Are you passionate about Physics? Have you explored being in Physicist? The Physicist is a popular career option for people who wish to work in the research field. The main part of the job includes researching the principles of Physics. The course also involves teaching the advanced level of Physics to research scholars and students in higher education programs. There are many sub-topics in Physics, and the Physicist can make a career in one of those sub-topics. It also falls under the responsibility area of the Physicist to research the theory and to update it if required. There are new development in the field, and there is also a scope of improvement in the present theories through experimentation.
Today, more and more students are an option for their career as Physicist, and it is expected that the number will keep on rising. Until now, there had been a low turn around in the field in India, but because of the research centres and knowledge hubs growing in India, the number has increased exponentially. Physicists form our education system’s base as they teach interested students about the critical concepts and new methods to solve the existing problems.In this article, we have listed the ways to become a physicist in India. You can go ahead and check out the details below.
Eligibility Criteria for Becoming a Physicists
One of the important thing about choosing any career is the eligibility associated with it. Below are the eligibility criteria details related to becoming a Physicist
- You should choose PCM subjects in 10+2, and you should score a minimum of 60%.
- You need to clear the entrance tests for B.Sc., M.Sc., and you need to have a valid score for admission.
- If you choose M.Sc. or B.Sc. from a foreign university, you need to clear a language exam like IELTS or TOEFL. You would also need to clear the aptitude assessment for the university.
- Some of the skills required to become a successful Physicist are
- Ability to Work in Team
- Attention to Details
- Logical Reasoning
- Mathematical Ability
- Motivated
- Presentation Skills
- Problem Solving Skills
- Scientific Reasoning
- Technical Knowledge
- Writing Skills
Becoming a Physicists
In this section, we have listed the basic steps that you can follow to become a Physicist. Go through the steps below.
- You need to start the preparation from the 10th class onwards. You need to ensure that you score enough inboard to be able to get non-medical in class 11th. This is the basic eligibility criteria as well, to begin with.
- After completing your 10+2, you can take B.Sc. in Physics, and after that, you need to take M.Sc. Here, you can also take an integrated program that has a B.Sc + M.Sc. in them. There are a lot of universities offering such courses as well.
- Alternatively, you can opt for an MS degree as well. You can choose a college within India or outside India for the course. Apart from this, you need to take the field where you would like to make a career in.
- After completing the M.Sc., you would need to take a PhD. You can even opt for M.Phil as this is yet another doctorate program available to you. With these, your journey will be complete, and you will be called a Physicist.
Also Read: How to Become an Astrophysicist in India?
Courses & Subjects for Becoming Physicists
You should also look at the courses available to become a Physicists. In this section, we have listed the courses at all three levels so that you can plan your career.
- Bachelor Level Courses
- B.Sc. Applied Physics
- B.Sc. Hons. Physics
- B.Sc. Mathematics with Allied Physics
- B.Sc. Physical Sciences
- B.Sc. Physics
- B.Sc. Physics with Allied Chemistry
- Master Level Courses
- M.Sc. Applied Physics
- M.Sc. Applied Physics
- M.Sc. Applied Physics and Ballistics
- M.Sc. Applied Solid State Physics
- M.Sc. Biophysics
- M.Sc. Geophysics
- M.Sc. Hons. Physics
- M.Sc. Nuclear Physics and Technology
- Doctorate level Courses
- M.Phil Physics
- M.Phil Applied Physics
- M.Phil Physics
- PhD Applied Physics
- PhD Biophysics
- PhD Chemical Thermodynamics
- PhD in Nuclear Physics
- PhD Kinematics
- PhD Physics
- PhD Thin Films
We have also covered the generalized subjects that you will study during B.Sc. and M.Sc. We can’t call for subjects you will study in PhD as they will depend on the stream you choose. Check out the major subjects for B.Sc. & M.Sc. below
- Bachelor Level
- Atomic and Molecular Physics
- Chemistry
- Digital electronics
- Electricity and Magnetism
- Electromagnetic Theory
- Electronic Devices
- Kinetic theory and thermodynamics
- Mathematical Physics
- Mathematics
- Mathematics-II (Analysis & Statistics)
- Mechanics
- Mechanics and wave motion
- Microprocessors & Computer Programming
- Nuclear & Particle Physics
- Numerical Analysis
- Oscillations & Waves
- Quantum Mechanics
- Solid State Physics
- Statistical Physics
- Technical Writing & Communication in English
- Thermal Physics
- Master Level
- Advanced Optics
- Astrophysics
- Atomic Spectroscopy
- Classical Electrodynamics
- Classical Mechanics
- Electronics
- Group Theory
- Mathematical Methods
- Molecular Spectroscopy
- Nuclear Physics
- Quantum Mechanics
- Relativity and Cosmology
- Solid State Physics
- Statistical Mechanics
Specializations for Physicists
There are multiple areas where Physicist may work in. In this section, we have listed some of the specializations that you can choose. We will list only the fields as the definition of these fields is just a search away.
- Astrophysics
- Material Sciences
- Mathematical Physics
- Nanotechnology
- Nuclear Physics
- Particle Physics
- Plasma Physics
- Quantum Physics
- Solid State Physics
Job Profile of Physicist
The Physicist does the experiments based on the theories of physics. They often analyze the law of physics that revolves around motion, space, energy, time and matter. Some researchers are into carrying out theoretical research while others work towards the practical aspect of it. A physicist working on the practical aspect may also work on large experiments like the electron microscope and particle accelerator. Different responsibility area for Physicist may include the following items.
- The Physicist also collects and analyze the data that they or someone else collected from the experiments.
- Physicist work on the collection of data and development of theories based on the experiment conducted by them.
- Collaborating with students and scientists for research and development.
- A physicist may even work in the healthcare field and help develop new medical equipment for the health care industry.
- Researching and developing various theories and models of physics.
- Helping in developing and manufacturing scientific equipment that needs laser, infrared, microwave, and other similar components.
- Helping students with the experiments & research work.
- Participating in research paper writings and publish them for the audience.
- Teaching in colleges & universities.
Career Prospects of Physicists
You can work in various sectors after you have completed the education. You can work in Energy, Manufacturing, Instrumentation, Aerospace, Telecommunication and Defence sector. The career has a lot of scope since India is one of the developing nations. The spending on R&D is at an all-time high. You have an option to work in the defence and robotic department, or you can even lead the nuclear program of the country. There are a lot of job opportunities available in the Computers, Electronics & AI Field. A lot of power generation and energy companies also hire Physicists. You can also move towards the management role as you progress in your career. Overall, the career prospects of Physicists are quite bright.
Talking about the pay grade, graduates’ salary would be anywhere between Rs 3 LPA & Rs 6 LPA. For the masters, the grade remains the same. However, there will be a slight increase as well. For the doctorate level, the fresher candidates can earn close to Rs 8 LPA.
Employment Opportunity for Physicists
Let us first look at job roles available to the candidates who are planning to work as Physicists.
- Consulting Physicist
- Content Developer
- Junior Research Fellow
- Lab Assistant
- Lab Supervisor
- Medical Physicist
- Quality Control Manager
- Radiation Physicist
- Radiologist
- Research Associate
- Research Scientist
- Researcher & Technician
- Scientific Officer
- Scientist
- Senior Physicist
- Statistician
- Subject Matter Expert
- Teacher & Lecturer
- Technical Writer
Recruiters for Physicists
It always makes sense to have a dream company before you start your education. This will keep you motivated, and you will also be able to take the right steps in the direction. Below are the top recruiters for which hires experts in physics
- Bhabha Atomic Research Centre
- Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited
- CSIR-National Physical Laboratory of India
- Cognizant
- Indian Institute of Science
- Indian Space Research Organization
- Infosys
- Mahindra & Mahindra
- Maruti
- National Thermal Power Corporation
- NPCIL
- Nuclear Science Center
- Oil and Natural Gas Corporation
- Physical Research Laboratory
- Physical Research Laboratory PRL
- Physics Research Laboratory
- Samsung
- Siemens
- Solid State Physics Laboratory
- Tech Mahindra
- Wipro
Final Verdict
This was all about becoming a Physicist in India. The career is bright, and you have a lot of opportunities as well. You can get a chance to work with a private organization that is into research and development, or you can work with the government as well. You can appear for exams like that of the Nuclear Power Corporation of India and enter the field of Nuclear Physics. Similarly, you can also work with National Physics Laboratory. These jobs are highly valued, and in the coming future, the scope of Physicist will surely increase.
You need to be extremely good at Mathematics and Physics to become a Physicist. You can choose your specialization depending on your interest. We have tried to cover every aspect of the journey to becoming a Physicist. If you have any other question about becoming a Physicist or if you have any other doubt, you can write back to us. We will get you expert guidance depending on your comment. You can also research the profession on other government forums, and this will give you an idea about the present employment opportunities. With this, we will conclude the article now.
Rahul Kumar is a passionate educator, writer, and subject matter expert in the field of education and professional development. As an author on CoursesXpert, Rahul Kumar’s articles cover a wide range of topics, from various courses, educational and career guidance.
