EXPLORING MAJORS
PHYSICS
http://sa.gmu.edu/orgs/index.php
Name and description of the field:
Physics describes how the physical world works. The most fundamental of the natural sciences, it is the basis for the
other sciences. Its field of interest is nature at all size scales from the sub-atomic to the entire universe and on all time
scales from the conceivable beginning to the potential end of time itself. Physicists investigate the fundamental laws of
nature or apply the knowledge thus gained to design, develop, and evaluate new products and technologies. A physics
degree opens a great variety of career possibilities.
What special skills or abilities are needed to succeed in this major?
The potential to think logically and quantitatively is essential; physical intuition and geometrical sense are very helpful.
If both B.A. and B.S. degrees are offered, what are the differences in career/graduate school opportunities?
Only the BS degree is offered
Is it possible to minor in Physics?
Yes.
What are recent graduates doing?
Recent graduates have gone on to earn advanced degrees in Physics or related fields, such as engineering, computer
science, and chemistry. Some have gone to medical school. Other graduates have found employment in a variety of
fields, including research, finance, journalism, education, and medical technology. Fifty seven percent of recent
graduates found work in the private sector (more than 2/3 in a technical field), 24% in education, and 13% in
government or the military. Starting salaries have ranged (2008-2009) from $40,000 - $63,000, third highest average of
all undergraduate degrees, after chemical and electrical engineering and computer science. The Washington D.C.
metropolitan area has a high concentration of high technology companies and federal government agencies that employ
physicists.
Specific job titles include:
Physicist
Oceanographer
Medical Imaging Engineer
Intergrated Circuit Designer
Systems Engineer
Physical Science Technician
Technical Writer
Physical Science Teacher
Organizations that typically hire Physics graduates include:
Naval Research Laboratory
Nat'l Oceanic & Atmospheric Admin.
Systems Research & Application Corp
Nat'l Inst. for Standards & Technology
NASA
Hunter Labs
Research Scientist
Software Engineer
Environmental Physicist
Web Developer
Performance Engineering Corp.
National Weather Service
Science Applications International Corp.
Logicon, Inc.
Metron. Inc.
Resources for further information:
A key element in effective decision making is having sufficient information about the major or career being explored.
Sources of information include people in the field, professional associations relating to the field, faculty and your career
services counselor. Below are additional resources to aid in exploration:
Printed Resources: (Career Services Library, 348 SUB1)
http://careers.gmu.edu/careerlibrary/wheretostart/phys_astr.pdf
Online Resources: http://careers.gmu.edu/onlineresources/phys_astr.htm
http://www.aip.org/statistics/trends/career.html
http://www.physics.org/
ACADEMIC ADVISING CENTER
FALL 2010
EXPLORING MAJORS
Science Related Job/Internship Postings: http://cos.gmu.edu/students/careerservices
http://www.aaas.org/careercenter/
http://www.aps.org/careers/
http://www.physics.gmu.edu/wiki/Links:Undergraduate_Research
Networking Resource: http://www.mentornet.net/
Professional Associations:
• American Association for the Advancement of Science– http://www.aaas.org/
• American Astronomical Society - http://www.aas.org
• American Institute of Physics - http://www.aip.org/
• Mason Student Clubs/Orgs/Societies Science and Technology Umbrella –
http://sa.gmu.edu/orgs/index.php
http://www.physics.gmu.edu/wiki/Clubs:Physics_Club
Contacts for further information:
Philip Rubin
Department of Physics & Astronomy
359 Science & Tech. Building I
703-993-3185
prubin@gmu.edu
ACADEMIC ADVISING CENTER
Academic Advising Center
304 SUB I
703-993-2470
Gemma Scallon Costa
Career Services
N. Chesapeake – Fall 2010
348 SUB I – Spring 2011
703-993-2370
gcosta@gmu.edu
FALL 2010