Sir

Tony Reichhardt's article, “Wyoming physics faculty faces closure”, grossly overstates our recommendations on the future of the Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Wyoming (Nature 398, 357; 1999 ). Since the article appeared, we have further refined our recommendations, which will clarify the future of physics instruction.

It was never suggested that the university should not teach physics. The academic plan did, however, raise serious questions about the health of the Department of Physics and Astronomy. These in turn raise questions about the number of degree programmes we will try to support. Currently, we offer bachelors, masters and doctoral degrees in physics, and a bachelors degree in astronomy/astrophysics.

Physics and astronomy is a troubled department. Last year, with a budget of more than $1 million, it produced only one graduate with a baccalaureate degree. We have an obligation to ask whether a budget of this magnitude is justified.

There are additional problems. Our recommendation to eliminate the department's graduate programmes and to question the future of the baccalaureate degree was based largely on a 1998 peer review of the mathematics and physical sciences divisions within the university's College of Arts & Sciences.

The reviewers, representatives from other University of Wyoming colleges as well as from other regional universities, examined six departments. Five were rated ‘very good’ or ‘acceptable’; only physics and astronomy was rated ‘unacceptable’.

The review found that, between 1992 and 1996, undergraduate enrolment fell by 44 per cent, graduate enrolment by 29 per cent, and degrees granted by 53 per cent. Enrolment in many undergraduate courses was lower than the university's standard minimum. About half the faculty members were inactive in research. Collegiality among at least some faculty members was low, and communication was a major problem. The Wyoming Infrared Observatory (WIRO) appeared to be underused and underequipped, owing in part to the staff's inability to communicate and work together.

Both this review and an evaluation of WIRO by leading astronomers also indicated that changes must be made in the administration of the observatory, to improve its cost-effectiveness, and in the quality of its instruments to improve the science. Given the many calls on this institution's limited funds, it was imperative that the academic plan should question whether this is a sensible continuing investment. To treat any discipline as a sacred cow would make a mockery of any planning process.

Since the article inNature, we have completed our second draft of the plan. We received thousands of comments on the draft. Many comments dealt with the Department of Physics and Astronomy.

The comments did not change our view that the department is troubled. However, we were convinced that we could not have a credible department without offering at least a bachelors degree in the subject.

The new draft plan says the university's intention is to maintain a baccalaureate programme in physics, but it also places the responsibility where it belongs — on the faculty members — to rebuild the programme, beginning with the undergraduate programme. Graduate students will be able to complete their studies, but the plan suggests a moratorium on accepting new graduate students. Whether the masters or doctoral programmes are restored in the future will depend upon the progress made at undergraduate level. We will continue to look at new creative ways to manage the underused infrared telescope.

We believe that the people of Wyoming want a stronger, more focused university. We asked tough questions about every programme, including physics. The article raised the spectre of whether Wyoming would be shamed by being the only state-run university without a physics degree programme. In fact, we will maintain our baccalaureate programme and will rebuild the department, but only progressively and in response to specific benchmarks of performance. We know of no other way to preserve the quality educational experience we offer our students.