A Member of the State University System of Florida A Career Guide for the Physics Major Physicists explore and identify basic principles governing the structure and behavior of matter, the generation and transfer of energy, and the interaction of matter and energy. Physicists design and perform experiments with lasers, cyclotrons, telescopes, mass spectrometers, and other equipment. Based on observations and analysis, they attempt to discover the laws that describe the forces of nature, such as gravity, electromagnetism, and nuclear interactions. They also find ways to apply physical laws and theories to problems in nuclear energy, electronics, optics, materials, communications, aerospace technology, navigation equipment, and medical instrumentation.
Most physicists work in research and development.
A significant number hold faculty positions in colleges and universities. The Bachelor's degree in Physics is a 120 credit-hour professional program for students intending to proceed with graduate studies in physics, or intending to enter governmental or industrial service. Approximately four semesters of upper division coursework is required of students who transfer in at the junior-senior level. The Career Guide series was developed by the Florida Atlantic University Career Development Center, Division of Student Affairs , the Office of Undergraduate Programs , and in cooperation with the College of Science and the Department of Physics.