Why study Physics?
About 2,500 years ago Thales of Miletus sat in a cave high above the shore of the Mediterranean sea. This cave was visited by Greeks when they wished to meditate and to commune with the spirits. While meditating, Thales asked, " What is the nature of things? " The Greek word he used for " nature " was " physis " . It was with that question that one might say that physics as a study of nature began. Indeed, physicist Gerald Holton has described the impetus for the study of nature that grew out of Thale's question as " the Ionian Enchantment " named for the Ionian Sea, which is a branch of the Mediterranean. The Ionian Enchantment is the desire to understand nature at a fundamental level. That desire drives all of science, and most particularly, it lies at the heart of physics. Most of us study physics because we are motivated by the same burning desire that drove Thales to seek answers to the " physis " of things. In fact, the burning desire to understand nature is the sine qua non of physics study. One must have that desire in order to propel one through the years of hard work and training required in order to tackle fundamental questions about nature and to persevere when problems appear intractable. The fire burns brightly in most physicists throughout their careers as most of them say that they would eagerly major in physics again if they had it to do all over. If you have that burning desire to learn about nature at a fundamental level, then you should consider majoring in physics.
Read more about our physics program in this brochure .
Carreers in Physics
Physics is a broad-based subject of basic cumulative knowledge. Every degree in physics - bachelor's, master's , or Ph.D - is special
and all degrees are worthy. With a proper physics education students develop
quantitative, analytical, and technical
skills that are widely applicable throughout the science and technology based employment sector. Physicists pursue a diverge
range of careers: in the computer sciences, telecommunications, solid-state and semiconductor industries, optics, photonics,
aerospace, energy industries, and many more. Physicists enjoy careers in engineering, chemistry, life sciences, and geological
sciences. Physicists also work in medicine, law-based organizations, news and media outlets, and financial and management
consulting firms. Many physicists are managers, company owners, and entrepreneurs. Physicists work in government. They work in
the military. And of course, physicists pursue careers in all levels of the educational system. Clearly, the careers of
physicists are legion. Survey data shows that physicists do their jobs well in these environments.
In terms of salaries, physicists are highly paid in all sectors of employment. Despite the slump in the economy, the salaries of
PhD physicists in the US grew significantly faster than inflation from 2000 to 2006. In 2006, the median salary for PhD survey
respondents (survey conducted by American Institute of Physics) was $97 700. Those working in the hospitals
and medical services had the highest median salary $135 000, followed by $110 000 for physicists at federally funded R&D centers.
The lowest median salary was reported by those working in a 4-year colleges with 9 - 10 months contract, at $60 000.
You now need to decide if you want to pursue physics and become a physicist. However, you need to pay a price: you have
to work very hard to do well in physics. Physics will give you a lot but it also wants a lot of effort from you.