Occupation Details
Physics Teachers, Postsecondary
Teach courses pertaining to the laws of matter and energy. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
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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.
Work Values
Achievement
Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.
Working Conditions
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.
Recognition
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status.
Salary & Job Outlook
Starting Salary
$65,840.00
New York StateMedian Salary
$105,230.00
New York StateExperienced Salary
$147,010.00
New York StateNational Average for Comparison
New York State Job Market Outlook
Jobs Right Now (2018)
2,220
professionals in NYFuture Job Growth (2030)
2,530
+31 jobs/yearNew Jobs Every Year
249
new opportunities yearlyGrowth Rate
0.1%
projected increasePreparation: Experience, Training, and Education
The list below outlines the prior educational experience required to perform in this occupation.
More School - Graduate or advanced degree
Experience Requirements
Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
Education Requirements
Most of these occupations 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).
Training Details
Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
Transferrable Skills and Experience
These occupations often involve coordinating, training, supervising, or managing the activities of others to accomplish goals. Very advanced communication and organizational skills are required. Examples include pharmacists, lawyers, astronomers, biologists, clergy, physician assistants, and veterinarians.
School Programs
The following lists school programs which are applicable to this occupation.
Licensing & Certification
State License and Certifications Requirements are not currently associated with this occupation.
Skills
The list below includes the skills required by workers in this occupation; skills are what allow you to learn more quickly and improve your performance.
Instructing
Teaching others how to do something.
Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Science
Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
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.
Writing
Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
Active Learning
Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Learning Strategies
Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
Skill level is measured on a seven point scale, where one means 'some competence required for this occupation' and seven means 'a high level of expertise required for this occupation'.
Knowledge
The list below includes knowledge items, the principles and facts required by this occupation.
Mathematics
Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
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.
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.
Knowledge level is measured on a seven point scale, where one means 'some competence required for this occupation' and seven means 'a high level of expertise required for this occupation'.
Work Environment
The list below includes the physical and social factors that influence the nature of work in this occupation.
Hover over or tap each factor to see its description.
Work Styles
Included in the list below are the personal work style characteristics that can affect how well a worker is likely to perform in this occupation.
Achievement/Effort
Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
Analytical Thinking
Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
Attention to Detail
Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Cooperation
Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
Dependability
Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Independence
Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
Initiative
Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
Integrity
Job requires being honest and ethical.
Persistence
Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
Self-Control
Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
Tools & Technology
This list below describes the machines, equipment, tools, software, and information technology that workers in this occupation will use.
Tools
- Analytical ultracentrifuges
- Carousel slide projectors
- Circular dichroism CD spectrometers
- Compact digital cameras
- Compact disk CD players
- Computer data input scanners
- Computer laser printers
- Concave mirrors
- Conference telephones
- Convex mirrors
- Desktop computers
- Digital calculators
- Digital video cameras
- Digital video disk DVD players
- Far infrared FIR lasers
- Global positioning system GPS receivers
- Handheld microphones
- Holography equipment
- Interactive whiteboard controllers
- Interactive whiteboards
- Laptop computers
- Laser facsimile machines
- Laser systems
- Liquid crystal display LCD projectors
- Liquid crystal display LCD televisions
- MP3 digital voice recorders
- Microcalorimeters
- Microphone podiums
- Multi-line telephone systems
- Multimedia projection equipment
Technology
- Autodesk AutoCAD
- Blackboard Learn
- C
- C++
- Calendar and scheduling software
- Collaborative editing software
- Computer aided design CAD software
- Course management system software
- DOC Cop
- Desire2Learn LMS software
- Edmodo
- Email software
- Formula translation/translator FORTRAN
- Gnuplot
- Google Docs
- Gravitation software
Duties
Duties are job behaviors describing activities that occur on multiple jobs. The generalized and detailed work activities described in the list below apply to this occupation.
- maintain educational records, reports, or files
- prepare educational reports
- encourage group participation
- direct and coordinate scientific research or investigative studies
- evaluate student performance
- make education presentations
- advise students
- advise governmental or industrial personnel
- write research or project grant proposals
- record student progress
- collect scientific or technical data
- collect academic research data
- compile bibliographies of specialized materials
- design classroom presentations
- analyze scientific research data or investigative findings
- conduct field research or investigative studies
- conduct laboratory research or experiments
- conduct nuclear research
- perform statistical analysis in physical science or geological research
- conduct research on work-related topics
- write scholarly or technical research papers
- present research papers or dissertations on physical science issues
- use oral or written communication techniques
- use scientific research methodology
- use teaching techniques
- use public speaking techniques
- use physical science research techniques
- use quantitative research methods
- use library or online Internet research techniques
- use computers to enter, access or retrieve educational data
- convert information into instructional program
- develop instructional materials
- organize educational material or ideas
- teach college level courses
- develop course or training objectives
Tasks
The list below outlines specific tasks that a worker in this occupation is called upon to do regularly.
- Evaluate and grade students' class work, laboratory work, assignments, and papers.
- Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
- Compile, administer, and grade examinations, or assign this work to others.
- Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as quantum mechanics, particle physics, and optics.
- Maintain regularly scheduled office hours to advise and assist students.
- Supervise undergraduate or graduate teaching, internship, and research work.
- Initiate, facilitate, and moderate classroom discussions.
- Maintain student attendance records, grades, and other required records.
- Plan, evaluate, and revise curricula, course content, course materials, and methods of instruction.
- Supervise students' laboratory work.
- Keep abreast of developments in the field by reading current literature, talking with colleagues, and participating in professional conferences.
- Collaborate with colleagues to address teaching and research issues.
- Write grant proposals to procure external research funding.
- Conduct research in a particular field of knowledge and publish findings in professional journals, books, or electronic media.
- Advise students on academic and vocational curricula and on career issues.
- Select and obtain materials and supplies, such as textbooks and laboratory equipment.
- Maintain and repair laboratory equipment.
- Perform administrative duties, such as serving as department head.
- Participate in student recruitment, registration, and placement activities.
- Serve on academic or administrative committees that deal with institutional policies, departmental matters, and academic issues.
- Compile bibliographies of specialized materials for outside reading assignments.
- Act as advisers to student organizations.
- Participate in campus and community events.
- Provide professional consulting services to government or industry.
Learning Resources
More information on this occupation may be found in the links provided below.
Fizzics Fizzle
Fizzics Fizzle, your interactive guide to physics is a comprehensive guide to understanding the world of physics. It offers content for students who have never been exposed to the world of physics before to the physics curriculum generally taught in introductory college physics classes and high school Advanced Placement Physics C classes.
Learn MoreTeachers-postsecondary
Visit this link for additional information on this career from the Occupational Outlook Handbook; a publication produced and maintained by the United States Department of Labor.
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