Physics at the basis of most technology

You rarely see a job ad reading "physicist required" but graduates of physics degrees are in strong demand in the marketplace.

Professor Michael Redfern, of NUI Galway's physics department, says "it's clear that for someone with a degree in physics the job scene has never been rosier. Over the last few years, every one of our graduates who wanted a job got one; of course, we can't guarantee it will stay like this forever."

He says physicists are so broadly trained they can fit in almost anywhere. "There's no physics industry as such but physics is the basis of nearly all technology. Typically, a lot of graduates will go into the electronics industry.

Professor Martin Henry, of DCU's physics department, says "I don't think students should be overly concerned about narrowing down their career options. The evidence we have from our graduates is that there are many doors open to physics graduates. When you look at the job ads you don't usually see the word physics." In fact, about 50 per cent of DCU's graduates are working in engineering positions. At the present time, job prospects are excellent with jobs for everybody.

Looking at the class of 1989, which recently gathered in DCU, about 50 per cent were working as industrial engineers within the general areas of production, quality, research and development and project management. The industries included telecommunications, semiconductor, microelectronics, computing and information technology, medical, environmental and biology. Others had gone into education at both second and third-level. About 10 per cent went into business, marketing, sales and accountancy.

Many physics graduates go to on to do research towards MSc and PhD degrees. These can lead to careers in industry, education or public service.

At DCU, students can take the common-entry to science option which allows them to select applied physics at the end of first year (other options are chemistry and biotechnology degrees).

NUI Galway offers degrees in applied physics and electronics or experimental physics as well as physics through its common-entry programme.

Of course, physics is not just on offer as an ?????????????????ab-initio degree but is also available at certificate and diploma level.

For instance, Tallaght IT offers a certificate in applied physics and instrumentation. Students apply for a common science first year, explains Dr Tim Creedon, head of the college's school of science. Then they can opt for biology, chemistry or physics in second year. There are no quotas. This year nobody opted for physics; last year, there was a class of 15.

To progress to diploma, students must have a merit in their exams. If they pass, they can acquire a year's relevant work experience and then return to college to do a diploma. There are plans to introduce an add-on degree. .

"Instrumentation and applied physics courses focus on the preparation of technicians who can commission, install, and maintain instrumentation in industry. It gives students both practical hands-on skills and the theoretical understanding necessary," says Creedon.

The jobs scene is very strong. "We can't get graduates out quickly enough . . . they find work in companies such as Intel and HP but there is an equally large demand from the pharmaceutical industry."