Physics Courses in India

Physics Courses in India aren’t meant for everyone, barring the intellectually endowed with the subject in focus. Physics Education in India is renowned as India has produced physicists like C.V. Raman, Satyendra Nath Bose, Homi Bhabha, APJ Abdul Kalam and others. Physics is a natural science that involves the study of matter and its motion through space time, as well as all applicable concepts, such as energy and force. Physics is one of the oldest academic disciplines, perhaps the oldest through its inclusion of astronomy. Physics is also called the 'Fundamental Science' as it covers a wide range of phenomena, from the smallest sub-atomic particles (such as quarks, neutrinos and electrons), to the largest galaxies and these phenomena are itself composed of most basic objects from which all other things are composed. Another reason for calling it a 'Fundamental Science' because each of the other disciplines like biology, chemistry, geology, material science, engineering, medicine etc. deals with particular types of material systems that obey the laws of physics. Physics and Mathematics are closely associated with each other as they provide the logical framework in which physical laws may be precisely formulated and predictions quantified. A Physicist is a scientist trained in physics. Physicists examine the basic laws of nature and are mainly involved in experimentation and expanding and refining theories. They also apply their predictions and theories to other fields - chemistry, biology, geophysics, engineering, communication, transportation, electronics and health.

Physics in India: Specialized Fields

• Acoustical Physics
• Astrophysics
• Astronomy
• Biophysics
• Fibre Optical Physics
• Fluid Physics
• Geophysics
• Materials Physics
• Medical / Health Physics
• Molecular Physics
• Nuclear Physics
• Optical Physics
• Plasma Physics

Physics Courses in India: Content

The study of this field includes all or few of these –

1. Physics of Materials.
2. Statistical Physics.
3. Mathematical Physics.
4. Vibrations and wave Optics.
5. Physics Practicals.

Objectives

• To utilise all aspects of Physics to their full potential.
• To refine and invent new approaches in modernising humanity in innumerable ways.
• To work together or in tandem with specialists in other fields to serve humanity.

Physics Courses in India: Basic Requirements

Education and Academic - Most degree colleges offer physics courses in India at under graduate level (general or pass and honours) leading to a B.Sc. degree. All central universities and leading state universities offer post graduate and doctoral Program in Physics. Several leading private universities also offer master's in physics. The teaching of Physics in distance education mode at graduation, post graduation and doctoral level is offered by IGNOU and several other universities recognized by distance education council. Post graduate and doctoral Program in Physics is also offered by all IITs, IISc., TIFR and JNU. Admission to these Programs is either through JEE (integrated MSc.) or through Joint Admission Test to M.Sc (JAM) or through institute level entrance tests / interviews. Admissions to doctoral Program are on the basis of NET / GATE combined with institute level tests / interviews. Several National Institutes of Technology also offer masters in Physics / Applied Physics. B.Tech in engineering physics is offered by IIT Delhi through JEE.

Students having proficiency in physics at senior secondary level can sit for prestigious exams like National Standard Examination in Physics which leads to National and International Physics Olympiad Examinations. These exams are conducted by Indian Association of Physics Teachers under the aegis of Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE), Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR). A success in Physics Olympiad ensures a bright career in Physics education and research from prestigious institutes like Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bangalore, TIFR, NISER Bhubaneshwar, IISERs and subsequent absorption as scientists in reputed national laboratories and scientific organizations.

Physics Institutes in India

• IITs
• Tata Institute of Fundamental Research
• Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore
• Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University
• St. Stephens College

Personal Attributes - One needs to have a passion for understanding how things work and enjoy scientific experiments and mathematics.

Job Perspectives

Physics offers a variety of work activities and opens doors to employment opportunities throughout the world in government, industry, schools, and private organizations. Physics Jobs in India are abundant in national laboratories & organizations like BARC, DRDO, SSPL, ISRO, Space Application Centres (SAC), National Atmospheric Research laboratory of department of space, Inter university accelerator centres (IUAC), Indira Gandhi Centre for atomic research (IGCAR) Kalpakkam, Raja Ramanna Centre for advanced Technology (RRCAT) Indore, Variable Energy Cyclotron Centre (VECC) Calcutta, Uranium Corporation of India Limited, Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited, Nuclear fuel complex, Heavy Water Board, Atomic mineral directorate etc.

In research institutes such as PRL Ahmedabad, IPR Gandhinagar, IUCAA, Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics Calcutta, ARIES, Uttrakhand, Indian Institute of Geomagnetism, Centre for Liquid Crystal Research (CLCR), UGC DAE CSR. There is no dearth of positions in constituent laboratories & institutes of CSIR like National Physical Laboratory (NPL), National Geophysical Research Institute, Regional Research Laboratories, National Institute of Science, Technology and Development Studies (NISTADS), Institute of Materials & Mineral Technology (IMMT), National Institute of Science Communication and Information Resources (NISCAIR) etc. Those proficient in Physics can also acquire teaching positions in secondary & higher secondary schools, degree colleges, polytechnics, engineering colleges & state and central universities, prestigious institutions including IITs, IISc, IISERs. Some reputed coaching institutes also offer very good pay packages.

Some Job Types

• Lab Supervisor
• Researcher
• Technician
• Teacher
• Manager
• Scientists
• Consulting Physicist
• Research Associate
• Senior Physicist
• Assistant Scientist
• Radiation Oncologist.
• Radiologist
• Professor

Some Employment Areas

• Research Institutes
• Laboratories & Institutes
• Educational Institutes
• Agricultural Research Services
• Hospitals
• Power Generating Companies
• Aviation Industry
• Construction Firms
• Demolition Squads
• Pyrotechnics Manufacturers