General Notes
Data presented here are derived from the fall 2006 National Science Foundation-National Institutes of Health Survey of Graduate Students and Postdoctorates in Science and Engineering. Unless otherwise specified, the published data represent estimates of total enrollment in science, engineering, and health-related programs in 12,320 graduate departments at 586 institutions in the United States and outlying areas.
Collection of graduate enrollment and postdoctoral employment data began in 1966. Given the need to remain relevant to the needs of those who use the resulting data, the survey has been modified since its inception. These modifications include changes in coverage of institutions and fields, in definitions, and in the kinds of demographic data collected. (See appendix A, "Technical Notes," for further information.) Because survey modifications occur and institutions may revise their data for earlier years, only the latest trend data published in this report should be used in historical analyses.