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Job Definition
Teach courses pertaining to the laws of matter and energy. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of both teaching and research.
Job Zone

Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed

A bachelor's degree is the minimum formal education required for these occupations. However, many also require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).

Interests
Investigative - Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
Social - Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.
Realistic - Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
Knowledge
Physics - Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub- atomic structures and processes.
Mathematics - Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
Education and Training - Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Computers and Electronics - Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
Engineering and Technology - Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
Chemistry - Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.
Design - Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
Skills
Instructing - Teaching others how to do something.
Science - Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Mathematics - Using mathematics to solve problems.
Active Learning - Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Writing - Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Learning Strategies - Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Tasks
Write grant proposals to procure external research funding.
Perform administrative duties such as serving as department head.
Act as advisers to student organizations.
Provide professional consulting services to government and/or industry.
Compile bibliographies of specialized materials for outside reading assignments.
Participate in campus and community events.
Participate in student recruitment, registration, and placement activities.
Serve on academic or administrative committees that deal with institutional policies, departmental matters, and academic issues.
Evaluate and grade students' class work, laboratory work, assignments, and papers.
Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate and/or graduate students on topics such as quantum mechanics, particle physics, and optics.
Compile, administer, and grade examinations, or assign this work to others.
Maintain student attendance records, grades, and other required records.
Supervise students' laboratory work.
Prepare course materials such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
Maintain regularly scheduled office hours in order to advise and assist students.
Wages

In 2008, the California average annual wage was $99,180.00.

Most people employed in this occupation were paid between $54,430.00 and $156,970.00.

Outlook

During 2006, there were approximately 1,100 people employed in this field in California. It is projected that there will be 1,500 employed in 2016. This occupation will have about 40 openings due to growth and about 20 replacement openings for approximately 60 total annual openings. This occupation .

Colleges and Training
Below are college programs that are generally associated with this occupation. To view colleges that offer these programs, click on the titles below.
Physics, General - A general program that focuses on the scientific study of matter and energy, and the formulation and testing of the laws governing the behavior of the matter-energy continuum. Includes instruction in classical and modern physics, electricity and magnetism, thermodynamics, mechanics, wave properties, nuclear processes, relativity and quantum theory, quantitative methods, and laboratory methods.
Atomic/Molecular Physics - A program that focuses on the scientific study of the behavior of matter-energy phenomena at the level of atoms and molecules. Includes instruction in chemical physics, atomic forces and structure, fission reactions, molecular orbital theory, magnetic resonance, molecular bonding, phase equilibria, quantum theory of solids, and applications to the study of specific elements and higher compounds.
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