Physicist Education Requirements and College Degree Information
Physicists study the universe by examining matter, particles, energy and movement. Physicist positions are often research intensive and applicants are required to hold a Ph.D. in Physics. Related careers are available for those with undergraduate or master's degrees in physics.
Career Overview
A physicist is a scientist who studies motion and energy. It is a research-intensive position that uses math to develop theories and principles. Many physicists work in a lab with special equipment, such as particle accelerators. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the majority of physicist work in scientific research companies, followed by the federal government and higher education institutes (www.bls.gov). Most physicists have a Ph.D. in physics; however master's and bachelor's degrees in physics may qualify individuals for related careers in physics.
Education Requirements
A graduate who holds a bachelor's degree in physics may be able to secure a position as a physicist's research assistant or enter into a related field such as computer science. A master's degree in physics provides more employment options in manufacturing and applied research areas that do not require a Ph.D.
Terminal master's degree programs in physics offer students various concentration areas. Some common concentration areas include accelerator physics, solid state physics and elementary fields and particles. Some master's degree programs may also allow a student to choose a secondary education option, which qualifies graduates to teach at a public high school.This secondary education option includes a teaching experience practicum that is supervised by a state licensed, physics teacher.
A Ph.D. in Physics is the highest degree in the field and can take up to four years or longer to complete. The duration of a student's enrollment depends largely on how quickly he or she is progressing with the research and the writing of a dissertation. Like a master's degree in physics, doctoral students are expected to focus on a particular aspect of physics and develop a research proposal, which culminates in the submission of a dissertation and its defense. Core courses in graduate-level physics programs cover areas such as electromagnetic theory, quantum mechanics, statistical physics and classical mechanics. Elective courses vary and depend largely on the interests of a student.
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Other Schools:
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School locations:
- Iowa (1 campus)
Areas of study you may find at Iowa State University include:
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- Graduate: Doctorate, First Professional Degree, Master
- Undergraduate: Bachelor
- Physical Sciences
- Chemistry Sciences
- Forestry and Wildlands Management
- Natural Resources Conservation
- Physical and Environmental Science
- Physics
- Nuclear Physics
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School locations:
- Michigan (2 campuses)
Areas of study you may find at University of Michigan include:
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- Graduate: Master
- Post Degree Certificate: Postbaccalaureate Certificate
- Undergraduate: Bachelor
- Physical Sciences
- Chemistry Sciences
- Natural Resources Conservation
- Physical and Environmental Science
- Physics
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School locations:
- Florida (1 campus)
Areas of study you may find at University of South Florida include:
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- Graduate: Doctorate, First Professional Degree, Master
- Undergraduate: Associate, Bachelor
- Physical Sciences
- Chemistry Sciences
- Natural Resources Conservation
- Physical and Environmental Science
- Physics
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School locations:
- Texas (1 campus)
Areas of study you may find at Texas Tech University include:
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- Graduate: Doctorate, First Professional Degree, Master
- Undergraduate: Bachelor
- Physical Sciences
- Chemistry Sciences
- Forestry and Wildlands Management
- Natural Resources Conservation
- Natural Resources Management
- Physical and Environmental Science
- Physics
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School locations:
- Michigan (1 campus)
Areas of study you may find at Grand Valley State University include:
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- Graduate: Master
- Undergraduate: Bachelor
- Physical Sciences
- Chemistry Sciences
- Natural Resources Conservation
- Physical and Environmental Science
- Physics
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School locations:
- Arizona (1 campus)
Areas of study you may find at Northern Arizona University include:
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- Graduate: Doctorate, Master
- Non-Degree: Certificate
- Post Degree Certificate: Postbaccalaureate Certificate
- Undergraduate: Bachelor
- Physical Sciences
- Chemistry Sciences
- Forestry and Wildlands Management
- Natural Resources Conservation
- Physical and Environmental Science
- Physics
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School locations:
- Washington (1 campus)
Areas of study you may find at University of Washington include:
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- Graduate: Doctorate, First Professional Degree, Master
- Undergraduate: Bachelor
- Physical Sciences
- Chemistry Sciences
- Forestry and Wildlands Management
- Natural Resources Conservation
- Physical and Environmental Science
- Physics
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School locations:
- Virginia (1 campus)
Areas of study you may find at Virginia Commonwealth University include:
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- Graduate: Doctorate, First Professional Degree, Master
- Non-Degree: Diploma
- Post Degree Certificate: Postbaccalaureate Certificate
- Undergraduate: Bachelor
- Physical Sciences
- Chemistry Sciences
- Natural Resources Conservation
- Physical and Environmental Science
- Physics
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School locations:
- Florida (1 campus)
Areas of study you may find at University of Florida include:
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- Graduate: Doctorate, First Professional Degree, Master
- Post Degree Certificate: Post Master's Certificate
- Undergraduate: Associate, Bachelor
- Physical Sciences
- Chemistry Sciences
- Forestry and Wildlands Management
- Natural Resources Conservation
- Physical and Environmental Science
- Physics
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School locations:
- Ohio (1 campus)
Areas of study you may find at University of Cincinnati include:
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- Graduate: Doctorate, First Professional Degree, Master
- Non-Degree: Certificate, Coursework
- Post Degree Certificate: Post Master's Certificate
- Undergraduate: Associate, Bachelor
- Physical Sciences
- Chemistry Sciences
- Natural Resources Conservation
- Physical and Environmental Science
- Physics
