Good afternoon. I am Kathleen Nichol, and you all know Dr. Carrington. Norm has given us a few minutes of your lab time to help you decide … if this will be your last course in Physics or whether you should take more physics.
If it is your last course, you might be interested to know why it was “good for you”.
If you enjoy physics, the question is not “should you take more?” but “can we stop you from taking more?” because once you’re bitten, you are hooked.
Why study Physics?
If you like mathematics. (I do. That is what got me into physics. I like translating to math equations and solving them. Checking answers. Seeing where maths gets used.)
problem solving. ( I will tell you what I mean. It may not be just what you think it means!)
wondering why things happen. (Why does an electric plug have two different sized tines? What is a quark? How does superconducting work? )
fixing things. ( I can remember clearly the first time I unclogged a drain. Fished a toothbrush out of the bathroom sink drain. Figured out why the photogate timer didn’t work. Figured out why the speakers on my computer didn’t work. Put a door back on its hinges. Changed the spark plugs in the lawnmower.)
testing your predictions by taking measurements. (I am tickled every time I learn of a new way to measure “g”. And even more tickled when I can figure out how to make the measurement closer to the “accepted value”. More precise.)
… you may want to become a physicist, or at least study more physics.
Or you are studying physics …
Because it is required for … medicine, radiology, veterinary medicine, pharmacy, optometry, x-ray technology, geology.
Consider Physics 132 a feather in your cap! Dr. Gulliver says you should know that 132 is a difficult course because it covers so may topics. It is a survey course. You will find that later courses do not introduce a bunch more ideas; they just build on each topic in 132. Eg. Intermediate Mechanics, Electricity and Magnestism, Electronics, Quantum Physics, Condensed Matter Physics.
Dr. Gulliver notes the raised eyebrows and impressed looks he gets when they ask him what he does and he says he “studies physics”. Physics is a challenge!
Chris Paulsen says to be sure and tell you that: if you did well in 132, you will do well in higher courses!
You might like to know that employers like the skills you learn in physics!
Skills you learn in Physics:
Problem Solving: When you solve problems in physics or maths, you perhaps have found it useful to identify the givens and the requireds, and find a formula or formulas that work! Believe it or not, that is a lifelong skill! You will use the same analytic method when faced with a problem on the job or in your own life. For example, as a teacher I have been faced with the problem of teaching science to a few science-terrorized students. I had to do the same things: I asked myself “What do you know for sure (“the givens”)? How can I find out more? Who do I ask? Where do I read? Where do I start? What do I/they know already.
What do I want to do/solve? Set goals.
How can I get there? Have I seen a similar problem? Who do I need to liaise with? What areas do I need help from? Who can I trust/rely on?”
And, voila!, we have a course that teaches some physics and chemistry, not over people’s heads, with some pizzaz and fun and hands-on included.
Or you may be diagnosing aches in your patients the same way.
People skills/working with others: As you do in labs. Can you help each other solve a problem or accomplish a task? Can you learn from the way someone else tackles or views a problem? Can you explain your ideas to someone else? Can you judge character? Who do you rely on? Lend you notes to? Delegate a task to? How do you be sure that the jobs get done and everyone understands what occurred?
Willingness to learn and eagerness to learn: Your learning won’t end when you get your degree. If you are able to fight through physics problems now, reading the text, learning from lecture, learning from outside reading, learning from peers, you have developed independent learning skills. You have to not mind feeling/appearing dumb at times.
Organizational skills: getting your assignments done. Tackling bigger jobs, like exam prep in an organized manner. Organizing your notes. Filing. Record keeping (I have been amazed at the organizational skills of my son’s hockey team manager).
Writing reports and letters: Presenting ideas logically, and readably. You get a bit of this in writing up physics labs. Use all the experience you can get to practise writing/explaining clearly. You may end of as a popular science writer!
Computer Skills: Experience with word processing software like Microsoft Word. Experience with spreadsheets, as you have in your labs. As important as writing nowadays.
Another piece of advice: Use skills you are good at! In Jobs (I tutored, lab demonstrated). In volunteering (I helped friends with their homework.)
Broaden your knowledge and your circle of acquaintances. Makes you “attractive” to a wider range of employers. Makes your skills known to a wider range of potential employers or their acquaintances.
What can you do with one course (Physics 132) in physics, or a minor in physics?
Medicine. You do not need a major in zoology to go into medicine! Doctors with an undergrad degree in physics are rare and in high demand! To understand the imaging techniques, equipment. To interpret the results. Radiologists are in high demand. They only work days!
Pharmacy.
Optometry.
Chiropractic Medicine.
Veterinary Medicine.
Dentistry.
X-ray technology.
Nuclear medicine.
Veterinary Assistant.
Popular science writer.
Geophysics.
Oil and energy resources industry. Great demand. High salaries.
What can you do with a degree in Physics?
Electrical Technology.
Engineering.
Research technologist (Norm’s peers).
Computer sales.
Regulatory tasks with government agencies (inspectors). Eg. Radioactive isotope use and storage.
Research in the oil industry.
Fibre optics industry.
What can you do with a BSC in Physics and a couple more years training?
Teach.
Electronics technology (Norm).
Weather forecast.
What can you do with a Masters or PhD in Physics?
Research in the health care field.
Research in astrophysics.
Materials research (condensed matter physics, electronic devices, superconductivity, theoretical physics).
Photonics (optics, optic fibres).
Industry (white boards, computer technology and theory).