|
Careers in
Physics
 American Institute of Physics Links
Who's Hiring
Physics Bachelors
A state-by-state listing of employers who recently hired new physics
graduates to fill technical and professional positions.
Employment Statistics
A source for data on education and employment in physics, astronomy and
allied fields.
Physics
Physics is the science that describes how the physical world works. It is
the most fundamental of all sciences. Other sciences build on physics.
Physicists conduct research into the fundamental laws of nature or make
use of what we already know about the physical world to design and develop
new practical products. As a career, physics offers an astonishing variety
of possibilities.
The world of the physicist stretches from the tiniest particles of
subatomic matter to galaxies and beyond. It includes computer circuitry and
spacecraft orbits, medical imaging and the search for controlled fusion
power. Some of the questions that physicists try to answer are deeply
philosophical: How did the universe begin? On a very small scale, does empty
space become "granular" or "foamy"? But many of the questions that
physicists deal with are highly practical: How can more information be
packed into a smaller space? What will be the effect of adding more carbon
dioxide to the atmosphere? Can chemical rockets be replaced by
electromagnetic launchers? How can solar cells be made more efficient?
Most modern technology rests on physics. Sometimes new knowledge is put
to work quickly. For example, many practical uses were found for the laser
soon after its invention. Sometimes new knowledge is slow to be harnessed.
In 1905 Albert Einstein explained how light can eject electrons from solid
surfaces. It was many years before this "photoelectric effect" found
application in television cameras.
Physics provides deep understanding of the laws of nature and will
continue to help shape the world of the future. Few careers are more
exciting, more rewarding, and more important to society than physics.
Where Physicists Work
Many physicists work in research laboratories -- in industry, in
universities, and in national laboratories -- but that is only a beginning
of a catalog of places where physicists can be found. Many teach in high
schools, colleges, and universities. Others can be found in hospitals, the
military, oil fields, power plants, in the astronaut corps, in museums, in
patent law firms, and in management positions in business and government. A
young person trained in physics acquires a set of skills that makes him or
her a valued employee in many settings.
Even students with career goals outside of science can be well served by
taking one or more courses in physics. The knowledge and skills gained in
physics can prove to be surprisingly useful in tackling other kinds of
problems. A background in physics can help a technical writer or a computer
programmer. It is an asset recognized by medical schools, law schools, and
business schools.
High School Preparation
Do you like mathematics? Do you like solving puzzles and other kinds of
problems? Are you interested in new discoveries in science? Do you enjoy
working with computers, or hope to work with them? If your answer to most of
these questions is yes, you may want to consider physics as a career or
simply as a field of study on which to base some other career.
Mathematics is the language of physics. If you have a flair for math,
very likely you will have a flair for physics. Take as much math as you can
--- algebra, trigonometry, and calculus if possible. Take at least one
course in physics if your high school offers it.
Some training in computer programming -- either in school or on your own
-- can also be valuable. Participation in science fairs is another way to
gain useful experience and to size up your own interest in science. Hobbies
and clubs can also help prepare you for future work in physics. With luck,
you might find an after-school job that will give you some valuable
experience.
The biggest myth about physics is that it is too difficult for all but
the next Einsteins. This is simply not true. Yes, physics can be
challenging, but so is anything that you study seriously. Many successful
physicists can tell you that they were not the top students in their
schools. What they had was interest and motivation.
College and University Studies
College courses in physics include both classroom work and laboratory
work. Students working toward bachelor's degrees may spend about 25 to 30
percent of their time in physics courses, and the rest in other areas,
including mathematics. Some chemistry and biology is usually recommended.
Most colleges wisely require students to take courses in other fields as
well. Physics students must study English and some other courses outside of
science.
In college, the first course in physics usually covers a broad range of
topics and uses some calculus. Later courses explore single areas of physics
in greater depth, often using more advanced mathematics. In advanced
laboratory courses, the physics student may encounter sophisticated
electronic equipment and may also have a chance to be part of a research
team.
Graduate students pursuing master's and doctoral degrees concentrate
fully on physics. The master's program typically takes two years and may
require a research project. An additional two to four years may be needed to
earn a Ph.D. An essential ingredient of a Ph.D. program is a major piece of
research (either theoretical or experimental) that is written up as the
doctoral dissertation. It often leads to papers published in physics
journals.
Jobs for Tomorrow
For research positions and for college and university teaching, the Ph.D.
degree is generally required. The job market for these positions is
currently fair to poor. High-school teachers, who need at least a bachelor's
degree, are likely to be in especially strong demand. If you are both
science-oriented and people-oriented, high-school physics teaching is a
career worth considering.
As might be expected, the starting salaries for physicists are higher at
the higher degree levels. At each degree level, the physicist commands a
higher salary than the average of his or her peers in other fields.
A physics course in high school or college lays the foundation for a wide
variety of fields. As a career, physics offers challenge, excitement, an
attractive salary, and a chance to make important contributions to society.
As a physicist, you will help shape the world of tomorrow.
Some Fields of Physics
Acoustics - the study of sound. An acoustical physicist could be
involved in, the design of a concert hall, stereos, or synthesizers.
Astrophysics - the extension of basic physics into the cosmos.
Astrophysicists study the life cycles of stars and the processes that gave
rise to our expanding universe at the moment of the "big bang."
Atomic physics - the study of atoms and their dynamical
properties. The use of lasers molecular beams, and high precision detectors
have made new discoveries possible in this area.
Biophysics - the application of physics to biological problems.
Biophysics includes studies of proteins and DNA at the Molecular level as
well as studies of the human body as a mechanical system and the design of
artificial limbs.
Chemical physics - the interface between physics and chemistry.
This area is important for the development of lasers and for the study of
surfaces polymers, and fluids.
Geophysics - the physics of the earth and planets, including
seismology (the study of earthquakes), hydrology (the study of water on and
below the surface), and volcanology (volcanoes).
Low-temperature physics - the study of phenomena such as super
conductivity and superfluidity that occur at temperatures near absolute
zero. Cryogenic (extreme low temperature) devices have practical importance
in generating magnetic fields and in circuits that will be needed in future
commuters.
Medical physics - the application of physics to medical practice,
including uses of radiation, ultrasound, and sophisticated imaging
techniques such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
Nuclear physics - the study of the nucleus of the atom, its
radioactivity (including medical applications), and nuclear energy. Tools of
the nuclear physicist include accelerators and nuclear reactors.
Optics - the study of light (including the invisible ultraviolet
and infrared radiation). Optical physicists often work with lasers and are
engaged in the optical transmission of information via thin fibers and in
the design of optical "circuits" for future computers.
Particle physics - the study of the smallest, most elemental
building blocks of nature and the basic forces of nature, The "microscopes"
of the particle physicist are enormous particle accelerators. (Particle
physics is also called high-energy physics.)
Physics education - Teachers experience the excitement and
fulfillment of educating others about all the fields of physics.
Plasma physics - the study of electrically charged (ionized)
gases, sometimes called the fourth state of matter beyond solids, liquids,
and gases. Plasma physicists are pursuing the possibility of controlled
thermonuclear energy on earth. They also contribute to astrophysics.
Rheology - the study of the flow of viscous (thick, sticky)
materials and mixtures of materials. The interests of rheologists include
the flow of blood in the body, the flow of materials in a food-processing
plant, and the flow of Arctic glaciers.
Solid-state physics - the study and application of the electric,
magnetic, optical, and acoustic properties of solid matter. Integrated
circuits are the product of solid state physics.
Vacuum physics - the study and applications of vacuums, volumes
nearly free of matter. Vacuums are important in many manufacturing processes
and in experimental devices such as accelerators. |
