Courses Masters Course Decision: Physics Major Choosing Between 4 Options

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The discussion centers around selecting a suitable two-year Master's course after completing a bachelor's in Physics, with a focus on financial stability post-graduation. The individual is considering four options: Nuclear Physics, Solid-State Physics, Geophysics, and Theoretical Physics. There is a consensus that pursuing a career in finance may be beneficial due to the need for immediate income. Geophysics is recommended for its potential to lead to well-paying jobs in the oil industry, although competition is noted as a challenge. Concerns are raised about the employability of a Nuclear Physics graduate in a nuclear power plant, as these facilities typically prefer candidates with a background in Nuclear Engineering. Overall, the emphasis is on choosing a path that balances interest with financial viability, with Geophysics emerging as a strong option.
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After I finish my bachelor studies (Physics in general) I will have to choose a two-year Masters course. Sadly, I cannot continue in doctoral studies, mainly because of money... I will need pretty much money, so working in a finance world may be good for me after finishing school. Changing my bachelor course and loosing a year or two isn't a choice for me...
Which should I prefer?

1. Nuclear phys. (And then working in a nuclear power plant)
2. Solid-state phys. (Research?)
3. Geophysics (With many numerical modelling courses)
4. Theoretical phys. (Interesting, hard)

Thanks for any help.
 
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dizinko said:
After I finish my bachelor studies (Physics in general) I will have to choose a two-year Masters course. Sadly, I cannot continue in doctoral studies, mainly because of money... I will need pretty much money, so working in a finance world may be good for me after finishing school. Changing my bachelor course and loosing a year or two isn't a choice for me...
Which should I prefer?

1. Nuclear phys. (And then working in a nuclear power plant)
2. Solid-state phys. (Research?)
3. Geophysics (With many numerical modelling courses)
4. Theoretical phys. (Interesting, hard)

Thanks for any help.

You realize that PhDs are usually fully funded with a TA, at least in the US and I believe this is true for Canada and much of Western Europe as well?
 
I know that PhDs are fully funded. Academic career is simply no longer acceptable for me. I'm a talented young man and this is a family problem. I know that it's impossible to fully understand my current position but I don't want to talk about personal matters too much.
 
dizinko said:
I know that PhDs are fully funded. Academic career is simply no longer acceptable for me.

Not all PhDs work in academia, many go on to working in industry. However, I think you just want to get out and start making money. I would suggest geophysics from the list you have above. If you get yourself a job with an oil company, they will pay you a good amount. BUT the competition to work in an oil company is high..
Not sure if a nuclear power plant would higher a nuclear physicist. They mostly higher nuclear engineers. Unless the plant is involved in nuclear physics research? (I just googled about this, correct me if I am wrong)

DoubleMint
 
dizinko said:
After I finish my bachelor studies (Physics in general) I will have to choose a two-year Masters course. Sadly, I cannot continue in doctoral studies, mainly because of money... I will need pretty much money, so working in a finance world may be good for me after finishing school. Changing my bachelor course and loosing a year or two isn't a choice for me...
Which should I prefer?

1. Nuclear phys. (And then working in a nuclear power plant)
2. Solid-state phys. (Research?)
3. Geophysics (With many numerical modelling courses)
4. Theoretical phys. (Interesting, hard)

Thanks for any help.

You're really unlikely to get hired at a nuclear plant as a nuclear physics masters level graduate. They really rather have someone who has experience as a Nuclear Engineer or in that course work area.

Nuclear Physics doesn't cover anything that a Nuclear Engineering degree does.
 
Hey, I am Andreas from Germany. I am currently 35 years old and I want to relearn math and physics. This is not one of these regular questions when it comes to this matter. So... I am very realistic about it. I know that there are severe contraints when it comes to selfstudy compared to a regular school and/or university (structure, peers, teachers, learning groups, tests, access to papers and so on) . I will never get a job in this field and I will never be taken serious by "real"...
Yesterday, 9/5/2025, when I was surfing, I found an article The Schwarzschild solution contains three problems, which can be easily solved - Journal of King Saud University - Science ABUNDANCE ESTIMATION IN AN ARID ENVIRONMENT https://jksus.org/the-schwarzschild-solution-contains-three-problems-which-can-be-easily-solved/ that has the derivation of a line element as a corrected version of the Schwarzschild solution to Einstein’s field equation. This article's date received is 2022-11-15...
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