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
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
51.2205 HEALTH/MEDICAL PHYSICS

Definition of STEM for Statistics Purposes

STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. APS uses the definition of STEM identified by the Department of Homeland Security in their 2022 List of STEM Degree Programs, and APS also includes degrees from STEM teacher preparation programs (relevant CIP codes under 13.13).

For more information on CIP codes, see the CIP user site, or email education@aps.org with questions about the statistics presented on this website.