Results of the American Institute of Physics' 1982-1983 survey of physics and astronomy bachelor's degree recipients are examined. The information was obtained from individual degree recipients and focuses on their postbaccalaureate plans. Highlights of the findings are as follows: a five-percent increase over 1981-1982 occurred in the total number of physics bachelor's degrees, which was the largest number of graduates in 10 years; the number of astronomy bachelors comprised the smallest total since the mid-1970s; a gradual increase in the ages at which physics students completed their bachelor's degrees was demonstated; a further increase in the proportion of physics bachelors who did not take physics in high school occurred; and a doubling of the proportion of physics bachelors who entered the military since 1973 was found. Data are included on the following: trends in postbaccalaureate plans of physics bachelors, 1973-1983; characteristics of new physics bachelors and of new astronomy bachelors; postbaccalaureate plans of U.S. and foreign minorities among the 1983 physics bachelors; selected characteristics of minority physics bachelors; changes in employment for new physics bachelors, 1973-1983; and postbaccalaureate plans of graduating classes of astronomy bachelors, 1975-1983. (SW)