Summary
- Who Is a Physicist?
- What Is Physics?
- Types of Physicists
- How to Become a Physicist in India?
- Top Colleges Offering Courses in Physics in India and Abroad.
- Benefits of Becoming a Physicist
The term physicist springs from the word physics which is the study of nature and everything that makes up nature like matter and energy.
Physics is a vast subject that covers a range of topics apart from matter and energy. It is a comprehensive subject that also includes, sound, heat, light, atoms, magnetism among other related topics.
A person who studies or researches on physics is called a physicist. Therefore, from the above definition, it is a given fact that the role of a physicist is extensive and requires certain skills to be able to fulfill the role of a good physicist.
Physics as a subject matter is a broad and boundless topic. With increasing knowledge of the world around us, physics is becoming a broader subject with every passing day.
A person who aspires to be a physicist in India, must possess certain skills and must be more inclined towards the physical matter and related topics. Let’s look at what exactly is a physicist and how to become a physicist in India.
Who Is a Physicist?
We can say that a physicist is a scientist that deals specifically with physics. So, a physicist will have immense knowledge on physics related subject matter and use this knowledge to develop new theories of matter that exist.
To understand what exactly a physicist is, let’s use a typical example. The pulley or a simple machine designed to support movement was invented based on the principles of physics, that is, the application of push and pull force to provide an advantage to a moving block.
Without the application of physics, the pulley or other similar machines, may not have been invented. The wheel is another revolutionary invention that is based on the application of physics.
Apart from energy, physics also includes matter and everything that constitutes matter like atoms and molecules. When we include atoms and molecules in the study of physics, the subject after becomes vast and unending. The study of the universe and its existence is another vast part of physics.
As physics itself is a vast topic, it is a given that the role of physicist will also be wide. Physics is also closely related to the other two sciences, that is, biology and chemistry. Therefore, there are many types of physicists depending on the subject matter.
Types of Physicists
1. Physical Chemists
Combining the two subjects of chemistry and physics, a physical chemist will work on the aspects of chemistry that use concepts of physics to develop new concepts.
2. Biophysicist
As biology is the study of human life, a biophysicist will combine the two subjects of biology and physics to make further studies into human life and existence.
3. Astrophysicist
Astronomy or the study of the universe and planets combines the subject matter of physics to come up with a unique profile of an astrophysicist.
4. Geophysicist
With a combination of geography and physics, a geophysicist will work towards the continuation of the study of the earth, its crust and core.
5. Quantum Physicist
As the name suggests, a quantum physicist will combine mathematical applications and physics to contribute to the world of physics.
6. Nuclear Physicist
The nucleus is the central and most important part of an object. It is the very genesis of the very object. A nuclear physicist will combine the theories of physics to innovate further research on the nucleus of an object.
Looking at the innumerable choices for physicists, it can be rightly claimed that physics is very broad with a wide base, covering numerous subject matters.
Skills Needed to Become a Physicist
One of the ways of how to become a physicist is to have great knowledge of physics. To be able to study physics and become a physicist, it is important to possess certain skills.
Without these skills, mastering the subject is not impossible but possessing these skills is an added advantage.
1. Problem Solving Skills
It is necessary to possess problem solving skills because in physics you will come across many situations where you are confronted with two or more choices. Being able to focus and solve the problem at the earliest is the core of the matter.
2. Critical Thinking Skills
When you ask the question- how to become a physicist in India? One of the first and foremost answers that come to mind is great critical thinking skills. Critical thinking is the ability to observe and evaluate in order to pass a judgment on a related issue.
3. Mathematical Skills
Calculations are an integral part of physics. Without the use of mathematical calculations, physical conclusions may not be accurate. The invention of machines and instruments is based on accurate mathematical calculations.
4. Technical Skills
Technical skills refer to the minute details of knowledge on specific matters that allow you to perform a particular task.
If you possess these skills, and aspire to become a physicist in India then you may be in the right direction.
In India, physicists are in high demand. This is because of the wide job profiles that use the skills of physicists. Though the job profile may seem tough, if you have the skills of a physicist then it may be the right career path to choose.
Steps to Become a Physicist
The steps to become a physicist in India start as early as your 10th grade board examinations. After you attempt your tenth-grade board examinations in India, it is important to choose science stream for 11th and 12th in order to become a physicist.
There are many combinations in the 11th grade science that include Physics as the main subject while dispelling with other subjects.
- PCMB
- PCMC
- PCME
- PCMS
Notice how all the combinations retain physics as one of the main subjects while dispelling with the others to form your choice.
The next step of how to become a physicist in India, is to choose a course after the completion of 12th. The course you take after 12th will be an undergraduate course.
Aspiring students can opt for BSc in Physics, Bachelor in Technology course or Bachelor in engineering course.
Post graduate courses in physics could include a MSc degree. Apart from this, students can also pursue physics at the Doctoral level with a PhD in Physics.
Top Colleges in India that Offer Physics Courses for Students
- Indian Institute of Astrophysics
- IIT Bombay
- IISc Bangalore
- St Stephen college New Delhi
- Madras Christian College Chennai
- Loyola College Chennai
- Hindu College New Delhi
Top Universities Outside India that Offer Physics Courses for Students
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
- University of Tokyo
- ETH Zurich (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology)
- University of California, Berkeley (UCB)
- Stanford University
- Harvard University
Benefits of Becoming a Physicist
A physicist is a high paying job which provides a lot of job satisfaction. For students who love to explore and use their critical and analytical thinking skills, a career in physics can work wonders.
1. Salary
The salary of a fully qualified physicist in India is above INR 65000/- per month. However this amount may vary according to the position, years of experience, location and other factors.
2. Dignity of Work
The work of a physicist is usually looked up with great reverence. Therefore, a physicist commands a lot of respect in society.
3. Career Prospects
There are innumerable job opportunities for physicists in India and abroad. A physicist can also enroll for higher studies and attract higher paying jobs in the market.
Conclusion
The role of a physicist today cannot be undermined. Physicists are in high demand because of revolutionary practices taking place all over the world. If your interest lies in physics, it is a good idea to pursue the course and give wings to your dreams.
