Physics

Course summary

Physicists play a vital role in many technology based industries such as optoelectronics, nanotechnology, computing and renewable energy. Others work on investigating the universe, searching for new planets or looking for the remnants of the big bang. Others still go on to apply their knowledge in healthcare (medical physics) studying the processes of the Earth (geophysics) or the climate (meteorology). The knowledge and skills that studying physics develops are important in other areas as well. Predicting future market behaviour is vital in finance, and so a physicist’s ability to model complex systems is particularly valued in this sector, while a logical approach and ability to understand new technology is useful in law, for example, when patenting new inventions. Physics provides a broad training in skills that are valued by all employers; an ability to grasp concepts quickly, a determination to find coherent answers, along with problem-solving, analytical, mathematical and IT skills. Even if you decide that you don’t want to work in any physics-related industry, the skills and knowledge that you develop by studying physics will always help you in whichever area you go into.