Most colleges wisely require students to take courses in other fields as well. Physics students must study English and some other courses outside of science. In college, the first course in physics usually covers a broad range of topics and uses some calculus. Later courses explore single areas of physics in greater depth, often using more advanced mathematics. In advanced laboratory courses, the physics student may encounter sophisticated electronic equipment and may also have a chance to be part of a research team.
Graduate students pursuing master's and doctoral degrees concentrate fully on physics.
The master's program typically takes two years and may require a research project. It often leads to papers published in physics journals. Jobs for Tomorrow For research positions and for college and university teaching, the Ph.D. degree is generally required. The job market for these positions is currently fair to poor. High-school teachers, who need at least a bachelor's degree, are likely to be in especially strong demand.