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Career Opportunities with a Major in Physics

Physicists are concerned with discovering basic principles governing the structure and behavior of matter, the generation and transfer of energy, and the interaction of matter and energy. Physicists conduct research into physical phenomena, develop theories and laws on the basis of observation and experiments, and devise methods for practical application of findings.

MSU Denver Department of Physics Website

Skills Related to Physics

• Ability to read and write articulately and analytically

• Ability to work well under pressure

• Ability to organize, analyze, and interpret scientific data

• Proficient in mathematics, reading, writing, memorization and speaking

• Aptitude for accurate details

• Ability to make critical observations and appropriate decisions

• Ability to operate computers to record and analyze physical science data

• Ability to explain physical science concepts

• Ability to work as a member of a physical science team

• Ability to research physical sciences

• Analyzing and interpreting physical science data

• Preparing technical or research reports

Potential Careers in Physics

Download Physics PDF

The following list is a representative sample of job titles for individuals with a Physics major. The list represents some, but certainly not all, careers which Physics majors may consider.

Some of these jobs also require education beyond a bachelor's degree.

Employers in Physics

• Atomic/Nuclear Labs

• Engineering Firms

• Government Agencies

• Manufacturing/Processing Firms

• Military

• Nuclear Plants

• Patent Law Firms

• Petroleum Companies

• Professional Journals

• Research Firms

• Technical Journals

• Technical Libraries
  
  

Web Sites Related to Physics

• MSU Denver Department of Physics Website

• American Institute of Physics

• Eric Weisstein's World of Physics

• Physlink.com

• PhysicsWorld.org

• Jobs.NewScientist.com
  
  

Professional Organizations in this Field

• American Association of Physicists in Medicine

  http://www.aapm.org/

• American Geophysical Union

  http://www.agu.org

• American Institute of Physics

  http://www.aip.org

• American Meteorological Society

  http://www.ametsoc.org

• American Nuclear Society

  http://www.ans.org

• American Physical Society

  http://www.aps.org

• Environmental and Engineering Geophysical Society

  http://www.eegs.org/

• Society for Chaos Theory

  http://www.societyforchaostheory.org

The above information is collected from alumni surveys of numerous colleges, professional associations, and multiple print and online resources.