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Physics

Major Information

A Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) with a major in Physics and Astronomy, and a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Physics are offered at Georgia Southern. Both degree programs in physics include lecture and laboratory classes designed to establish a fundamental understanding of the major areas of physics. These include optics, analog electronics, laser technology, classical mechanics, physical astronomy, modern physics, quantum mechanics, classical electromagnetic theory, thermodynamics, acoustics and other courses. 

General Information

Degree(s) Offered:

  • Bachelor of Science in Physics (B.S.)
  • Bachelor of Arts with a Major in Physics (B.A.)
  • Master of Science in Applied Physical Science (MS-APS)
  • Minor in Physics

Sample Occupations

  • Aerospace Engineer
  • Astrophysicist
  • Atmospheric and Space Scientist
  • Airline Dispatcher
  • Airplane Pilot
  • Architect
  • Architectural Drafter
  • Biomedical Engineer
  • Biophysicist
  • Computer Programmer
  • Engineering Technician (Electrical, Civil)
  • Environmental Scientist
  • Experimental Physicist
  • Fire Prevention and Protection Engineer
  • Forensic Science Technician
  • Geophysical Data Technician
  • Geoscientist
  • Hydrologist
  • Occupational Health & Safety Specialist
  • Information Scientist
  • Laboratory Technician 
  • Laser Technician
  • Machinist
  • Manufacturer’s Rep
  • Mechanical Engineer 
  • Medical lab Technician
  • Medical Physicist
  • Metallurgist
  • Meteorologist
  • Mining and Geological Engineer
  • Nuclear Engineer
  • Nuclear Physicist
  • Petroleum Engineer
  • Pharmacologist
  • Photogrammetrist
  • Physical Scientist
  • Physicist
  • Product Safety Engineer
  • Radiologic Technologist
  • Radiologist
  • Science Seismologist
  • Stress Analyst
  • Systems Analyst
  • Theoretical Physicist
  • Writer, Technical

Sample Work Settings

  • Astronaut Corps
  • Chemical Companies
  • Educational Institutions
  • Electronic Firms
  • Engineering Firms
  • Federal Agencies: Dept. of Agriculture, Dept. of Commerce,
  • Dept. of Defense, Dept. of Energy, Dept. of Interior
  • Federal Government (Army, Navy, Coast Guard, Air Force)
  • Hospitals
  • Laboratories
  • Museums
  • National Aeronautics & Space Administration
  • National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration
  • National Transportation Safety Board
  • Non-Profit Research Groups
  • Oil Fields
  • Patent Law Firms
  • Power Plants
  • Research and Development Firms

Sample Employers

  • Boeing
  • Caterpillar, Inc.
  • Chesapeake Energy
  • Cornell University
  • Corrosion Probe, Inc.
  • Delta Airlines
  • Georgia-Pacific, LLC
  • Georgia Institute of Technology
  • Gulfstream Aerospace
  • IBM
  • Mitsubishi Power Systems
  • Riverside Research
  • Schlumberger
  • Southern Nuclear
  • US Army
  • US Navy

Connecting Majors, Skills, and Occupations

  • View learning outcomes associated with your major in the Georgia Southern Academic Catalog:

Georgia Southern Academic Catalog

  • Explore the connection between occupations and skills in O*Net:

www.onetonline.org

  • Use Handshake to upload your résumé and explore internships and jobs. For more information:

www.georgiasouthern.edu/ocpd

Internet Resources

To explore values, interests, and skills:

FOCUS 2
bit.ly/focuscareer

Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) – $18

http://www.georgiasouthern.edu/ocpd

To explore occupational outlooks and salaries:

National Compensation Survey

www.bls.gov/ncs/

Salary.Com

www.salary.com

Professional Organizations

American Association of Physics Teachers

www.aapt.org

American Association of Physicists in Medicine

www.aapm.org

Biophysical Society

www.biophysics.org

Joint Institute for Laboratory Astrophysics

www.jila.colorado.edu

Georgia Southern Student Organizations

Mathematical Association of America (MAA)

Sigma Pi Sigma (National Physics Honor Society)

Society of Physics Students

Tips

  • Get involved with faculty-supported undergraduate research
  • Attempt to present at the university-level and professional-level conference
  • Complete an internship or summer research opportunity
  • Research graduate school programs and prepare for them early
  • Join societies or clubs relevant to field of interest 

Last updated: 6/28/2013