Guide for Physics Majors

What Is Physics?


Physics deals with everything from subatomic particles to black holes and the overall structure of the universe. Physicists use mathematical formulas to try to explain their theories and make predictions. It is a science that has attracted and confounded some of the most brilliant minds of all time: Sir Isaac Newton, Albert Einstein, and Stephen Hawking, to name just a few.

But physics is also concerned with how things work on a more tangible level. The laws of physics are applied to fields such as engineering, communications, biology, and electronics. The development of technologies like lasers and semiconductors resulted from pioneering work in physics. Televisions, microwaves and digital cameras would not exist without breakthroughs in physics.


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What Does a Physics Professional Do?

Nearly 90 percent of all "physicists" are working in medicine, education, industry, or other professions. Physicists are in demand for their analytical skills in many financial, fund management and research roles, in law, as weather forecasters, computer programmers and as physics and science teachers.

Job descriptions are difficult to quantify in this field. The physicist might work in a laboratory, designing materials for computer chips or smashing atomic particles. Physicists have orbited the Earth and explored the oceans. They also build instruments that diagnose disease; they develop better and more efficient fuels for cars and homes; they calculate the movement of Arctic glaciers, and they create smaller, faster electronic components for computers.

Some physicists in research and development, especially those employed at universities, help increase our overall scientific knowledge. More often, they conduct research for government agencies or for private sector companies to develop new devices for the marketplace. They also design equipment or find new uses for older technology.

Medical physicists have greatly enhanced the well being of patients through the application of physics. Such advances as computer tomography, laser treatments for cancer, and the X-ray have improved health care over the years and led to more effective diagnosis and treatment of medical ailments.

Those professionals who do actually become physicists most often work regular hours in a laboratory where they plan and conduct experiments, build models for study, and examine test results. But this work can extend beyond the laboratory. Often, physicists must report on their results in lectures or through academic papers. They also might be responsible for finding the grant money that funds their work. These efforts require extensive skills in oral and written communications.

Job openings in universities and industry are increasing, thanks partly to a wave of retirements by senior physicists who entered the job market in the early 1960s. However, growth in academic jobs for physicists is expected to remain slower than average. Physics majors will continue to be in strong demand in industry, especially in the areas of information technology and semiconductor technology.

Physics graduates tend to split evenly between the workforce and graduate school. More than half of those students who return to graduate school decide to major in physics or astronomy. After those, the most popular graduate programs are in engineering, math, medicine, law, and education. Just over a quarter of all physics graduates who earn a bachelor's degree go to work in the private sector. Other career options include high school teaching, government, and the military.

For High School Students: Preparing for Your Career Education in Physics

Anyone planning to study physics in college should prepare at the high school level with a curriculum that is heavy in algebra classes, with some calculus and trigonometry where possible. Math skills are essential, but science classes are an important part of preparing, too.

Students who plan to use physics as a launch pad into another career should consider the types of classes that will be appropriate for their long-term objectives. For instance, English literature classes combined with writing and public speaking classes are helpful for nearly any career. Business management, economics, or accounting classes will be useful for scientists who want to compete in the business world.

Education counselors also recommend that students get more familiar with the applications of physics by reading common introductory works. Some recommended books are "The Elegant Universe" by Brian Greene, "A Brief History of Time" by Stephen Hawking, and "Flying Circus of Physics" by Jearl Walker.

Take advantage of any opportunity to get involved in extracurricular activities and expose yourself to as much science as possible. Science fairs are an excellent way to gain practical experience. Admissions counselors prefer to recruit students who demonstrate leadership abilities by volunteering to head up school clubs. Leadership qualities are even more important for students who want to go on to graduate school.

Find adults who have experience or an interest in physics, including your teachers. Having a mentor to talk to about physics or ask questions plays an important role in your professional development. Get to know your teachers and professors.

Is an Advanced Degree Needed to Work in Physics?

Nearly a third of physics students choose to double-major, with math being the most common focus. This is usually because only a few extra classes beyond those required for the physics degree are needed for the additional math degree. But math is not the only option. Some of the other most common double majors are science degree programs such as computer science, astronomy, and chemistry. Education degrees and teaching certifications are required for aspiring science or physics instructors.

Some schools have two options in their bachelor's degree programs. One prepares the student who wants to get a graduate degree and become a theoretical physicist. The other is for those who just want to develop essential skills to enter another career. A bachelor's degree is typically the only requirement for the latter option.

A master's degree or doctorate is required for teaching university-level physics, or for top-level research in private industry or in government labs. Most professionals who go into this type of research have doctorates. Graduate degrees require concentrated study in a particular area of the student's choosing. Online physics degrees have become more popular among working professionals who are ready to further their educational credentials. In an online physics degree, topics of study might include beam physics, health physics, radiation biology, and physics education.

Graduates with bachelor's degrees have reported that people skills are an essential part of their work activities. Much of their time is spent on activities that have nothing to do with science, such as teamwork, dealing with clients, managing projects, technical writing, making presentations, and training people. The physics major who has not mastered communication skills will be ill-prepared for the job market.

Learn more about physics degree programs offered at these sponsored universities:

DeVry University, Kaplan University, & University of Phoenix

What Can You Do With a College Degree in Physics?

The answer most appropriate for this question is: anything she wants to do. However, while some physics majors go on to become professional physicists, the majority pursue careers in fields where they can put their knowledge to more practical applications. With their skills in problem-solving, mathematical reasoning, computer programming, and organizing and interpreting scientific data, physics grads can move into government and industrial jobs that require an ability to think logically and creatively. Physics majors are well-suited to jobs that require step-by-step problem solving using math skills and good observational and communication skills.



A student with an interest in physics and communications might consider telecommunications, television, image analysis, video recording, photography, laser technology, journalism, scientific writing and publishing. Other non-technical careers in which physics majors have found success are law, business administration, sports, marketing and business management.

Besides astronomy, space and earth science careers for physics majors include space technology, atmospheric sciences, energy and resources and ocean sciences. Openings in environmental sciences and physics would include positions studying noise control, pollution control, conservation, radiation protection, and environmental monitoring.

Despite the important and intriguing specialties available to physicists, the vast majority of physics majors enter other professions. They may teach high school physics, perform research and development in private industry or in government labs, or lend their expertise to medical imaging, scientific book publishing, and scientific reporting. Physics careers can come from unexpected places. Insurance companies, for example, hire physicists to study the performances of the products they insure and make recommendations for reducing injuries and property loss.

A graduate with a master's degree in physics can do most of the above jobs but usually with a higher degree of responsibility and pay. They also have the opportunity to teach at community colleges. A PhD holder is more likely to become a university professor or researcher. Industries will also hire PhDs to oversee research projects for their companies and design new scientific instruments.

Planning for Your Physics Career

Physics is not a career for the dilettante. People considering a career in this demanding but rewarding profession should first ask themselves whether they are excited by physics, above and beyond other options, and whether they are good at it. This profession requires a strong commitment of time and effort. For those who want to succeed, the rewards can be plentiful, but the preparation depends on the direction in which one wants to go.

The student who plans to build a career as a physicist must make academic requirements his first priority. That means paying attention to grades, especially in math and science classes, and scoring high on the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) in preparation for graduate school. In addition, future physicists must build relationships with faculty members who can provide letters of recommendation. Courses in the major are more important than courses in other disciplines, because applications to graduate schools will be based more on those grades. However, academic advisers recommend building communication skills with writing, literature and speech communication courses.

If you want a career in government or industry, communication and interpersonal skills rate higher than physics or math grades. Much of your time will be spent writing and making presentations. Computer skills and courses in areas such as statistics, electronics, and applied physics are important, too. When interviewing with potential employers, you must be able to show you are a team player.

Those students who want to teach in high school should be aware that they will need a teaching certificate to teach in public schools. Courses in education are important, as are communication and interpersonal skills. You will improve your chances of being hired if you are also qualified to teach classes such as biology, general science, or math.

Financial companies like the skills and critical thinking abilities of physics majors. Anyone considering a career in this industry should take classes in statistics, accounting and economics. Banks, insurance companies and investment firms are interested in math and science majors.

Students who want to apply to a medical or dental school should speak with a premedical adviser early in their college careers to determine the supplemental courses such as biology and chemistry that will be needed for acceptance to medical school. A premed student is required to take about the same amount of class work in physics as in biology, and about one-quarter of the knowledge needed for a medical school entrance exam is based on physics.

Certification, Licensure, and Associations

No licensing is required for physicists, but anyone who plans to teach at a public elementary school or high school must receive a teaching certificate.

Professional Associations

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