How much coding do I need to learn when becoming a nuclear physicist?

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SUMMARY

To become a nuclear physicist, coding is an essential skill, beneficial for both experimental and theoretical physics, as well as industry applications. While a strong focus on lab work is common, familiarity with programming enhances problem-solving capabilities. Python is recommended as the first programming language due to its beginner-friendly nature and applicability in physics-related tasks. Ultimately, the ability to code is more critical than the specific language chosen.

PREREQUISITES
  • Basic understanding of physics concepts
  • Familiarity with laboratory techniques
  • Introductory knowledge of programming principles
  • Awareness of industry applications in physics
NEXT STEPS
  • Learn Python programming for scientific applications
  • Explore coding best practices and algorithms
  • Research data analysis tools used in physics, such as NumPy and SciPy
  • Investigate software used in experimental physics, like LabVIEW
USEFUL FOR

High school students aspiring to become nuclear physicists, educators in physics, and anyone interested in integrating coding skills into scientific research and industry applications.

TR094
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I'm currently in high school and in the future I want to become a nuclear physicist. I'm not really into coding in general and I worry that would be a bad thing. I'm more on wanting to do lab work.

I know I don't really have to worry about this now but it's good to know now for the future so I can be ready.
 
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Coding is generally a very useful tool. This goes for experimental physics as well as theoretical as well as for industry in the (quite likely) case that you don’t spend your entire life in acdemia.
 
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Orodruin said:
Coding is generally a very useful tool. This goes for experimental physics as well as theoretical as well as for industry in the (quite likely) case that you don’t spend your entire life in acdemia.
Should I learn python first? I've heard that it's good for a beginner and it's useful for physics things
 
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The language is less important than learning to code. If you can code well, picking up another coding language to a reasonable proficiency is not hard.

That said, Python is a good way in.
 
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