Quarks, black holes, gravitational waves, nanotechnology and chaotic systems–discoveries like these make front-page news as physicists continue to learn about the universe’s fundamental structure. Studying how matter and energy behave, beginning physics majors and senior physicists alike find challenges and excitement in solving problems and discovering new concepts. Physicists in business and industry work with revolutionary technology, such as lasers, superconductors, and modern electronic and optical devices. Jobs in these fields are often in high demand and pay well.
Perhaps the most fundamental of all sciences, physics provides a background for understanding other scientific disciplines, as well as many aspects of everyday life. Physics principles are crucial to such diverse applications as home electrical wiring, the motion of a rocket or skydiver, solar energy, and an echocardiogram of the human heart. Thus, understanding physics helps us make sense of our world.
Careers
Many of the Physics and Astrophysics Majors go on to advanced degrees in Physics or related fields. The Department’s majors have been accepted by the nation’s best graduate schools. Other students go to work immediately. Graduates fill a variety of scientific and technical positions in business and industry, including research scientist, technical staff member or manager, technical salesperson or business owner. Others teach in high schools, community colleges or universities Some become medical physicists or physicians.