Career Profiles: Physics

CSULB Department of Physics

Physics has twin aims: (1) To understand the workings of the physical universe and its parts in detail, and (2) to apply understanding of physical phenomena in useful ways in the realms of physics, other sciences, and engineering. Physics proceeds through experimentation, observation, analysis and interpretation (usually mathematical) and further experimentation. Most physicists specialize in one or more branches of the science: elementary particle (high energy) physics, nuclear physics, atomic, electron, and molecular physics, condensed matter physics, optics (including lasers), acoustics, plasma physics, astrophysics and cosmology. Physicists usually specialize in theoretical or experimental areas. In addition, many physicists work in such applied or interdisciplinary areas as microelectronics, communications, medical physics, biophysics, power production systems, space science and geophysics.

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Career Possibilities:

Additional experience and/or education may be required

  • Aerospace Engineer
  • Astronomer
  • Carbon Trader
  • Computer Engineer
  • Computer programmer
  • Computer scientist
  • Consulting
  • Cost Estimator
  • Crime and Intelligence Analyst
  • Electro-Optical Engineer
  • Financial Analyst
  • Food and Drug Inspector
  • Geophysicist
  • Hydrologist
  • Industrial Health Engineer
  • Light and Optics Specialist
  • Logistician
  • Materials Researcher
  • Mathematician
  • Metallurgist
  • Meteorologist
  • Nuclear Physicist
  • Oceanographer
  • Physical Scientist
  • Physicist
  • Physicist Technician
  • Power Plant Operators
  • Quality Control Specialist
  • Scientific Apparatus Salesperson
  • Survey Researcher
  • Systems Analyst
  • Teach
  • Water Reclamation Specialist
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Where Employed:

  • Aerospace companies
  • Aircraft manufacturers
  • Automobile manufacturers
  • Colleges and universities
  • Computer hardware/Software manufacturers
  • Consulting firms
  • Department of Energy
  • Electrical manufacturers
  • Government agencies
  • Hospitals and clinics
  • Medical laboratories
  • Military services
  • Petroleum industry
  • Research institutes
  • Steel/metals industry
  • Telephone/cable industry
  • Utilities
  • Waste management firms
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