Wednesday 23 January 2013

What can I do with a degree in Physics?

By Louisa Osei


Physicists concentrate on researching the nature of the universe and anything in it, from the vast reaches of space down to the extremely tiny scale of subatomic particles.

These scientists observe and measure natural phenomena, interpret the outcomes, use mathematics to create theories to explain what they've observed, and then apply the knowledge they've gained to design new and innovative technologies.

Some physicists focus on theoretical subjects like understanding what time is, or how the universe originated.

Or they may turn their attention to practical applications, like creating more powerful electronic machinery, optical devices, and medical equipment.

Physicists typically decide on a specific subfield to specialize in, such as atomic and molecular physics, elementary particle physics, optics, nuclear physics, condensed matter physics, plasma physics, acoustics, or space physics.

And some physicists go even further and limit themselves to a subdivision of 1 of these subfields, such as the subdivisions of superconductivity, crystallography, and semiconductors within the subfield of condensed-matter physics.

Even so, it's important to keep in mind that all physics involves the same basic principles.

This means that there's a fair amount of overlap between the subfields, making it fairly easy for physicists to switch from one subfield to another as they pursue their careers.

Most physics jobs currently are focused on basic research and development which are areas that ordinarily demand a doctoral degree with its rigorous training in theory, methodology and mathematics.

Irrespective of whether a physics student wants to go into basic research, industrial research and development, become a tenured faculty member at a college or university, or advance to a managerial level, a Ph.D. in physics will normally be necessary.

Actually, anybody who wants to follow a career in basic research in academia or government will most likely need postdoctoral education also.

Taking a job as a postdoctoral fellow under experienced physicists trains new PhD graduates to function in their field of specialization and increases their understanding of associated physics topics.

Actually, some employers, especially those in the information technology industry, strongly prefer to only hire individuals that have a number of years of postdoctoral experience.

Graduates who've a Master's degree in physics typically are not qualified to conduct basic research.

Rather, they may possibly find themselves working in many different jobs that demand a solid physics background, like positions in manufacturing or applied research and development.

A physics student who is particularly thinking about operating in the business sector within the field of applied research should really locate a master's degree training program that teaches the essential skills required for that career.

A Master's degree is also ordinarily sufficient to find a job as a teacher at a high school or perhaps a 2-year college, although a state teacher's certification may possibly also be required.

Students who only have a bachelor's degree in physics can't ordinarily work in basic research or teaching at the college level.

But physics graduates with a bachelor's degree can find jobs as technicians or research assistants in areas like software program development, database administrators, or computer system networking.

And some may qualify for applied research jobs in private industry or take on computer science jobs, including systems analysts or database administrators.

And some high school physics teaching positions are available for physics graduates with a bachelor's degree.




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