Physics BS & BTech & Bachelors

BSC IN PHYSICS IN THE USA

Program Description

-  The program generally has a duration of 4 years and aims at providing substantial groundwork and base in classic and modern physics for its students. The designed program helps students to develop skills that help them enter into careers of teaching, research, business, and technology.

-   The US universities have highly qualified faculties who offer research projects which give students the opportunity to participate in such projects. The faculty members also guide students for pursuing their own projects.   

-   Along with the graduate course in physics and related fields, the program prepares the student professionally to work in fields like astrophysics, geophysics, biophysics, engineering and applied physics, law, and medicine.

-    In some top universities, the program is available in two formats; one for those who wish for a focused plan and the other for those who wish for a flexible plan with nontraditional career plans.

 

Eligibility

-         The applicant must have passed his/her 12^th (10+2) with physics among the compulsory subjects.

-         The applicant must obtain marks above 70 or an average GPA of 3.0 or above in his/her 12^th examination.

-         Recommended courses include 4 years of English, Mathematics to the level of calculus, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and 2 or more years of history and social sciences.

-         SAT/ACT or TOEFL or IELTS scores: The score level differs from each university and it is not required in all the universities. However, it is recommended for a non-native English speaker.

 

Courses

The physics program has not only practical work and experimentation but includes lots of theoretical learning and complex mathematics. Some key topics/subjects during the course are: -

-         Modern Physics

-         Mathematical Methods for Physics

-         Mechanics

-         Quantum Mechanics

-         Introduction to Astronomy

-         Astrobiology

-         General Physics with calculus

-         Nuclear Physics

-         Classical Mechanics

A further classification in the topics of Physics can be as follows:-

Concentrations

Electricity and Magnetism: - It deals with the learning about laws of electricity and magnetism and their correlation with each other. You will gain in-depth knowledge of electro statistics, magneto statistics, steady currents, DC circuits, etc. 

Space and Time: - It deals with the study of special relativity and four-dimensional geometry. A few concepts in thermodynamics, thermal, and statistical physics are also discussed in this concentration.

Thermodynamics: - This covers the key laws related to thermodynamics and about how energy is used and converted throughout a system. It also covers topics of statistical mechanics and entropy.

Quantum Physics: - This will introduce you to the concepts of quantum mechanics and increase knowledge in wave functions, solutions, the Schrodinger equation, and quantum numbers.

Nuclear Physics: - It deals with the study of the atomic nucleus and different forms and properties of radioactivity. The key areas of focus here are radioactive decay and fission which help in explaining theories like the big bang.

Relativity: - Topics of study include general theory of relativity, concepts of space-time, black holes, relativity in cosmology and astrophysics, gravity and gravitational waves.

Geophysics: - It deals with the study of Earth in terms of general physical principles. For this, you will learn concepts of magnetism, heat, waves, and radioactivity in this concentration.

Admission requirements

A general application must include the following:-

-         Online Application form: - The form can be obtained from the official website of the selected universities. It includes academic information and a summary of your previous educational courses and personal information.

-         Academic Transcripts: - Transcripts include details of your educational background, your mark sheets, special achievements, etc. You can get these from your previous school/college on request.

-         Letters of Recommendation: - Generally, 2 or 3 letters are required to be submitted before the deadline prescribed by the university. These may include your academic strengths, hidden potentials, teamwork, and technical skills, etc which are to be filled by your professors.

-         Standardized tests: - GRE test scores are not necessary to be provided unless it is a mandatory requirement. English Proficiency tests like TOEFL, IELTS, and SAT are required for applicants whose native language is not English and who do not have a bachelor’s degree from a US university where English is the central language of instruction.

-         Statement of purpose: - Your statement of purpose should represent your interest, reasons for joining the course specifically, future academic goals, Scientific and research interests, and motivations for further studies.

 

-         Application fee: - The application fee ranges from $100 - $150.

 

Tuition fees

The top universities in the USA have tuition costs around $55,000 per year. But, the overall tuition costs for bachelors in US universities range from $20,000 - $60,000/ year for international candidates. So, on average, a graduation course of four years may cost around $1, 30,000. Accommodation cost in the USA depends on the location of your stay and starts from $500 per month to $3500 per month. You can also check funding and scholarships provided by the US government and individual universities.

 

Best Universities

-         Stanford University

-         University of Michigan

-         Princeton University

-         Columbia University

-         Northwestern University

-         University of Pennsylvania

-         Duke University

-         University of Minnesota – Twin Cities

-         University of California – Berkeley

-         University of California – Los Angeles

-         Yale University

-         University of Texas – Austin

-         Johns Hopkins University

Career outlook and opportunities

-         According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the overall employment of physicists and astronomers is expected to grow 9% during the years 2018 – 2028. The fields in which physicists will experience considerable growth are scientific research, educational services, health care, and social assistance industries.  

-         There are healthy competitions for traditional research-based jobs. But, still, job prospects are adequate for physicists in the fields of applied research, development, and related technical areas.

-         The median wage for physicists is around $122,000/year according to BLS reports of 2019. In industries like the federal government, the annual wage goes around $148,000. Health care services have the highest salaries which are around $160,000/year, while scientific research and development wages go around $130,000. Physicists in schools, universities are paid around $86,000/year. Some physics jobs you may come across are listed below: -

 

-         Aerospace Engineer

-         Astrophysicist

-         Research Physicist

-         Mechanical Engineer

-         Geophysicist

-         Quantum Scientist

-         Medical Physicist

-         Laboratory technician

-         Accelerator operator

-         Research scientist

 

You can find internship opportunities in reputed companies in the USA like:

-         Accenture

-         IBM

-         Boeing

-         Air force research laboratory

-         Donald C. Cook Nuclear Plant

-         JP Morgan Chase

-         Great American Financial Resources

-         Meyer Sound Laboratories 

-         Wright-Patterson Air force Base

-         Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Lab

 

 

If you wish to study abroad, please connect with Whizstorm for the best international career plans.