What Does A Physicist Actually Do?
A physicist is a scientist who focuses on the science of physics, which includes all of the interactions between matter and energy in the physical universe at all length and time scales.
Is a Physicist A Physician?
And what makes “physicist” so unique? Because the term “physic” traditionally covered both the practice of medicine and natural science, medical professionals are referred to as physicians. Physician was left with its relationship with medical professionals when the term “physicist” was created to denote someone who studies “physics.”
Physicist Are They Regarded?
Yes, people appreciate physicists. Most people believe that being one requires a lot of intelligence and education. Unless they want to seem like a cheery obfuscator, physicists don’t state “I’m a quantum physicist.”
Does Being A Medical Physicist Require A PhD?
For the majority of employment, a PhD in medical physics is necessary, or a PhD in a different subject combined with a residency in medical physics. Many research medical physicists divide their time between clinical work and research. Many jobs don’t call for a PhD; a two-year Master’s degree plus residency will do.
Requirements For Physicists In South Africa
| Degree Required | Ph.D. |
| Training Required | Work in a post-doctoral research position for 2 to 3 years is common |
| Education Field of Study | Physics |
| Key Skills | Analytical, critical thinking, math, problem-solving |
| Job Growth (2018-2028) | 9%* |
| Median Salary (2018) | R 1764324.26 |
How To Become A Physicist In South Africa?
Below are steps to Become Physicist In South Africa
School Level Preparation
After completion of class 10th, the students will have to choose a stream and their performance in class 10th will be evaluated for that. Some of the points that they should know for the school level preparations are:
To choose a science stream with mathematics, the candidates should have a percentage above 60 in class 10th for admission into top schools.
The candidate should have passed class 10th from ICSE/ CBSE/ State board.
The scores of the top 5 subjects will be evaluated.
Scores in all the science subjects should also be above 60%.
UG Level Preparation
At the UG level, the candidates can go for BSc/ B.Tech in the discipline of physics or mathematics. Some of the points that the students should know for the UG preparations are:
The candidates should have a minimum aggregate of 50% in class 12th to become eligible to apply to various institutes.
For admission into the BSc course, there are no such national/ state level exams. Most of the institutes take admission based on merit and some of the institutes conduct their own exams like DUET, GSAT, etc.
For admission into the B.Tech courses, the candidates may have to appear for exams like JEE-Mains, WBJEE, UPSEE, KCET, etc.
Preparing for JEE-Main can help them prepare for other such exams. They can either self-study or join coaching classes to prepare for it.
The exams are quite competitive and require proper time and dedication along with some expert guidance.
PG Level Preparation
At the PG level, the candidates will have to study MSc Physics with a specialization. To prepare for admission into the MSc course, they should know the following points:
The candidate should have completed their bachelor’s degree in physics, mathematics, or engineering.
They should have scored a minimum aggregate of 50% from a recognized university. Some institutes also ask for 60% aggregate.
The institutes evaluate students based on the marks scored in the entrance examination. The institutes usually conduct their own entrance examination. Some of such exams are DUET, JNUEE, BHU-PET, IPU CET, etc.
The examination will test the student’s aptitude and knowledge in the field of physics.
Doctorate Level Preparation
An individual is eligible to work as a physicist after completion of a master’s degree. Though having a doctorate degree helps them to conduct research of their own and also helps to find better opportunities and higher salary. Some of the points an individual should know while preparing for a Ph.D. in Physics are:
The candidates should hold an MSc/ M.Phil in Physics, material science, or any other related discipline.
They should have a minimum aggregate of 60% in PG from a recognized institute.
The candidates are selected for the Ph.D. course based on their marks in the entrance examination and also their academic history.
The candidates will have to appear for UGC-NET, JEST, etc. The candidates who haven’t appeared for these exams can also appear for the exam conducted by the institutes.
Along with preparing for the entrance exam, the candidate will have to be prepared with their research topic and also a good performance in a personal interview is required.
Where Can I Study To Become A Physicist In South Africa?
Here are the best global universities for physics in South Africa
University of Cape Town.
University of Witwatersrand.
University of Johannesburg.
University of KwaZulu Natal.
Stellenbosch University.
University of the Free State.
