Physics Career Opportunities for Physics Majors Beyond Research?

[Faiq]

I want to know whether there is scope of Physics in the world as advertised. I want to become a Scientific Researcher but the dream seems too farfetched. Are these any benefits of having a Major in Physics if you don't turn out to be a scientific researcher?

 

[Vanadium 50]

What do you mean by "scope"?

 

[Faiq]

BY scope, I mean opportunities available outside the field

 

[Choppy]

"As advertised" by whom?

The APS keeps data on things like the employment of people who major in physics. You should be able to look up the details of the courses offered by the programs that you're interested in online, so you can see what courses you would end up taking. A physics degree is going to include core courses in classical mechanics, electrodynamics, thermodynamics and statistical mechanics, quantum mechanics, optics, etc. It will also include mathematics: calculus, differential equations, linear algebra and likely some more advanced methods. This is often supplemented with some kind of computer programming courses, laboratory courses, electronics, digital circuits, etc. and then options in advanced courses that are geared towards the various sub-fields. There will also be elective courses where you can take whatever you want.

Generally physics degrees are oriented toward preparing you for graduate school, and less so for professional employment. So when you're done, its up to you to figure out how to transition into the working world. People do this successfully. Graduates from physics programs tend to have low unemployment. Its highly unlikely that someone is going to employ you to figure out solutions to the Schrodinger equation for a given potential as an undergrad. What's more likely is that you'll be hired for skills in areas like programming, data analysis, problem solving, electronics, etc.