Brian Cline, having reached his senior year in ceramic science, is ready for more. His roommate, senior Brenton Kidd, plans to continue studying political science after graduation next fall.

More University undergraduates reflect these ambitions to earn a doctorate degree after obtaining their degree here. A recent study by the National Research Council ranked Penn State fifth in the nation for the number of its bachelor's degree recipients who go on to earn doctoral degrees.

Cline said making a decision to continue was easy. He said encouragement from his professors, positive influences from current graduate students and earning a scholarship finalized his decision.

"My main goal is to fine-tune the basic knowledge I attained during undergraduate studies," Cline said. "They won't have any qualms about hiring you when you get out (with a doctorate)."

Like Cline, Racheal Aronson had been toying with the idea of getting her doctorate degree for many years. She said she is looking forward to the "chance to get more experience in the field" of special education.

Cline said he believes in some cases, a doctorate is almost a requirement for employment. In Kidd's case, Cline said the need for a doctorate in pursuing a government job is "a given."

Cline attributes Penn State's high ranking to the time and money the University puts into research, he said.

Graduate Student Association President Ken Martin is also getting a political science graduate degree.

"I would like to teach at a university, and a Ph.D is just about a requirement to teach at any major university," Martin said.

David Jensen, an adviser for aerospace engineering students, said engineers go on to earn doctorates because of "the recognition that technology in our society is advancing so fast."

The "Summary Report 1988, Doctoral Recipients from United States Universities" reported the number of doctoral graduates from 1986 to 1988. During that time, 694 Penn State undergraduates went on to earn doctoral degrees.

Martin said Penn State ranks fifth because of opportunities for undergraduates to work with graduates as well as the University Scholars Program.

"It shows that Penn State has good undergraduate programs and a wide variety of programs," said Martin.

Gail Jamon, an adviser for freshman and sophomores, said Penn State's ranking "shows what quality we have in our undergraduate programs. It's really a feather in our cap."

Doctoral degrees from specific fields were also ranked in the report with respect to all universities in the United States. Penn State ranked second in education, fourth in life sciences, ninth in social sciences, ninth in engineering, ninth in professional fields and eleventh in physical sciences.

"Our student population is enormously diverse, but the quality of programs in our academic colleges and the demands of those majors keep our graduates competitive," said C. Gregory Knight, vice provost and dean for undergraduate education, in a statement.