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Among the many options are careers in teaching high school physics, research
and development in private industry, research in government labs, medical
imaging, scientific book publishing, and scientific reporting. A bachelor's
degree in physics is also an excellent preparation for admission to many
different graduate and professional schools.
Take a look at the
Physics Education & Employment Data for Bachelors Degree
compiled by the American Institute of Physics.
In addition to the options mentioned above, there are careers in teaching
college or university level physics, higher-level positions in basic and
applied research in private industry or in government labs, biomedical
research. There are even careers in the financial industry that require
modeling skills that are a natural part of graduate study in physics.
Take a look at the
Physics Education & Employment Data for Masters Degree
and for
Ph.D. Degree
compiled by the American Institute of Physics.
The BS degree includes a few more advanced physics courses as well as a
year-long senior research project. It is the preferred degree for application
to graduate schools in physics. Students who have a broad range of interests
and career options not limited to science may prefer to pursue a BA degree.
In Rhode Island and many other states, certification as a high school physics
teacher requires a degree in education and a BA degree in physics. URI
offers
a double major consisting of a
BA degree each in physics and education.
To teach physics at a private school, a BA
or BS degree in physics is generally sufficient.
It is not necessary to have taken calculus in high school but you should have
a solid background in algebra and trigonometry. To start taking physics in
your first college semester, you need to be adequately prepared to take at
least the first semester of calculus simultaneously.
A high score in the AP math exam would certainly qualify you to skip one
semester of calculus and possibly two. We generally recommend starting your
first college semester no higher than with Calculus 2 (MTH142 at URI). If
you intend to pursue a physics degree, we recommend that you not skip any
physics course even if you have the qualifications. Instead, we recommend that
you take the honors sequence during the first three semesters, which offers
enriched learning with many additional interactive features and small
classes.
Many physics students double major in math and physics; not too many
additional math courses are required above those necessary for the BS degree
in physics. We have recently established a dual degree in physics with
either
electrical engineering
or
mechanical engineering.
Oceanography is more general, encompassing many types of studies of the ocean
including the chemistry and biology of the ocean as well as the physics.
Physical oceanographers gather, analyze, and model data concerned with the
physical processes and aspects of the ocean such as the role of oceans in
global climate change, El Nino, the influence of the ocean on tropical
cyclones, deep ocean circulation, and geophysical turbulence and mixing.
Nowadays, there are a great many wonderful opportunities for summer
internships in physics in a variety of settings at many locations around the
country. Almost all will provide a summer stipend and many include living
accommodations as well.
For well-prepared and motivated physics students (both majors and non-majors)
we offer a 3-semester honors sequence featuring small classes, enriched
learning with advanced applications of course materials, and interesting and
challenging projects and assignments.
Check out the website of
the URI honors
program.
Contact the Undergraduate Program Director,
Professor Heskett.
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