Best Online Physics Degree Programs

Physics is the branch of science that deals with the structure of matter and interactions between the fundamental of the observable universe.

Some features of this course are:

• The study of the universe.
• Physical forces and laws of the universe.
• Building sustainable forms of energy.
• Designing computational software and machines.
• Quantitative and Qualitative analysis and research.

Physics offers various degrees with different specializations:

• An Associate’s Degree in Physics is an undergraduate degree that can be completed in 2 years. It provides basic foundations in the subject and introduces students to topics such as electromagnetics, fluid mechanics, and mathematics.
• A Bachelor’s Degree in Physics can be completed in four years. It is an undergraduate degree that provides in-depth knowledge of the concepts of physics such as energy production, the interaction of atoms, computer fundamentals, and mathematics.
• A Master’s Degree in Physics is a two-year graduate course. It gives various specializations to study, such as the early universe, Quantum Physics, Applied Mathematics, and Computational Structures. It includes fieldwork and a research thesis.
• A Doctoral Degree in Physics mainly consists of core physics courses, specialized electives, and thesis research. The degree focuses on research and laboratory work. The duration for the completion of the course varies.

There are various specializations available, including Optics, Electrodynamics, Quantum Physics, Computational Physics, Radiology, and many more.

There is a huge scope for Physics professionals. The careers they can choose include Accelerator Operator, Applications Engineer, Data Analyst, Design Engineer, High School Physics Teacher, IT Consultant, Lab Technician, Laser Engineer, Optical Engineer, Research Associate, Software Developer, Systems Analyst, Technical Specialist, and many more.

The average wages of a physics professional is around $100,000 and is growing at around 0.6%. The total number of people in the workforce is around 1 million and is growing at a rate of 5%.

Physics is an evergreen fundamental branch that has got great scope for many years. Thus, it can be one of the best fields one can opt for, keeping in view its huge job opportunities.

What does an online physics degree involve?

If you’re thinking about getting a bachelor’s degree in physics online, it’s important to know what you’re getting yourself into. Here are three things to keep in mind:

Selecting a school

One of the first things you have to do when you’re thinking about attending an online degree program is choose a school.

If you’re planning to attend college in person, this can be a long process that involves days or weeks spent traveling and touring campuses. 

Getting an online physics degree makes this part of the process simpler. All you have to do is look at the different programs available, compare the coursework and specializations available, and compare the pricing.

There are dozens or hundreds of online degree programs out there. Take the time to find one that is reasonably priced and has a reputation for providing a good education. 

Many big-name universities, like Harvard and Yale, offer fully online degree programs so you can get a degree from a prestigious school without having to actually go to that school in person.

What courses are required?

While each school has different requirements for a physics degree, students can expect to study similar topics regardless of the school they attend.

If you’re working toward a bachelor’s degree in physics, you can expect to take some general education courses that cover the humanities, social sciences, and arts. You’ll also have to take courses that concentrate on math and physics.

Students can expect to take courses such as:

• Introduction to physics
• Calculus
• Thermodynamics
• Computational physics
• Experimental physics
• Electricity and magnetism
• Quantum physics
• Astrophysics
• Nuclear and particle physics

Most colleges will also let you choose electives to study. You can use these electives to pursue a minor in another subject, to study something you’re interested in, or to hone in on a specialization in the world of physics.

Distance learning for science

One thing that makes pursuing a degree online difficult is that you don’t have access to all of the resources an on-campus student can use. 

This can be a big problem for science students in particular, because the coursework often involves lab experiments that require specialized equipment.

Some distance learning programs will ask students to come to campus for short periods, such as one or two weeks per year, to complete essential in-person studies. 

Others provide home lab kits that you can use or have alternative ways for you to satisfy the lab requirements for your degree.

Cost of an online physics degree

One of the most difficult parts of pursuing higher education is paying for school. Many students have to borrow money to pay for college. The average student who graduates with debt owes more than $39,000 in student loans.

An online bachelor’s degree can cost between $38,496 and $60,593 on average, depending on where you live and where you study. 

This is less expensive than receiving a four-year degree at a private college or an out-of-state public school. The pricing is competitive with attending an in-state public school.

 

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By getting a degree online, you can get the education you need to advance your career while avoiding or reducing many of the costs associated with college, such as room and board. 

Keep in mind: one way to make the college experience more affordable is through scholarships.

5 examples of physics careers

There are many different career paths available to physics graduates. If you’re considering a degree in physics, here are a few of the jobs you might get after you graduate.

Physics teacher

If you enjoy teaching or working with young people, you might want to use your physics degree to educate the next generation of physicists.

Typically, physics is covered in-depth at the high school and college levels. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median pay for a high school teacher is $62,870 per year, while the median postsecondary physics teacher earns $101,290.

Teaching usually involves an advanced degree and certification, so plan to pursue a master’s degree or a doctorate if you want to be a physics teacher.

Medical physics

Physics has many valuable applications in the world of medicine. If you like taking care of people, you may want to find a job as a medical physicist.

Medical physicists often work with radiation and medical imaging tools like X-rays and MRIs. They can also assist with radiation therapies.

Nuclear medicine is another field that combines medicine and physics. It involves using radioactive medicine, called radiopharmaceuticals, to assist with imaging or the treatment of specific diseases.

Those who want to pursue a career in medical physics should study a mixture of physics and medical subjects, as experience with both will be essential to finding a job and succeeding in it.

Particle physics

If you enjoy research and learning new things, a career in particle physics might be a good fit for you. These jobs are almost entirely located in labs and research institutions where scientists work to understand the most basic elements of the universe.

While there are few practical applications of the work involved in particle physics, the things that particle physicists discover can have far-reaching implications. 

If you want to learn about the universe and discover something that might change how we view the world, particle physics could be a fulfilling career.

Nuclear physics

Nuclear physics is all about using the power of the smallest building blocks of the universe. 

Working in nuclear physics can mean anything from working in a hospital doing imaging work to helping to operate nuclear power plants.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median nuclear engineer makes $116,140 per year, making it a very lucrative field to work in.

Space physics

Space is one of the final frontiers for human exploration. People with a strong knowledge of science, and especially physics, will be essential to helping humanity continue to explore space.

Space physicists study things like magnetic fields, cosmic rays, space weather, dark matter, and communications. You may be responsible for helping to launch and place satellites in orbit or studying things like how dark matter interacts with the universe.

Conclusion

There are many ways to go about getting your physics degree. You don’t have to report to a classroom every day in order to get a quality education in this scientific field. 

Online physics degrees can be a convenient and affordable way to break into the world of physics and accomplish great things with a satisfying career. 

For more information on the best online colleges, check out the resources here on The College Monk.