Physics is a fantastic subject to study at university, for a wide variety of reasons. Whether you’re thinking about physics courses at university, or would like to combine physics with another degree subject, such as maths or engineering, there are plenty of reasons why studying physics to a degree level can benefit you.
If you need any further encouragement to study physics at university, below are ten reasons why we study physics and why it is worthwhile studying at university, regardless of whether you plan to study the subject at AUN or the University of Melbourne or elsewhere.
Physics can help stimulate and challenge you academically
A degree in physics can help you in the workplace once you’ve graduated
Physics may lead to a job role where you can make a big impact
| Reason | Summary |
|---|---|
| 1. Find Out Why The World Works The Way It Does | Physics helps in understanding the fundamental principles that govern the natural world, from the smallest particles to the vastness of the universe. |
| 2. You Can Solve Problems | Studying physics hones analytical and problem-solving skills, allowing individuals to tackle complex issues in a logical and structured manner. |
| 3. The Breadth of Career Opportunities | A physics degree opens doors to diverse careers in fields like engineering, finance, healthcare, and technology due to its versatile and applied nature. |
| 4. It Keeps You On Your Toes | Physics constantly evolves with new discoveries, keeping learners engaged and challenged, and requiring them to stay updated with the latest advancements. |
| 5. It Complements Different Subjects, Such As Maths | Physics pairs well with subjects like mathematics, chemistry, and engineering, enhancing the understanding and application of concepts across these disciplines. |
| 6. It is Challenging but Rewarding | The study of physics is intellectually demanding, providing a rigorous challenge that sharpens the mind and encourages a deep understanding of complex concepts. |
| 7. Overseas Work Opportunities | Physics is a global discipline, offering opportunities to work in international research labs, universities, or companies, expanding career possibilities abroad. |
| 8. Gain Highly Employable Skills | Physics imparts critical thinking, quantitative analysis, and technical skills, making graduates highly desirable to employers across various industries. |
| 9. Refine Your Understanding of Modern Technology | Understanding physics allows individuals to grasp how modern technology works, from smartphones to renewable energy, fostering an appreciation for innovation. |
| 10. Post Graduate Research Opportunities Become Available | Physics provides a strong foundation for further academic pursuits, encouraging students to engage in postgraduate research that can lead to advanced knowledge and innovation in the field. |
1. Find Out Why The World Works The Way It Does
If you’re a naturally inquisitive person, then there’s a lot you can learn from a physics degree.
That's the importance of studying physics, it can teach us so much about, well...everything. Whether you’d like to know why the world moves, or want to understand the laws of the universe and what makes everything tick – from planets and solar systems to black holes – physics can explain why things occur the way they do and show us the interaction between phenomena we wouldn’t have otherwise seen.
It's also an incredibly broad subject, meaning that you might learn about topics as varied as particle physics, electricity and magnetism, classical mechanics, modern physics, relativity, and thermodynamics, to name but a few.
Of course, you can also choose to specialise in just a few or one of these areas as you continue your studies, but if you enjoy studying a range of different topics, then physics is certainly a subject to consider!
2. You Can Solve Problems
Being able to critically analyse a situation and solve problems, even theoretical problems, are core skills that an undergraduate needs to do well throughout a physics degree. As such, being able to think outside the box and apply a variety of different approaches to try and solve a problem is highly regarded in this field.
Having and developing such problem-solving skills is not only good when it comes to your education in physics, but it can also benefit you when it comes to applying for jobs once you’ve completed your degree.
Many employers value applicants with strong analytical skills and a physics degree is a great way to develop them.
3. The Breadth of Career Opportunities
If you’re wondering about what kind of jobs there are with a physics degree, the great answer is that there are so many to choose from!
Although a physics degree is naturally highly embedded in science, physics graduates don’t necessarily have to go into jobs that are scientific in nature, and you certainly don't have to become a scientist or physicist if you don't want to.
Of course, if you have your heart set on becoming an astrophysicist or a laboratory technician, then you can naturally pursue those avenues, but it's also important to note that there are other career paths out there for physics graduates.
For example, physics graduates may find themselves working in a variety of different roles and often work on projects that make a big difference to humanity.
Aerospace and Aviation. Physics graduates can work in roles related to designing and testing aircraft, spacecraft, and satellites. Their understanding of physics helps ensuring safety and efficiency in aerospace engineering.
Renewable Energy. In the renewable energy sector, physics graduates contribute to developing technologies like solar panels, wind turbines, and energy storage systems.
Medical Physics. In healthcare, medical physicists apply principles of physics to develop and operate medical imaging devices, radiation therapy, and some diagnostic equipment. They ensure that these technologies are safe and effective for patient care.
There are also many roles outside of physics that are open to those who have completed the degree and shown their level of intellect. So if you’d think that a career as an accountant, engineer, investment analyst, journalist, mathematician, or you think that another position entirely would interest you, then a physics degree is likely to help you reach your goal, even if indirectly.
High school students can get in touch with a VCE physics tutor here.
4. It Keeps You On Your Toes
One of the other appealing aspects of learning about physics is that it is a constantly evolving field.
This means that you should never be bored when studying the subject, as theories that were once held in high esteem are challenged and replaced with newer, more dynamic theories.
If you like the idea of constantly learning, especially with a physics tutor, a physics degree could really suit you.
5. It Complements Different Subjects, Such As Maths
Physics is intrinsically linked with other subjects, and one of the most obvious connections is with maths.
Physics without maths simply wouldn’t work, as maths is needed in order to help solve formula and generally understand and analyse physics experiments and studies.
There are even joint degree courses in maths and physics available at some universities, recognising the strong and enduring link that these two subjects have with each another.
Due to the close correlation between maths and physics, it’s also important that any undergraduate physics student makes sure that their knowledge of both maths and physics is up to par.
If you do need any extracurricular help with maths and physics, then it may be worth knowing how to find a physics and maths tutor, and how much a physics and maths tutor costs.
6. It is Challenging but Rewarding
Physics isn’t known for being an easy subject. Regardless of whether you’re studying physics at highschool, or learning about physics at university and beyond, physics, like the other sciences, has a reputation for requiring particular skills, such as:
- Strong mathematical ability
- Ability to learn complex formula
- Ability to embrace and understand new concepts and ideas.
So, if you want to study a subject at a university that offers a challenge and will keep you engaged, then physics might just be the degree route for you, especially if you enjoy the mathematical side of the subject, such as solving equations or performing algebra or calculus.
7. Overseas Work Opportunities
If you would like to have a degree that enables you to travel and work overseas for an extended period, then physics is a great degree to consider.
For example, while studying a physics degree you may be able to land yourself an internship or work experience placement abroad. Equally, once you’ve graduated, you may be able to apply for jobs in other English-speaking countries, such as the US and the UK.
Even if travelling isn't for you, there are still plenty of career opportunities available to physics graduates who want to be based in Australia, as highlighted above.
8. Gain Highly Employable Skills
You learn so much during a physics degree, including a variety of transferable skills, such as:
- Problem-solving and analytical skills;
- Research skills; and
- Communication and presentation skills.
These transferable skills are often particularly attractive to employers in a number of different industries, meaning that you can help your C.V. stand out from the rest of the crowd when you have a physics degree to your name.
What’s more, physics is actually in high demand in some fields, such as teaching. Due to the lack of qualified physics teachers, the government is offering financial incentives to graduates such as physics graduates, with the aim to help bring more physics graduates into the classroom as teachers.
9. Refine Your Understanding of Modern Technology
It’s not all that shocking to learn that much of what we take for granted in today’s digitally-driven age has been developed and is in use thanks to physics. For example, consider just a few of the below items that we use on a daily basis.
If you’re interested in technology and learning about how things work, then learning more about physics can help you to understand why the modern world, and the devices that populate it, function as they do today.
10. Post Graduate Research Opportunities Become Available
If you enjoy studying and think that you’d like to stay at university longer once you’ve finished your physics undergraduate degree, then you’ll be happy to hear that there are plenty of postgraduate opportunities available at universities across Australia for physics graduates.
Whether you’d like to pursue a master’s degree in a more applied area, such as astrophysics, cosmology, theoretical physics, or quantum mechanics, or you’re even considering a PhD, then having an undergraduate degree in physics can certainly help get you there.
Even if you’d like to move away from physics and study a different subject for your master’s, such as finance, then you should be able to pursue those avenues as well. If in doubt, consult your university’s careers adviser for further input specific to your own situation and your academic aspirations.
Why do we study physics? We want to understand more about life and the way the world around us works! However, this skill is also great for building your skills and helping you with research and education opportunities – you might even have a long talk with your physics tutor on the subject. They would know more than anyone about such opportunities!
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