate careers of female students. Our efforts extend to the undergraduate level. Recently, our faculty, graduate students, and undergraduate students organized and hosted a west coast meeting of the Undergraduate Women in Physics Conference at UCSC.

Has the institution had a Climate for Women in Physics Site Visit or Gender Equity Conversation?

No

Updated: June 30, 2011

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