Why Physics?
We study physics because we are curious about the physical universe and we are problem solvers. However, only about 10% end up as ``physicists''. We are so versatile that many end up as, e.g.,
- computer scientists
e.g., Sir Tim Berners-Lee, creator of the World Wide Web, has a BS in Physics - engineers
e.g., physicist John Bardeen (only two-time Nobel prize winner in physics) worked as an engineer at Bell Labs where he co-invented the transistor - medical doctors
do you know that physics majors do better than biology majors on the MCAT test which is required to enter medical school? We have at least 3 alumni who are now MDs - politicians
e.g., Hon. Vernon J. Ehlers (R-Michigan) just retired from the US Congress has a PhD in Physics from Berkeley; the current Chancellor of Germany, Dr. Angela Markel, is a nuclear physicist; the 3rd President of Albania, Dr. Rexhep Meidani, has a PhD in Physics - university presidents
e.g., the president of Purdue, Dr. Frances Cordova, is an astrophysicist and of RPI, Dr. Shirley Jackson, is a nuclear physicist - Wall Street analysts
physicists are often employed by investment banks as quantitative analysts (quants) or as ``derivative geeks''.
Good money?
As the chart below shows, people with a physics degree are in the top ten pay scales.
Average starting salaries for professionals with bachelor's degree in a
science- or mathematics-related field: biological sciences $28,066;
chemistry $36,823; environmental studies $28,236; geology $35,687;
mathematics $41,295; and physics $39,872.
(Source: Salary Survey Summer 2000 The National Association of Colleges and
Employers)
Medical school?
The 1997-9 MCAT scores revealed that the median score in the biology portion of the MCAT for physical sciences majors is the same as those who major in the biological sciences, but that the median score in the physics portion of the MCAT is higher than for physics majors than for biological sciences majors. Hence, there are data that physics majors generally do better at MCAT than biology majors.
Physics teacher?
The PhysTEC project has produced a video to excite and inspire physics majors to pursue careers in teaching. Click below to view the 5 min video.
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