A bachelor’s degree in physics is for passionate students looking for a flexible range of career paths in the scientific field. With many universities adding astronomy to the curriculum, the major is broader and more accessible than ever. So, if you’re driven by curiosity surrounding the fundamental workings of our universe, a physics degree might just be for you. 

What is physics?

Physics is the scientific study of matter, energy, motion, and force. It explores the fundamental principles governing our universe, from a small dust particle to the largest galaxies. You’ll be trained to analyze data and follow patterns in gravity, motion and acceleration to explain the phenomena of our planet. Because of the broad scope of physics, a physics degree offers a wide range of opportunities within the scientific community. 

“Most people who have physics degrees will do something which is not physics but is related to the research or the skills that they picked up along the way,” University of the Pacific physics professor Kieran Holland said. “A hot area right now is people doing data science. So, if you work in Silicon Valley and you work for a company that produces a terabyte of data every day on people’s preferences for yogurt, you need someone who can handle that.”  

Graduates with a bachelor’s degree in physics can earn competitive salaries over their career. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median pay for physicists and astronomers in 2023 was $149,530 a year. Perhaps most exciting is the job outlook (2023-33) which projects the demand for specialists in physics to grow by 7%, which is faster than average. 

Career opportunities in physics

• Data analyst – Gathers and cleans data from various sources and identifies key insights to assist with data-driven solutions to problems companies and organizations face. 

• Systems engineer – Analyzes, designs and maintains systems to improve efficiency and quality. 

• Computational physicist – Uses computers to solve complex problems in science and engineering by combining their knowledge of physics, computer science and applied mathematics. 

Other pathways include:

• Aerospace, aviation and defense 
• Astronomy and astrophysics 
• Molecular physics 
• Biomedical engineering 
• Cosmology 
• Geophysics 
• Ocean science 
• Robotics

Physics careers in specialized fields

According to Holland, most graduates who apply for jobs right out of college go into engineering and managing computer systems, but some choose to continue their research as a graduate student or teach the next generation of physics students. 

Pursuing a master’s degree or a PhD will allow you to pursue a career in specialized fields such as advanced computational physics that potentially could lead to higher-level positions and salaries. Pacific graduate Kadri M. Nizam ’19 is working toward a PhD in astronomy and astrophysics at Penn State University; Savio Cao ’20 studies particle physics at Florida State University; and Kelli Loritsch ’21 is an applied mathematics PhD candidate at UC Davis.  

Holland says he is proud of the fact that several alumni from Pacific’s physics program are employed at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory’s fusion center where they work on quantum computing and fusion energy, one of the next big things in the world of physics. 

What skills will you gain with a physics degree?

A key aspect of mastering physics is the ability to follow logical reasoning, which is where mathematics plays a crucial role. Pacific faculty will help you recognize that mathematics can often provide multiple answers and how to determine which one is correct by using data and critical thinking.  

According to Holland, by the time you graduate, you will be able to take complex data and make a statistical analysis, create a graphical representation of it and write up reports using professional documentation.  

How to prepare to study physics

Physics majors should be prepared to take calculus in their first semester at Pacific, and it is highly recommended that they take high school physics. If you’re experienced with computer programming in a language such as C++ or Python, that is also useful. 

Taking AP physics classes in high school will help you prepare for a physics major. Holland recommends getting involved as soon as possible by getting exposed to calculus in high school so you can get the language down and joining a physics club if your school has one. Pacific’s small class sizes will make it easy for you to reach out for one-on-one support if you have any questions. 

“If you’re a little bit curious and you want to know more, the easiest thing is just to talk to us,” Holland says. 

Pacific’s physics program will gear your studies around how things in our universe work. At Pacific you’ll work with professors who have collaborated with researchers from NASA to catalogue planets that orbit stars beyond the solar system.  

Physics at Pacific

As a physics student, you will choose from three concentrations: the standard track, astrophysics and theoretical physics. In astrophysics, you will use the department’s optical and radio telescopes and other equipment in coursework and projects to get a deeper understanding of the cosmos beyond Earth. If you are more mathematically inclined, theoretical physics emphasizes the theoretical aspects of physics and deepens your expertise through the application of mathematical methods to physical phenomena. 

Once you’ve found your concentration, you’ll collaborate on projects that will give you the problem-solving skills to apply what you’ve learned to real-world issues. Pacific physics major Ramon Guzman ’26, for example, is developing a new process to create nano-silicon particles for electric vehicle batteries. 

“This research is essential because it helps improve battery performance, making them last longer and storing more energy, which is vital for the future of clean, sustainable transportation,” said Guzman. 

Graduates from Pacific’s physics program are applying their knowledge in a range of industries. Sarah Antonsson ’16, is a real-time defect analyst for Micron Technology, a leader in the semiconductor industry; Krista Hibert ’20 is a real estate data analyst; and Katherine Ram ’18 works for Raytheon Technologies as a missile systems engineer.  

Learn more about physics at Pacific

Pacific’s Department of Physics and Astronomy is smaller than departments at larger research-focused schools, which means we get to know you on an individual basis.

Learn how to apply to the physics program

School of Engineering and Computer Science student Mark Castaneda ’25 is living out his dream internship this summer at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center as a research assistant.

Below, he tells us what a typical day interning at NASA looks like for him, how he made his resume stand out (hint: it involves a cool Pacific engineering physics project), and his advice to students for persevering through hardship.  

What I do at my internship

I am currently a junior research assistant under Dr. Martin Cordiner in the Astrochemistry/Planetary Sciences Department.

A normal day for me is spent manipulating and analyzing data obtained from the ALMA (Atacama Large Millimeter Array) Radio Observatory. Right now, I am observing Venus’s atmosphere, using radio spectroscopy to identify chemicals, temperatures and wind speeds.

When I was first offered the position, my mentor told me to be prepared for a challenging summer. He wasn’t kidding! This has been one of the most academically challenging experiences of my life, and equally rewarding.

How I got this opportunity

I got the internship through a contact I made as an NCAS student (NASA Community College Aerospace Scholar).

Last semester at Pacific, I started working with Professor Hetrick and Professor Hutter building a radio telescope on the roof of the physics building. This definitely made my resume stand out.

What I’ve learned through this experience

My favorite part of this internship is learning from the most brilliant people on the planet. The first half of my internship was in person at the NASA facility, so it was really exciting to meet some of the minds behind the amazing things NASA has been doing.

Technically speaking, I’ve learned about chemical processes in atmospheres of planets in our solar system, radio astronomy, spectroscopy, how to analyze spectral frequencies, and a few useful programming techniques. And I’ve learned that I still have a lot to learn.

My advice for future interns

Network! Meet as many people as you can. More often than not people are happy to share about what they are working on, and new working relationships are worth stepping out of your comfort zone for a moment.

And no matter the hardship, no matter the mistakes, no matter what, never give up hope!

Want to learn more about what Pacific students are up to this summer? Keep an eye on People of Pacific this summer for more internship diaries!