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Career Details :: Physicists

Description

Conduct research into the phases of physical phenomena, develop theories and laws on the basis of observation and experiments, and devise methods to apply laws and theories to industry and other fields.

Experience

Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.

Education

A bachelor's degree is the minimum formal education required for these occupations. However, many also require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).

Training

Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.

Tasks

• Observes structure and properties of matter and transformation and propagation of energy, using masers, lasers, telescopes, and other equipment.
• Conducts instrumental analyses to determine physical properties of materials.
• Describes and expresses observations and conclusions in mathematical terms.
• Analyzes results of experiments designed to detect and measure previously unobserved physical phenomena.
• Conducts application analysis to determine commercial, industrial, scientific, medical, military, or other uses for electro-optical devices.
• Designs electronic circuitry and optical components with scientific characteristics to fit within specified mechanical limits and perform according to specifications.
• Conducts research pertaining to potential environmental impact of proposed atomic energy-related industrial development to determine qualifications for licensing.
• Consults other scientists regarding innovations to ensure equipment or plant design conforms to health physics standards for protection of personnel.
• Directs testing and monitoring of contamination of radioactive equipment and recording of personnel and plant area radiation exposure data.
• Advises authorities in procedures to be followed in radiation incidents or hazards and assists in civil defense planning.
• Incorporates methods for maintenance and repair of components and designs and develops test instrumentation and test procedures.
• Assists with development of manufacturing, assembly, and fabrication processes of lasers, masers, infrared, and other light-emitting and light-sensitive devices.
• Assists in developing standards of permissible concentrations of radioisotopes in liquids and gases.

Related Careers

• Astronomers
  
• Atmospheric and Space Scientists
  
• Geological Data Technicians
  
• Geologists
  
• Hydrologists
  
• Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers
  
• Petroleum Engineers
  
• Physics Teachers, Postsecondary
  

Important Abilities

• Written Comprehension
• Deductive Reasoning
• Written Expression
• Oral Expression
• Mathematical Reasoning

General Work Activities

• Getting Information Needed to Do the Job
• Analyzing Data or Information
• Processing Information
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
• Interpreting Meaning of Information to Others

Important Skills

• Science
  
• Mathematics
  
• Writing
  
• Active Learning
  
• Reading Comprehension
  

Frequent Work Context

• Indoors
• Consequence of Error
• Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
• Importance of Being Sure All Is Done
• Sitting

Related Majors

Major	Add to XapPack
Applied Physics	[ add ]
Astrogeophysics	[ add ]
Astronomy	[ add ]
Astronomy/Astrophysics	[ add ]
Astronomy/Physics	[ add ]
Astronomy/Planetary Sciences	[ add ]
Astrophysics	[ add ]
Biological Chemistry	[ add ]
Biology/Chemistry	[ add ]
Biology/Physics	[ add ]
Business/Chemistry	[ add ]
Chemical Physics	[ add ]
Chemistry	[ add ]
Chemistry Management	[ add ]
Chemistry/Applied Science	[ add ]
Chemistry/Biochemistry	[ add ]
Chemistry/Biology	[ add ]
Chemistry/Business Administration	[ add ]
Chemistry/Chemical Engineering	[ add ]
Chemistry/Computer Science	[ add ]
Chemistry/Engineering	[ add ]
Chemistry/Management	[ add ]
Chemistry/Medical Technology	[ add ]
Chemistry/Physics	[ add ]
Chemistry/Pre-Medicine	[ add ]
Clinical Chemistry	[ add ]
Earth Science	[ add ]
Earth Science Education	[ add ]
Earth Sciences	[ add ]
Earth/Atmospheric/Planetary Sciences	[ add ]
Earth/Environmental Science	[ add ]
Earth/Environmental Sciences	[ add ]
Earth/Planetary Sciences	[ add ]
Earth/Planetary Sciences/Meteorology	[ add ]
Earth/Planetary Sciences/Oceanography	[ add ]
Earth/Space Science	[ add ]
Earth/Space Sciences	[ add ]
Engineering/Physics	[ add ]
Environmental Sciences/Chemistry	[ add ]
Environmental Sciences/Geoscience	[ add ]
Geology/Chemistry	[ add ]
Geology/Physics	[ add ]
Geology/Planetary Science	[ add ]
Interdepartmental Biology/Chemistry	[ add ]
Interscience	[ add ]
Life/Earth Science	[ add ]
Mathematical Physics	[ add ]
Mathematics/Physics	[ add ]
Meteorology	[ add ]
Nuclear Physics	[ add ]
Physics	[ add ]
Physics/Astronomy	[ add ]
Physics/Civil Engineering	[ add ]
Physics/Computer Science	[ add ]
Physics/Electrical Engineering	[ add ]
Physics/Engineering	[ add ]
Physics/Mathematics	[ add ]
Physics/Mechanical Engineering	[ add ]
Physics/Mechanical/Aerospace Engineering	[ add ]
Physics/Philosophy	[ add ]
Planetary Science	[ add ]
Planetary/Space Sciences	[ add ]
Pre-Engineering Chemistry	[ add ]
Science of Earth Systems	[ add ]
Secondary Education/Earth/Space Sciences	[ add ]
Space Physics/Astronomy	[ add ]

Institutions Offering Related Majors

No institutions found.