Occupation

Physics Teachers, Postsecondary

Human Advantage 73%

Significant human skills needed

AI Automation Risk Low Risk
1.9 / 10

This occupation requires complex human judgment, social interaction, and creative problem-solving that are difficult to automate.

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.

Also Known As: Acoustics Teacher, Adjunct Instructor, Adjunct Physics Instructor, Adjunct Professor, Aerodynamics Professor, Aerodynamics Teacher, Assistant Professor, Associate Professor +35 more

Video

Core Tasks

  1. Evaluate and grade students' class work, laboratory work, assignments, and papers.
  2. Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
  3. Compile, administer, and grade examinations, or assign this work to others.
  4. Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as quantum mechanics, particle physics, and optics.
  5. Maintain regularly scheduled office hours to advise and assist students.
  6. Supervise undergraduate or graduate teaching, internship, and research work.
  7. Initiate, facilitate, and moderate classroom discussions.
  8. Maintain student attendance records, grades, and other required records.
  9. Plan, evaluate, and revise curricula, course content, course materials, and methods of instruction.
  10. Supervise students' laboratory work.
  11. Keep abreast of developments in the field by reading current literature, talking with colleagues, and participating in professional conferences.
  12. Collaborate with colleagues to address teaching and research issues.
  13. Advise students on academic and vocational curricula and on career issues.
  14. Conduct research in a particular field of knowledge and publish findings in professional journals, books, or electronic media.
  15. Select and obtain materials and supplies, such as textbooks and laboratory equipment.
  16. Maintain and repair laboratory equipment.
  17. Perform administrative duties, such as serving as department head.
  18. Participate in student recruitment, registration, and placement activities.
  19. Serve on academic or administrative committees that deal with institutional policies, departmental matters, and academic issues.

Supplemental Tasks (5)

  1. Write grant proposals to procure external research funding.
  2. Compile bibliographies of specialized materials for outside reading assignments.
  3. Participate in campus and community events.
  4. Act as advisers to student organizations.
  5. Provide professional consulting services to government or industry.

Emerging Tasks

New and evolving responsibilities for this role:

  • Review articles to determine their suitability for publication.

Education & Training

Job Zone 5 Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
Education: Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
Experience: Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
On-the-Job Training: Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.

Education Level Distribution

Percentage of workers in this occupation with each education level.

Doctoral Degree
54%
Master's Degree
25%
Post-Doctoral Training
21%
Post-Master's Certificate - awarded for completion of an organized program of study; designed for people who have completed a Master's degree but do not meet the requirements of academic degrees at the doctoral level.
0%

Technology & Tools

Hot Technologies

  • Autodesk AutoCAD
  • C
  • C++
  • Google Docs
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Office software
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Microsoft Word
  • Perl
  • The MathWorks MATLAB

Software (46)

  • Blackboard Learn
  • Calendar and scheduling software
  • Collaborative editing software
  • Computer aided design CAD software
  • Course management system software
  • DOC Cop
  • Desire2Learn LMS software
  • Edmodo
  • Email software
  • FFTPACK
  • FFTW
  • Formula translation/translator FORTRAN
  • GIPSY-OASIS
  • GNU Octave
  • Geant4
  • Gnuplot
  • Gravitation software
  • Image scanning software
  • LAPACK
  • LaTeX
  • Learning management system LMS
  • Maplesoft Maple
  • Mathsoft Mathcad
  • National Instruments LabVIEW
  • OriginLab Origin
  • PLplot
  • Pascal
  • Sakai CLE
  • Synergy Software KaleidaGraph
  • VASP Data Viewer
  • Visual Molecular Dynamics VMD
  • Web browser software
  • Wolfram Research Mathematica
  • iParadigms Turnitin
  • plotutils

Tools & Equipment (46)

  • Analytical ultracentrifuges
  • Carousel slide projectors
  • Circular dichroism CD spectrometers
  • Compact digital cameras
  • Compact disk CD players
  • Computer data input scanners
  • Computer laser printers
  • Concave mirrors
  • Conference telephones
  • Convex mirrors
  • Desktop computers
  • Digital calculators
  • Digital video cameras
  • Digital video disk DVD players
  • Far infrared FIR lasers
  • Global positioning system GPS receivers
  • Handheld microphones
  • Holography equipment
  • Interactive whiteboard controllers
  • Interactive whiteboards
  • Laptop computers
  • Laser facsimile machines
  • Laser systems
  • Liquid crystal display LCD projectors
  • Liquid crystal display LCD televisions
  • MP3 digital voice recorders
  • Microcalorimeters
  • Microphone podiums
  • Multi-line telephone systems
  • Multimedia projection equipment
  • Non linear effects equipment
  • Nuclear counting equipment
  • Opaque projectors
  • Optically pumped molecular lasers
  • Overhead data projectors
  • Photocopying equipment
  • Poster printers
  • Projector screens
  • Stopped-flow fluorimeters
  • Student response systems
  • Tablet computers
  • Television monitors
  • Video projectors
  • Videoconferencing equipment
  • Webcams
  • Wireless microphones

Where This Career Leads

Career progression organized by specialty track and experience level.

Teaching, Training, & Facilitation Education

Zone 5
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