EUGENE, Ore. -- (Sept. 28, 2010) - Eight doctoral research programs at the University of Oregon are among the nation's top 25 percent when scored on criteria most valued by nationwide faculty in their respective disciplines, according to a study released today by the National Research Council. The NRC study uses a variety of statistical metrics to rate programs at the top 222 research institutions in the U.S.

UO was rated in 23 disciplines overall, although its extensive professional doctoral programs in law, business and education were not included in the scope of the NRC study. Nearly all of the rated UO programs received composite scores that placed them in the upper two-thirds of doctoral programs nationally.

"The NRC review shines a national spotlight on the critical importance of doctoral education in preparing the next generations of innovators, leaders and scholars essential to the future of higher education and U.S. economic competitiveness," said Richard Linton, the UO's vice president for research and graduate studies. "It reaffirms the UO's standing as a leading research university that delivers a broad range of doctoral research programs of high quality in life and physical sciences, social and behavioral sciences, and the humanities."

The UO fared especially well in the basic sciences, with doctoral programs in biology and psychology sizing up well across the board. Biology ranked as high as 17th out of 120 programs nationally, while psychology placed as high as 25th of 236 programs. Representing the social sciences, geography was the university's top-rated program with a ranking as high as sixth out of 49 programs.

The UO's geography, psychology and biology programs respectively ranked third, sixth and 18th in citations per publication, demonstrating the high degree to which UO's research discoveries have societal impact. Other top 10 rankings included third place for geography in publications per faculty member and tenth place for biology in awards received per faculty member.

The highest composite rankings for the UO's doctoral programs in geography and psychology were the best among all Northwest research universities. While the UO and Oregon State University were each rated in a variety of programs, the UO had the highest composite ratings in six of the seven doctoral programs the two universities have in common - chemistry, economics, geography, geology, mathematics and physics. The UO came out on top in six of 19 doctoral programs it has in common with the University of Washington.

Linton said the NRC data provide a valuable analytical tool for assessing the strengths and weaknesses of UO programs relative to those at the nation's other top research institutions. "It helps affirm the need for sustained growth in the quality, diversity and scope of our leading research and doctoral programs, as highlighted within UO's academic plan and strategic priorities," he said.

Scott Coltrane, dean of the UO's College of Arts and Sciences, said the NRC rankings reinforce the university's position as an institution on the rise - large enough to be nationally prominent but small enough to offer personal attention to students. Of the 23 UO programs that were reviewed, 21 are in arts and sciences.

"Just to be in this rating of elite universities is an achievement, but to be near the top is outstanding," Coltrane said. "The most important feature of research universities is their graduate programs, and we have among the best in the nation."

"We are hiring faculty that could be anywhere in the U.S., and they're choosing to come here," he said. "Since the previous NRC study, UO has constructed new state-of-the-art research facilities, dramatically increased research expenditures, and recruited some of the brightest young faculty and graduate students in the country."

The National Research Council is the working arm of the United States National Academies. The doctoral program study, which will be made available to prospective graduate students, is the third to be conducted by the NRC and its first since 1995. It is based on performance data from 2005-2006.

Unlike other rankings, the NRC doctoral survey takes into account a wide variety of factors and measures each in several different ways. The research council presented its initial results in a comprehensive spreadsheet that allows users to sort programs according to the criteria they consider most important - for example, research productivity, diversity or student financial support.

About the University of Oregon
The University of Oregon is a world-class teaching and research institution and Oregon's flagship public university. The UO is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), an organization made up of the 63 leading public and private research institutions in the United States and Canada. The University of Oregon is one of only two AAU members in the Pacific Northwest.

MEDIA CONTACT: Joe Mosley, UO media relations, 541-346-3606, jmosley@uoregon.edu

SOURCE: Scott Coltrane, dean of UO College of Arts and Sciences, 541-346-3902, coltrane@uoregon.edu