Applied Physics Job Opportunities?

[D4V1D]

I am a high school senior, and currently trying to figure out what to do next as far as my education goes. I'm very interested in Physics, as I love learning how the things I often take for granted work. A school I applied for has not only Physics, but also Applied Physics. Are the job opportunities much different with either degree? Would I possibly be able to work in an environment with engineers (for example, working in a nuclear power plant; I was wondering about becoming a nuclear engineer, but not many schools nearby offer it, and none in my state whatsoever)? What other jobs could I get? I realize many jobs won't be directly related to Physics, but I would still like to weigh out my options. Thank you!

 

[Kevin_Axion]

I am a high school senior, and currently trying to figure out what to do next as far as my education goes. I'm very interested in Physics, as I love learning how the things I often take for granted work. A school I applied for has not only Physics, but also Applied Physics. Are the job opportunities much different with either degree? Would I possibly be able to work in an environment with engineers (for example, working in a nuclear power plant; I was wondering about becoming a nuclear engineer, but not many schools nearby offer it, and none in my state whatsoever)? What other jobs could I get? I realize many jobs won't be directly related to Physics, but I would still like to weigh out my options. Thank you!

Physics is a pure science and applied physics is analogous to engineering. Can you expand further on what the applied physics curriculum entails?

 

[D4V1D]

Physics is a pure science and applied physics is analogous to engineering. Can you expand further on what the applied physics curriculum entails?

This was pulled right off of their website:
The Curriculum: In Brief
The Departmental curriculum for majors begins with a calculus-based General Physics sequence followed by courses in the major fields of physics: Classical Mechanics, Electricity and Magnetism, Modern Physics, Thermodynamics and Statistical Physics, Optics and Laser Physics, Quantum Mechanics, and Electronics. These courses provide a solid background for students whether they plan on entering graduate school, becoming educators, or working in industry.

Senior Seminar
The high point of a student's physics major at Bridgewater is his/her participation in the Seminar in Physics, Mathematics, and Computer Science during the senior year. The student selects a topic for research (either library-based or laboratory-based) and, working with a faculty advisor, completes a major project consisting of an extended written and oral presentation.

These projects demonstrate the skills and knowledge that each student has learned as well as the student's readiness for a career and studies beyond Bridgewater. A few examples of past projects are the construction of a robot arm, experiments on the effects of friction on bullets, ultrasonics, and the study of superconductivity.

It doesn't go much more in depth than that though. It's more of a general statement about the three paths they offer (Physics, Applied Physics, Physics & Mathematics focused for teaching high school).
I'm not sure how this school's program is compared to others, but it's one of the few in my state that I know of to offer Applied Physics. I'm applying to other colleges/universities as well, but I was just hoping for more information on what might be best for the most job opportunities.

 

[Kevin_Axion]

This was pulled right off of their website:
The Curriculum: In Brief
The Departmental curriculum for majors begins with a calculus-based General Physics sequence followed by courses in the major fields of physics: Classical Mechanics, Electricity and Magnetism, Modern Physics, Thermodynamics and Statistical Physics, Optics and Laser Physics, Quantum Mechanics, and Electronics. These courses provide a solid background for students whether they plan on entering graduate school, becoming educators, or working in industry.

Senior Seminar
The high point of a student's physics major at Bridgewater is his/her participation in the Seminar in Physics, Mathematics, and Computer Science during the senior year. The student selects a topic for research (either library-based or laboratory-based) and, working with a faculty advisor, completes a major project consisting of an extended written and oral presentation.

These projects demonstrate the skills and knowledge that each student has learned as well as the student's readiness for a career and studies beyond Bridgewater. A few examples of past projects are the construction of a robot arm, experiments on the effects of friction on bullets, ultrasonics, and the study of superconductivity.

It doesn't go much more in depth than that though. It's more of a general statement about the three paths they offer (Physics, Applied Physics, Physics & Mathematics focused for teaching high school).
I'm not sure how this school's program is compared to others, but it's one of the few in my state that I know of to offer Applied Physics. I'm applying to other colleges/universities as well, but I was just hoping for more information on what might be best for the most job opportunities.

All engineering degrees have great job opportunities so there isn't really much to worry about. Although, this curriculum seems very similar to an Engineering Physics degree which in a lot of cases isn't ABET accredited and it will be very difficult to get an engineering job at a company. In light of this, you should check if this program is ABET accredited.

 

[D4V1D]

All engineering degrees have great job opportunities so there isn't really much to worry about. Although, this curriculum seems very similar to an Engineering Physics degree which in a lot of cases isn't ABET accredited and it will be very difficult to get an engineering job at a company. In light of this, you should check if this program is ABET accredited.

Thanks, I probably wouldn't have thought to check that! I'm still deciding on whether a Physics major would be right for me, but I figure it's a great thing to look into. I took a tech course in my freshman and sophomore years of high school that seemed to be a high school applied physics class, and I loved the challenge and that I was learning about how many of these things I overlook on a daily basis work. It's very interesting.
Could I possibly get a job working semi-closely with engineers after studying theoretical physics as well, or are theoretical and applied too far apart in that sense? I know they're different, but I wasn't sure if theoretical physics majors are ever employed in these same environments.

 

[Kevin_Axion]

Thanks, I probably wouldn't have thought to check that! I'm still deciding on whether a Physics major would be right for me, but I figure it's a great thing to look into. I took a tech course in my freshman and sophomore years of high school that seemed to be a high school applied physics class, and I loved the challenge and that I was learning about how many of these things I overlook on a daily basis work. It's very interesting.
Could I possibly get a job working semi-closely with engineers after studying theoretical physics as well, or are theoretical and applied too far apart in that sense? I know they're different, but I wasn't sure if theoretical physics majors are ever employed in these same environments.

I wouldn't be able to tell you haha. Just stick it out for a little bit, there are people on here that have better information than me.