Physics Program

The physics degree program at California Institute of Technology instructs students on the scientific study of matter and energy, as well as the testing and formulation of laws that govern the behavior of the matter-energy continuum. Students who graduate the physics degree program may follow a career path in ecology, healthcare, archaeology, and more. Course instruction includes classes in classical and modern physics, electricity and magnetism, thermodynamics, wave properties, nuclear processes, relativity and quantum theory, and more. Get more details below including other California colleges that offer physics program.

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California Institute of Technology (Caltech)

200 McAllister Street, San Francisco, CA

California Institute of Technology is a nonprofit private university that has a large selection of majors and degree programs available for students to choose from. The school is located in Pasadena, CA, in a predominantly urban area. Enrollment at California Institute of Technology exceeds 2,200 yearly.

Areas of study offered at Caltech include but are not limited to:

• Physical Sciences
• Engineering
• Computer And Information Sciences
• Biological And Biomedical Sciences

Students applying for admission are generally required to submit an application, transcripts, standardized test scores and any requested application essays, which will then be reviewed by the admissions staff. Either the ACT or SAT exam can be taken in order to be able to apply to this school. Scores in a range of 33 to 35 on the ACT or 2160 to 2380 on the SAT are required to greatly increase the chance of admission. Only 13 percent of applicants are admitted to the school due to the high volume of applicants for the limited enrollment spots. More information from the admissions office can be found at admissions.caltech.edu.

The cost of tuition is close to $41,000 for the year. Tuition prices may change for a variety of reasons, and that is why students should use the school's price of attendance calculator to understand their personalized cost estimate of attendance. Housing is available for students and costs about $7,200 each year. This school may offer financial aid for students who qualify in the form of scholarships, grants, and loans.

The California Institute of Technology Beavers participate in several intercollegiate athletic programs, with competitions managed and overseen by the NCAA. Athletic programs available:

• Baseball (NCAA Division III)
• Basketball (NCAA Division III)
• Fencing (NCAA Division III)

Contact information, financial aid information, areas of study, and much more may be accessed on school's website at http://www.caltech.edu.

Students Enrolled in the Physics Program

Get more details below regarding enrollment, academics, and school demographics. California Institute of Technology has offered the following academic levels for students:

• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree
• Doctorate Degree

Students by Academic Level (2019)

Students by Gender (2019)

Students by Race (2019)

Source: IPEDS Survey 2012-2020: Data obtained from the US Dept. of Education's Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). Data may vary depending on school and academic year.

Career Options for Graduates

Natural Sciences Managers

Description

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as life sciences, physical sciences, mathematics, statistics, and research and development in these fields.

Career Outlook & Projections ()

According to the BLS, natural sciences managers employment is expected to grow at a rate of 3.3% from 2014 to 2024

Salary & Wages

• Oakland-Hayward-Berkeley, CA Metropolitan Division
  • Average Hourly Rate: $74.96
  • Average Annual Salary: $155910
• San Francisco-Redwood City-South San Francisco, CA Metropolitan Division
  • Total Employment: 1
  • Average Hourly Rate: $96.35
  • Average Annual Salary: $200400

Physicists

Description

Conduct research into physical phenomena, develop theories on the basis of observation and experiments, and devise methods to apply physical laws and theories.

Career Outlook & Projections ()

According to the BLS, physicists employment is expected to grow at a rate of 7.9% from 2014 to 2024

Salary & Wages

• Oakland-Hayward-Berkeley, CA Metropolitan Division
  • Total Employment: 120
  • Average Hourly Rate: $67.73
  • Average Annual Salary: $140870
• San Francisco-Redwood City-South San Francisco, CA Metropolitan Division
  • Average Hourly Rate: $55.69
  • Average Annual Salary: $115830

Physics Teachers, Postsecondary

Description

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.

Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education

Description

Teach students in one or more subjects, such as English, mathematics, or social studies at the secondary level in public or private schools. May be designated according to subject matter specialty.

Source: Job descriptions, estimated salary and wages, and projected job growth are taken from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).