WHAT CAN I DO WITH A MAJOR IN...

PHYSICS AND ASTRONOMY

www.sc.edu/career

phys·ics

The scientific study of matter and motion.*

*"physics." The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition. Houghton Mifflin Company, 2005. 05 Aug. 2009. <Dictionary.com http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/physics>.

as-tron-o-my

The scientific study of the universe beyond the earth, especially the observation, calculation, and theoretical interpretation of the positions, dimensions, distribution, motion, composition, and evolution of celestial bodies and phenomena.*

*"astronomy." The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition. Houghton Mifflin Company, 2004. 05 Aug. 2009. <Dictionary.com http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/astronomy>.

Physics And Astronomy Majors Study

Laws of matter, motion, heat, light and electricityThe universe beyond the earth, especially the observation, calculation, and theoretical interpretation of the positions, dimensions, distribution, motion, composition, and evolution of celestial bodies and phenomena

...And more

Specializations

• Bachelor's degree/entry level– Test engineer – Process engineer – Meteorologist – Industrial hygienist – Technical writer – Computer

systems engineer

• Further education required– Mathematician – Aerodynamist – Physicist – Physics

researcher– Astronomer – Astrophysicist

Most undergraduate programs offer a general course of study as well as many specializations that can be pursued with additional study. These include (but are not limited to):

Physics And Astronomy At The University Of South

CarolinaUndergraduate Degrees

Degrees: Bachelor of Science (BS)

Majors: • Physics• Engineering Physics

• The university also offers a Minors in Astronomy and Physics

Physics And Astronomy At The University Of South Carolina

Graduate Degrees

Master of Arts (MA)Master of Industrial Statistics (MIS)

Master of Sciences (MS)

Master of Mathematics (PM)

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

Physics And Astronomy Majors Develop Skills In

• Investigation– Define research

problems – Develop research

models – Establish hypotheses – Gather/analyze data – Evaluate ideas – See relationships among

factors

• Communication– Develop/write research

proposals – Review scientific

literature – Summarize research

findings – Inform, explain, instruct – Prepare technical reports – Draw meaningful

conclusions

Statistics Majors Develop Skills In

• Computational– Measure distances/

relationships – Perform

calculations– Mathematical

modeling – Maintain records – Utilize math

formulas

• Technical– Design equipment – Identify/classify

materials – Observe data – Establish

experimental designs – Use instruments

Employment

• For those interested in careers in research or industrial science, astronomy, meteorology, marine sciences, biophysics, geophysics or the health sciences, the B.S. degree in physics provides a good background for employment as lab technicians, field researchers and production assistants or for graduate study.

• Many physics and astronomy B.S. graduates continue study in graduate school, after which they may work as professional physicists in industry, universities or government laboratories.

Employment Settings

• Business & Commerce: Includes management and direction of for-profit organizations including the development of business plans, marketing strategies, product development, and human resource management.

Sample Occupational Titles Associated With Business &

Commerce

• Industrial Hygienist• Medical Products

Designer• Optical Device Designer• Automotive Engineer• Occupational Safety

Specialist

• Environmental Analyst• Nuclear Power Plant

Project Manager• Systems Analyst• Environmental Health

Specialist• Quality Control

Manager

Employment Settings

• Actual Field Work:Includes both studying and working with and in the actual field. Encompasses everything from management to hydrology

Sample Occupational Titles Associated With Actual Field

Work

• Acoustics Physicist• Agriculture Scientist• Atomic Physicist• Chemical Physicist• Nuclear Physicist• Astronomer• Hydrologist• Solid Earth Physicist

• Meteorologist• Physicist• Seismologist• Test Engineer• Aerospace Tester• Astrophysicist• Environmental Health

Specialist

Employment Settings

• Research:Includes technicians, researchers, and technologists. Also incorporates laboratory work and the education of peers.

Sample Occupational Titles Associated With Research

• Medical Products Designer

• Nuclear Physicist• Radiological Laboratory

Director• Stratigrapher• Technical Consultant• Aerodynamist• Astrophysicist• Biophysicist

• Science Laboratory Technician

• College/University Faculty

• Forensic Scientist• Physicist• Research Scientist• Seismologist• Test Engineer• Satellite Data Analysis

Employment Settings

• Education: Includes classroom instruction, curricula development, research, writing, administration, program management, and lecturing.

Teaching and research positions at colleges and universities require an advanced degree. Most other teaching positions require appropriate certification.

Sample Occupational Titles Associated With Education

• Administrator• Admissions Evaluator• Author/Writer• Career Counselor• College or University

Professor• Financial Aid Director• Guidance Counselor• Health Educator • Lecturer

• Primary School Teacher• Program Manager• Residence Hall Director• Secondary School

Teacher• Student Affairs

Professional • Text Writer• Medical Librarian

Employment Settings

• Health Services: Includes healing, both physical and mental, hospital/doctor’s office services, and some technician positions.

Most physician and counseling positions require the completion of a certification or advanced study program.

Sample Occupational Titles Associated With Health

Services• Dentist• Genetic Engineering

Researcher• Medical Laboratory

Technician• Physician• Dietitian/Nutritionist• Health Officer• Health Physicist• Biophysicist

• Medical Librarian• Pharmacy Technician• Medical Illustrator• Mortician• Nurse• Physical Therapist• Medical Products

Designer• Radiological Laboratory

Director• Medical Physicist

Other Occupational Settings For Physics And Astronomy

Majors

• Aircraft & instrument manufacturers

• Information technology companies

• Chemical manufacturers

• Production facilities• Defense manufacturing

companies• Testing labs• Health care facilities

• Research/Development departments

• Educational institutions• Scientific journals• Electrical equipment

companies• Technical consulting

firms• Engineering firms• Government Agencies

Strategies For Developing Skills To Get The Job You Want

• Pursue an excellent academic record

• Obtain part-time, summer, or internship work experience

• Volunteer with service and counseling organizations

• Become fluent in a foreign language

• Obtain an advanced degree and/or certification in order to perform substantive counseling work

• Obtain a minor in an additional area of interest (i.e. Language, business, education)

• Develop strong writing and speaking skills

Strategies For Developing Skills To Get The Job You Want

• Develop strong quantitative and statistical skills

• Become comfortable working with people from different backgrounds and cultures

• Acquire sales experience

• Become active in peer mediation groups if available

• Secure leadership positions in campus or community groups

• Obtain teaching certification

• Shadow the work of a professional

Books & Web Resources

Books

Alternative Careers in Science: Leaving the Ivory Tower by Cynthia Robbins Roth

Web Resources

Health Physics Employment Opportunities http://www.physics.isu.edu/radinf/jobs.htm

Curious About Astronomyhttp://curious.astro.cornell.edu/aboutus.php

Resources For More Information

USC’s Department of Physics and Astronomy www.physics.sc.edu/

Career Center Libraryhttp://www.sc.edu/career/Library/library.html

Physics and Astronomy Related Websites

http://www.sc.edu/career/la/physicsastro.html

College of Arts and Sciences Career Development Program

www.sc.edu/career/cascdp/index.html

Career Center Contact Information

University of South Carolina Career Center6th Floor, H. William Close Building (BA Building)Columbia, SC 29208Phone: (803) 777-7280On-call counseling without an appointment: M - F, 1:00 am - 4:00 pm (Summer and holiday hours may differ, please check the website at www.sc/edu/career)