The fundamental questions of the cosmos are answered by physics and astronomy, such as how it came into being. What is it composed of? What is the process?
Physics and Astronomy: What is it?
Degrees in physics and astronomy help you better comprehend the connections between the physical principles of the world and how they function on various spatial and temporal scales.
Cosmology, for instance, is the study of the creation, development, and ultimate destiny of the cosmos. Space science is the study of our immediate planetary neighborhood, whereas astrophysics is concerned with the stars that fill it.
On the other end of the spectrum, atomic and subatomic domains are the focus of condensed matter physics, particle physics, and nanotechnology to study the physics of matter at the subatomic scale.
What Physics & Astronomy degrees can you study?
Undergraduates can pursue the following in physics and astronomy:
- Earth and Planetary Science BSc
- Medical Physics MSci
- Theoretical Physics BSc
- Applied Mathematics and Physics MSci
- Astronomy and Physics BSc
- Computer Science and Physics BSc
Options include a master’s degree or integrated foundation year, work experience, or a year abroad. Depending on the course, you may be able to change your specialization (for example, from physics with astrophysics to physics with particle physics) or upgrade your degree from three to four years.
Why study Physics and Astronomy?
Learn what makes the sky blue. Learn what causes the world to spin. Learn how global warming operates. This topic is for you if trying to figure out the answers to some of these questions sounds intriguing.
Career-specific skills:
- Scientific methods including analysis, deductive reasoning, laboratory techniques, and experiment design
- Understanding of natural principles in disciplines like medicinal physics, optics, or quantum mechanics
- Data processing and computing, including programming.
Transferable skills:
- Computer literacy
- Logical and critical thinking and analysis
- Numeracy
- Problem-solving
- Project management
- Team working
Professional accreditation:
- The Institute of Physics (IoP) may accredit degrees that fully or partially satisfy the academic requirements for Chartered Physicist status (CPhys).
What jobs can you get as a Physics & Astronomy graduate?
Nuclear physics and medical physics are two areas of physics that have immediate applications. Your degree could also lead to a job in technical and scientific research, and the skills you acquire could be beneficial in the legal or financial services industries. Future occupations can include:
- Meteorologist
- Photonics program manager
- Scrum master
- Software development engineer
- Teacher
- Academic researcher
- Automated test engineer
- Clinical scientist
- Market risk project manager
- Medical physicist
Similar subjects to Physics & Astronomy
Other subject areas that might appeal to you include:
- Astrophysics
- Computer Science
- Forensic Science
- Geology
- General Engineering
- Materials Technology
- Mathematics