What You Can Do with Your Physics Degree

  • Tanner Hutchings, Physics alumnus

    REACHING MILESTONES — “The thing I love the most is that I'm always doing a different project, and, when it is finished, I feel like another milestone has been reached,” said Tanner Hutchings ’08, AS in electro-optics and laser engineering technology, now an optical technician for FLIR Systems, Freeport, Pa. 

    Susannah ZhangTeaching, writing skills pay off in grad school

    “I was able to go straight into a PhD program after graduating with a BSEd. My knowledge of pedagogy helped me to teach the lab classes and tutor high school students at Trio Upward Bound. The Honors College was also a wonderful learning experience, because I improved my writing and expanded my views.”

    Susannah Zhang ’12, PhD candidate in physics, University of Georgia

    Contribute to the advancement and improvement of human life by solving the world’s mysteries

    Virtually every global endeavor of any significance relies on the breakthroughs provided by the research and experimentation of physicists. A physics degree from IUP announces that you are a contributor to society, a problem solver who is eager to engage the riddles of the universe. The benefits of computers, transistors, and the Web—to name a few game changers—would not be ours if not for the creativity and intellectual zeal of physics professionals. What’s next? There are no limits in the world of physics.

    Careers

    With a BS in Physics you can consider a career in one of these industries:

    • Aerospace
    • Aircraft manufacturing
    • Astronomy
    • Automobile manufacturing
    • Bioengineering
    • Bioinformatics
    • Chemical manufacturing
    • Colleges and universities
    • Computer hardware/software manufacturing
    • Department of Energy
    • Electrical equipment manufacturing
    • Electronics
    • Electro-optics
    • Film industry advisor
    • Finance
    • Game industry
    • Geography firms
    • Laboratory manager
    • Laser engineering
    • Medical schools
    • Military
    • Museums
    • Nanotechnology
    • Optical engineering
    • Petroleum
    • Power plants
    • Research firms
    • Secondary schools
    • Smithsonian Institution
    • Steel/metals industry
    • Telephone/cable
    • Waste management firms

    Path to Higher Degrees

    The BS in Physics opens many doors. Yet, even more possibilities become available when completing graduate studies. The Professional Science Master’s Degree Program in physics prepares students for research and industrial positions, as well as doctoral studies in physics or engineering at other universities.

  • Physics Department
  • Weyandt Hall, Room 56
    975 Oakland Avenue
    Indiana, PA 15705
  • Phone: 724-357-2370
  • Fax: 724-357-3804
  • Office Hours
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  • 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
  • 1:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.