Online Physics Degree Programs

While curiosity is a universal human trait, some of us are so extraordinarily inquisitive and so eager to understand the arcane machinations of our world that life's practical concerns become secondary. If you count yourself among this group, a career in physics could provide the intellectual outlet you crave. Physicists concern themselves with the big questions most of us deemed unknowable long ago, such as the nature of time and the universe. They conduct experiments with the most sophisticated technology, and often create new equipment in the process. Testing theories, developing novel products and procedures, and conducting extensive research all form a researcher's domain.

Physicists study many facets of what makes the universe work the way it does. Nuclear physicists, for example, study the smallest identifiable particles in the universe, and how they interact to create different substances. Astrophysicists study planets, stars, and space. There are also physicists who study the behavior of matter in a variety of other disciplines--such as biophysicists, geophysicists, and chemical physicists.

Physics Degrees and Career Training

Whether you dream of one day creating new medical breakthroughs, or simply have a unquenchable curiosity about how our universe works, a degree in physics is a valuable credential. Online degree programs enable you to earn a degree from your home computer, working at your own pace. In a typical physics curriculum one might encounter electromagnetism, optics, quantum mechanics, atomic physics, and thermodynamics. Bachelor's degrees typically take four years to complete.

Most physicists work in research and development positions, which require a doctorate degree, but some applied research and development firms only require a master's degree. A bachelor's degree in physics can qualify you for technician and research assistant positions, as well as work in the fields of software development and systems analysis.

Job Outlook for Physicists

Physicists held about 17,000 jobs in 2006, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts average employment growth in the coming decade. According to the BLS, research and development service firms and the federal government employ three out of five physicists. The federal government employs physicists in the Department of Defense, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), as well as in the departments of Commerce and Energy. Physicists in the U.S. earned, on average, an impressive salary of $94,240 in 2006. While salaries are not guaranteed and will vary based on location and employer, higher-level degrees in physics will likely increase your opportunities for employment and salary.