Editing Physicist (section)

==Education==
A standard undergraduate physics curriculum consists of [[classical mechanics]], [[Electromagnetism|electricity and magnetism]], non-relativistic [[quantum mechanics]], [[optics]], [[Thermal physics|statistical mechanics and thermodynamics]], and laboratory experience.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Wachter|first1=Armin|last2=Hoeber|first2=Henning|title=Compendium of Theoretical Physics|date=2006|publisher=Springer|location=New York, NY|isbn=0-387-25799-3}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last1=Krey|first1=Uwe|last2=Owen|first2=Anthony|title=Basic Theoretical Physics : A concise overview|date=2007|publisher=Springer|location=Berlin|isbn=978-3-540-36804-5|edition=1st}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last1=Kompaneyets|first1=Alexander Solomonovich |title=Theoretical physics|date=2012|publisher=Dover|location=Mineola, New York|isbn=978-0-486-60972-0|edition=2nd}}</ref> Physics students also need training in mathematics ([[calculus]], [[differential equation]]s, [[linear algebra]], [[complex analysis]], etc.), and in [[computer science]].

Any physics-oriented career position requires at least an undergraduate degree in physics or applied physics, while career options widen with a [[master's degree]] like MSc, MPhil, MPhys or MSci.<ref name="NCS">{{cite web |url=https://nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk/job-profiles/physicist |title=Physicist |date=7 October 2016 |website=nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk |publisher=National Careers Service, United Kingdom}}</ref> 

For research-oriented careers, students work toward a [[doctoral degree]] specializing in a particular field. Fields of specialization include experimental and theoretical [[astrophysics]], [[atomic physics]],  [[biological physics]], [[chemical physics]],  [[condensed matter physics]], [[cosmology]], [[geophysics]], [[Gravity|gravitational physics]], [[Materials science|material science]], [[medical physics]], [[microelectronics]], [[molecular physics]], [[nuclear physics]], [[optics]], [[particle physics]], [[Plasma (physics)|plasma physics]], [[quantum information|quantum information science]], and [[radiophysics]].