The gap between men and women receiving doctorate degrees in math and science from California universities is narrowing significantly, according to numerous analyses of state higher education trends.

Within the past decade, there has been a 30-percent increase in the number of female students earning doctorate degrees in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics, collectively referred to as S.T.E.M. fields. Data from the California Postsecondary Education Commission collected from 1996 to 2005 shows that the number of women in the University of California receiving doctorates jumped from 527 to 681. This brings the male to female ratio from approximately 5-to-1 a decade ago to 3.5-to-1 today.

Students and experts alike feel that the narrowing of the gender gap can be attributed, in part, to female scientists and teachers staking out territory in traditionally male-dominated disciplines to create a friendlier academic climate for other women.

“”I think that with the increase of female faculty members, more women in the sciences feel comfortable approaching their professors,”” Revelle College junior and bioengineering major Angelina Altshuler said.

Altshuler shares the sentiments of many students and experts who believe that the increased female presence on campus has encouraged an environment for women in S.T.E.M. fields that is much more positive and stimulating than it has ever been.

“”Female professors act as role models for their female students,”” said Kirsten Sanford, president of the Sacramento Valley Chapter of the Association of Women in Science. “”When women are more visible as professors and administrators in math and science fields, it helps to influence other women, showing them that it is possible for them to succeed in these lucrative fields.””

Sanford also said that in addition to having female role models present at universities, the increase in the number and strength of outreach programs at the undergraduate level also encourages women in S.T.E.M. fields. At UCSD, the Society of Women Engineers and the engineering sorority, Phi Sigma Rho, allow more women to become involved in these disciplines as undergraduates and gain confidence in further pursuing their higher educational and career goals in the future.

Altshuler, the president-elect of UCSD’s Phi Sigma Rho, said she feels strongly about the importance of student organizations on campus and the benefits they bring to women in the S.T.E.M. disciplines.

“”Phi Sigma Rho helps unite women majoring in science and engineering and provides a social Greek system for people who otherwise would not have the time to be involved,”” Altshuler said. “”I think involvement in student organizations provides a more balanced experience in addition to a support system of other women also involved in similar majors.””

Although the increase in on-campus organizations and the greater female presence in academic leadership have dramatically impacted the narrowing of the gender gap in science and math, the disparity is still quite apparent, especially in more autonomous and higher-paying positions, according to Elizabeth Yoder, the adviser for Graduate Women in Science and Engineering at UCSD and a board member of the San Diego chapter of AWIS.

“”Given the increased number of female S.T.E.M. doctorates, efforts to facilitate their steady postgraduate advancement are of increasing importance,”” Yoder said. “”Full participation of women in S.T.E.M. fields will be achieved by supporting their careers as valued colleagues with unique contributions rather than as highly skilled technical staff.””

Sanford attributes the current gender gap to the idea that society is still in a transitional phase in regard to women succeeding in math and science.

“”There are still discrepancies that need to be overcome, which have been in place for a very long time,”” Sanford said. “”Just 50 years ago, women were still expected to grow up to be housewives. We’ve definitely come a long way since then, but the gender gap still exists, and we need to continue to strive to close it.””

Yoder added that closing the gender gap, like any societal change, should be expected to occur very slowly; however, the fact that it is happening at all is a positive step.

“”It is good to focus on the fact that women are making tremendous advances, but we must continue to push forward, recognizing the fact that there continues to be a gap between men and women in the S.T.E.M. fields and working toward closing that gap entirely,”” Sanford said.