Texas cuts “low-producing” physics programs

 

Despite petitions from university administrators, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board at a 27 October hearing denied last-ditch appeals from four schools to save their undergraduate physics programs. Ten other physics departments were among the many academic programs that failed the state requirement to graduate an average of at least five students per year and are slated to be closed or restructured: Five, including a master’s program, were phased out without appeal; three were placed on two-year probation; and two were merged with their engineering physics departments.