Physicists and Astronomers attack problems concerned with how the universe works on size scales which range from the smallest subatomic particles to the entire universe. We are deeply concerned with the interaction of matter and energy and we seek to discover the basic laws governing this behavior. We use these principles to increase our knowledge of nature and the world, and we work in areas which range from the abstract and mathematical, through basic experimental research, to applied areas such as the development of new materials, electronic and optical devices, medical equipment, and other products.
We and our students design and perform experiments with lasers, high-energy particle accelerators, electron microscopes, spectrometers, magnetic resonance devices, large telescopes, earth satellites and other equipment. Our research projects are often individual or small team efforts, but a good number of us work on large projects which involves teams of scientists from many laboratories and universities.
Based on observations and analysis, we attempt to discover the concepts and laws that describe the forces of nature, such as gravity, the structure of galaxies, electromagnetism, properties of solids and surfaces, nuclear structure and elementary particle interactions.
We also seek ways to apply these physical concepts to problems in nuclear energy, electronics, optics, materials, communications, aerospace technology, and medicine. For instance, basic research in physics led to the development of transistors, integrated circuits, computers, television, cell phones, lasers, magnetic resonance imagers, electron microscopes, x-ray machines, and superconductors.
Some of our research is done in well-equipped, small or medium-size laboratories at Rutgers, while experiments in areas such as astronomy, nuclear physics and elementary particle physics take advantage of very large, national and international facilities such as Fermilab in Illinois, the Stanford Linear Accelerator in California, the Jefferson Laboratory in Virginia, Brookhaven National Laboratory on Long Island and the Large Hadron Collider under construction in Europe.
Some of us are astronomers and astrophysicists. We build instruments for our work at observatories around the world and from orbiting satellites, and we use the principles of physics and mathematics to learn about the nature and origin of the universe, including the black holes, galaxies and the Big Bang. We are now partnering with several other universities and the South African government to build near Capetown, the largest astronomical telescope in the southern hemisphere.
We offer a comprehensive sequence of undergraduate courses in physics and astronomy with flexible options for students with varied career goals. Our program extends beyond the professional majors in physics and astronomy. Many students who get a B.A. or B.S. degree in our department go on to other careers such as medical school, law school (patent law), journalism (science writing), high school (science teaching) computers or engineering, for which this degree is excellent preparation.
In addition to their regular course work, undergraduate students are encouraged by our department to participate in the varied research activities under way at Rutgers. It is not unusual for our undergraduates to do original research and to co-author articles published in the most prestigious professional journals. Students who complete a B.A. degree from Rutgers Physics and Astronomy are welcome at the most prestigious graduate schools in these fields.
Physicists often work regular hours in laboratories and offices. At times, however, those who are deeply involved in research may work long or irregular hours. Most do not encounter unusual hazards in their work. Some physicists work away from home temporarily at national or international facilities with unique equipment such as particle accelerators. Astronomers who make observations may travel to observatories, which are usually in remote locations, and routinely work at night.
Physicists and astronomers held nearly 21,000 jobs in 1992. Also, a significant number held physics or astronomy faculty positions in colleges and universities. (See the statement on college and university faculty elsewhere in the Handbook.) About two-fifths of all nonfaculty physicists worked for research, development, and testing laboratories in industry. The Federal Government employed almost one- fifth, mostly in the Departments of Defense and Commerce and in the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Others worked in colleges and universities in nonfaculty positions and for aerospace firms, noncommercial research laboratories, electrical equipment manufacturers, engineering services firms, and the transportation equipment industry.
Although physicists are employed in all parts of the country, most work in areas that have universities and large research and development laboratories.
Training, Other Qualifications, and Advancement
A doctoral degree is the usual educational requirement for physicists and astronomers, because most jobs are in research and development or in teaching at large universities or 4-year colleges.
Those having bachelor's or master's degrees in physics are generally qualified to work in an engineering-related area or other scientific fields, to work as technicians, or to assist in setting up laboratories. Some may qualify for applied research jobs in private industry or nonresearch positions in the Federal Government, and a master's degree often suffices for teaching jobs in 2-year colleges. Astronomy bachelor's degree holders often enter a field unrelated to astronomy, but they are also qualified to work in planetariums running science shows or to assist astronomers doing research. (See statements on engineers, geologists and geophysicists, computer programmers, and computer scientists and systems analysts elsewhere in the Handbook.)
About 750 colleges and universities offer a bachelor's degree in physics. The undergraduate program provides a broad background in the natural sciences and mathematics. Typical physics courses include mechanics, electromagnetism, optics, thermodynamics, atomic physics, and quantum mechanics.
About 180 colleges and universities have physics departments which offer Ph.D. degrees in physics. Graduate students usually concentrate in a subfield of physics such as elementary particles or condensed matter. Many begin studying for their doctorate immediately after their bachelor's degree.
About 72 universities offer the Ph.D. degree in astronomy, either through an astronomy department, a physics department, or a combined physics/astronomy department. Applicants to astronomy doctoral programs face keen competition for available slots. Those planning a career in astronomy should have a very strong physics background in fact, an undergraduate degree in physics is excellent preparation, followed by a Ph.D. in astronomy.
Mathematical ability, computer skills, an inquisitive mind, imagination, and the ability to work independently are important traits for anyone planning a career in physics or astronomy. Prospective physicists who hope to work in industrial laboratories applying physics knowledge to practical problems should broaden their educational background to include courses outside of physics, such as economics, computer technology, and current affairs. Good oral and written communication skills are also becoming increasingly important.
Most Ph.D. physics and astronomy graduates choose to take a postdoctoral position, which is helpful for those who want to continue research in their specialty and for those who plan a career teaching at the university level. Beginning physicists, especially those without a Ph.D., often do routine work under the close supervision of more senior scientists. After some experience, they are assigned more complex tasks and given more independence. Physicists who develop new products or processes sometimes form their own companies or join new firms to exploit their own ideas.
A large proportion of physicists and astronomers are employed on research projects, many of which, in the past, were defense related. Expected reductions in defense-related research and an expected slowdown in the growth of civilian physics-related research will cause employment of physicists and astronomers to decline through the year 2005. Since the number of doctorates granted in physics is not expected to decrease much from present levels, competition is expected for the kind of research and academic jobs that those with new doctorates in physics have traditionally sought.
Although research and development budgets in private industry will continue to grow, many research laboratories in private industry are expected to reduce basic research, which is where much physics research takes place, in favor of applied research and product and software development. Furthermore, although the number of retiring academic physicists is expected to increase in the late 1990's, it is possible that many of them will not be replaced or will be replaced by faculty in other disciplines.
Persons with only a bachelor's degree in physics are not qualified to enter most physicist jobs. However, many find jobs as high school physics teachers and in engineering, technician, mathematics, and computer-and environment- related occupations. (See the statements on these occupations elsewhere in the Handbook.) Also, those with advanced degrees in physics will find their skills transferable to many other occupations.
Starting salaries for physicists averaged about $30,000 a year in 1992 for those with a bachelor's or master's degree, and about $41,000 for those with a doctoral degree, according to the College Placement Council.
The American Institute of Physics reported a median salary of $65,000 in 1992 for its members with Ph.D.'s. Those working in 4-year colleges (9-10 months a year) earned the least $43,000 while those employed in industry and hospitals earned the most $71,500 and $78,000, respectively.
Average earnings for physicists in nonsupervisory, supervisory, and managerial positions in the Federal Government in 1993 were $61,956 a year, and for astronomy and space scientists, $65,709.
The work of physicists and astronomers relates closely to that of other scientific and mathematics occupations such as chemist, geologist, geophysicist, and mathematician. Engineers and engineering and science technicians also use the principles of physics in their work.
Sources of Additional Information
General information on career opportunities in physics is available from:
American Institute of Physics, American Center for Physics, 1 Physics Ellipse, College Park, MD 20740.
For a pamphlet containing information on careers in astronomy and on schools offering training in the field, send your request to:
American Astronomical Society, Education Office, University of Texas, Department of Astronomy, Austin, TX 78712-1083.
This is a section of the 1994-95 OCCUPATIONAL OUTLOOK HANDBOOK produced by the US Dept. of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics. These files are in the public domain and may be freely reproduced. Source CD-ROM SuDoc: L 2.3/4-4:994-95