Careers, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Ball State University

Careers in Physics and Astronomy

The Ball State University Department of Physics and Astronomy offers the following undergraduate majors:

Major in Physics - General Option: Preparation for Graduate School or Industry
Major in Physics - Applied Option: Preparation for Industry
Teaching Major in Physical Science: Certification for Teaching Physics and Chemistry
Pre-Engineering Major: Five-Year Program for Students who Transfer to Accredited Schools of Engineering

Following are some of the main fields of physics:

plasma physics particle physics
nuclear physics medical physics
condensed matter physics biophysics
acoustics atmospheric physics
optics and quantum optics atomic & molecular physics
geophysics astrophysics
physics education computational physics

The following is a partial list of academic, engineering, medical, and research positions currently held by Ball State University Physics and Astronomy bachelors and/or masters graduates. View more career updates at: http://www.aps.org/jobs/

Highest Degree Earned: Bachelors

Acoustical Engineer
Computer Analyst
Construction
Consulting Director
Contractor
Electrician
Entertainment Management
Firefighter/EMT
Health Actuary
High School Teacher
Information Technology Programmer
Instructional Designer
Marketing VP
Mechanical/Aero Engineer
Naval Aviation Depot Director
Network Specialist
Plating Engineer
Power Systems Technical Support
Program Manager
Radiation Monitor
Software Engineer
Systems Consultant
Test Engineer
Wide Area Network Engineer

Highest Degree Earned: Masters

Aerospace Engineer
Airline Pilot
Assoc Dir - Transportation Engineering Services
Business Development Director
Consulting Geologist
Design Manager
Electrical Engineer
Engineering Director
Environmental Consultant
Geophysicist Technical Support
High School Teacher
Insurance Agent
Manufacturing Engineer
Materials Engineer
Medical Physicist
Network System Analyst
Nuclear Safety Engineer Consultant
Optician
Planetarium Director
Programmer
Project Manager
R&D Materials Scientist
Radiation Therapy Physicist
Resource Supervisor
Restaurant Owner/Operator
Satellite Engineer
Software Engineer
Speech Pathologist
Technical Consultant
Technical Support Engineer

Highest Degree Earned: Doctoral

Engineer
Meteorologist
Operations Research Analyst
Optometrist
Physicist - Airline Company
Product Development
Systems Analyst - Optics
Technical Support Engineer
University Professor

More of the areas where Physics majors are working:

Environment
Global Positioning System
Lasers
Materials - plasma t.v.s, automotive, recreational
Medical Imaging

Employer distribution for full-time US physics bachelors (class of 1996-97):

Industry 70%
High School 9%
Military 7%
College/University 6%
Civilian Government 5%
Other 3%

http://www.aip.org/statistics/trends/states/state.htm

Type of employment of physics bachelors 5 to 7 years after earning their degrees (1999):

Software 28%
Engineering 17%
Science and Lab Technician 10%
Management, Owner & Finance 19%
Education 12%
Active Military 5%
Service & Other Non-Technical 9%

http://www.aip.org/statistics

Careers that make use of a background in physics or may be performed by physicists:

Engineering
Computer Science
Nuclear Medicine and Radiation Therapy
Medical Imaging (MRI, CAT, PET and
Ultrasound)
Oceanography
Patent Law
Communications
Archeology

Astronomers pursue an undergraduate degree in physics. Following is a list of positions (jobs) filled by astronomers:

Academic 60%
Observatories (Government and
Private) 30%
Museums, Public Information 5%
Business and Industry 5%

The American Institute of Physics Career Services Center is the leading career network for physics, engineering and related physical sciences. It connects industry, academic and government employers with the most qualified, career-minded professionals.

http://www.aip.org/careersvc/