Career Opportunities for Majors in Physics

A branch of the physical sciences, physics is the study of energy and the behavior of single atoms and their component pieces. Physicists are the most fundamental of scientists, for they examine the basic laws of nature. They seek to study and understand what happens when atoms and subatomic particles break down and assemble, how they react to collisions with each other and to electro-magnetic radiation. Physicists use mathematics to understand, explain and predict their theories and equations. They often apply their predictions and theories to other fields - chemistry, biology, geophysics, engineering, communication, transportation, electronics and health.

A physicist can be either an experimentalist or a theoretician. Almost all have doctorates, essential for college and university teaching and research, upper level research positions in government and industry, and higher administrative positions. Those with bachelors degrees may work in applied research and development as research assistants or in design, administration or engineering. Some specialized areas include: biophysics, health/medical physics, nuclear physics, optical physics, fluid physics and plasma physics.

The Physics Department offers two options, the professional option and the applied option, for students pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in physics. The general option leads to a Bachelor of Arts degree. The professional option is intended for students who, usually after graduate study, expect to become physicists in industrial or government research and development laboratories, or in teaching institutions. The applied option is intended for students who plan to pursue a technical career in physics or other technical areas, usually without further study. The general option is a flexible liberal arts program with physics as a major component for students who do not necessarily wish to become physicists.

Additionally, you may:
 

• Explore the career paths of RU Alumni Career Network mentors.
• Go to the Rutgers Online Career Planning Site to explore your interests, skills and values. Use the program for either: High School Students | College Students.
• Explore Rutgers University academic department information related to this major.
• See the Occupational Outlook Handbook for additional career information.
• Pick up your "Career Opportunities" handouts at any New Brunswick Career Services office.