Why Major in Physics?

There are various reasons to major in physics, so many that it is difficult to summarize them concisely on a web page. There are also many issues to consider when thinking about a major in physics. This page is intended to familiarize you with these reasons and issues but we also strongly recommend that you talk with one of the professors in physics since we cannot cover all the bases on a single page. You should also see Robert Ehrlich's article "Why Would Anyone Major in Physics," Physics Today 50, 59 (May, 1997). (Some of the following information is from that article.)

Is physics right for me?

Physics might be for if you answer yes to any of the following questions:

Am I interested in discovering how things work?
Am I more interested in discovering how the same idea can explain a variety of different devices or problems rather than just a single one?
Am I more interested in finding exact quantitiative explanations rather than being satisfied with generalities?

Why would I want to major in physics?

It's interesting and exciting! Physics truly is one of the most exciting and interesting subjects one can study. Discoveries from physics have revolutionized the world and will certainly continue to do so. Between the innermost workings of the nucleus and the outer edges of the visible universe lies the playground of physics. Combining imagination with systematic reasoning, the physicist seeks to understand the laws of nature, the structure of matter and the behavior of physical processes — the keys to many of the universe's secrets. The area of physics cover such intriguing topics as lasers, superconductors, black holes, quantum mechanics, big bang theory, relativity, and the list goes on and on. It also covers more basic but still fascinating topics such as why the sky is blue, why sunsets are red, and why ice floats. In short, physicists are explorers trying to understand the world around them.
It's a versatile major. Physics is sometimes referred to as the "liberal arts" degree of technology because physics majors can go on to careers in computer science, engineering, research and development, and biology. (See What physics majors do.) Others have referred to it as the "Swiss Army Knife" degree because of all the skills you acquire from a major in physics. One of the most unexpected employment opportunities lies with Major Wall Street brokerage houses since it was realized that the Black-Scholes model for futures pricing is mathematically a diffusion equation. For a list of current job opportunities, see the AIP's (American Institute of Physics) career services web page . To see the types of employers, by state, that employ physicists, see the AIP's employment trends .
In short, a major in physics is a way to keep your options open. An undergraduate degree in physics tells prospective employers this person has what it takes to succeed. The physics major learns to start with an ill-posed problem, formulate it quantitatively, solve it, and communicate the results clearly. The skill transfers readily to many fields. Physicists go on to become lawyers, doctors, and engineers.
Achieve deeper understanding. The physicist's approach to problem solving is to first understand the problem and the concepts. This allows a more efficient solution than the "quick-fix".
Smaller class size. The physics department graduates about 5 - 10 majors each year which means that there are only 5 - 10 students in each physics majors course. This means more attention for you.
The Physics reputation. Physics majors have a reputation for solid mathematical skills, strong problem solving ability, and good work ethic. It is these fundamental skills that allows them to work successfully in so many different areas.
Good Salaries! See the AIP's statistics on starting salaries
We need you. With a society that is heavily dependent on technology and science, physics majors are needed. See the National Commission
on Mathematics and Science Teaching for the 21st Century and read the Executive Report.

For more information...

See American Institute of Physics Employment and Education Statistics. For employment at the Bachelor's level, follow the "bachelors" link under the Employment heading.

* Note that much of the material found on this page can also be found at Department of Physics - Worcester Polytechnic Institute