http://www.politics.co.uk/press-releases/education...
"Tuesday, 21 Nov 2006 08:08
New report reveals 10% cut in maths and science provision in HE over last decade
This afternoon's decision to axe the physics department at Reading University is part of potentially irreversible decline of UK science that could soon see parts of the UK unable to provide courses in both science and maths, warns the University and College Union (UCU).
The decision to closure Reading's physics department comes the same day as a worrying UCU report reveals that 10 per cent of UK science and maths courses have been axed in the last decade. Despite recent initiatives and warm words from the government to help UK science and innovation there has been a 10 per cent reduction in the number of core science and maths degrees offered by UK higher education institutions since 1998.
Today's report 'Degrees of decline' reveals that there are now just 224 single honours BSc courses in maths and science offered in the UK. Chemistry and physics have been worse hit by the cuts and the report shows that in Northern Ireland and north east England there is now only one institution offering single honours physics. " |