How Do You Become A Theoretical Physicist?
Theoretical physicists are on the cutting edge of science exploration. They use math to observe and understand the natural world. Theoretical physics is one of the most challenging career paths. Job opportunities are competitive and limited. This article covers some of the main points to consider on your journey to become a theoretical physicist. Get an Undergraduate Degree Step 1 Start early if you can, by getting good grades in algebra, geometry and advanced math classes at the high school level. Strive to maintain a high grade point average to help you get into the best universities. Step 2 Score high on the SAT. Participate in SAT preparatory classes and practice tests from the previous years (see Resources). Step 3 Take college level introductory science and math courses. Laboratory experience is fundamental to continue on as a theoretical physicist. Step 4 Join the “Society of Physics Students” (SPS) and the “American Physical Society” (APS) for career guidance and financial aid.
This is an article for students and others who are thrilled by the challenges posed by real science, and who are determined to use their brains to discover new things about the physical world that we are living in. In short, it is for all those who decided to study theoretical physics, in their own time. • Be serious about learning the subject. • If you are in high school or earlier, take all the science classes you can get. It is likely that your high school class will approach physics largely from a Newtonian perspective. • If you are at or approaching a university level, enroll in university classes in your chosen field. • Explore physics on your own, too, no matter what your age. There are many popular science books on the subject exploring topics in modern and classical physics in varying detail. • Read up on the history of physics and other science. Understand how new discoveries come about and how they often challenge societal and even scholarly assumptions about the workings of
