Focus: Eureka!

Studying the dynamics of the physical realm and unraveling the mysteries of the universe has fascinated scientists over centuries. The inquiring human spirit has sought to discover the laws that govern the natural world and Physics as a subject evolved. In the past, scientific research was restricted due to the lack of scientific equipment. Today, the modern scientist has all he needs to help him in his research activities.

Despite luminaries like C V Raman, Bose and Chandrasekhar, India has yet to make its presence felt significantly. Scientific temper needs to be encouraged and research promoted in order to make more significant contributions and advances in the field.

The subject

Physics as a subject deals with physical and natural laws related to the atmosphere, space and matter. Physicists attempt to discover new laws that control and govern forces of nature, and how they can be harnessed to assist mankind. Today, Physics deals with aspects like sound, light, energy, electromagnetism, thermodynamics, heat, mechanics, and electricity.

The physicist

Experimental physicists: use experiments to explore and learn about the universe

Theoretical physicists use mathematics to propound theories to and explain the experiments.

Medical physicists: promote the application of Physics to medicine and biological sciences. Medical physics is multi disciplinary in nature.

Research and development work is an integral part of most physicists' jobs.

Theories are propounded, experiments planned, observations noted and results studied. The information derived is then applied to specific problems in areas like electronics, communications, aerospace, nuclear and atomic energy etc. Physicists also design research equipment and measuring instruments. One can also opt to teach at universities, colleges and schools.

For a graduate degree, you need to have Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics at the intermediate (10+2) level. Post-Doctoral research is often the choice of persons aspiring to be physicists.

The specialisations

Specialisations include particle physics, physics of condensed matter, plasma physics, optics, acoustics, nuclear physics, and atomic and molecular physics. One can also specialise in interdisciplinary fields like biophysics, chemical physics, seismology, geophysics, astrophysics and meteorology.

With a bachelor's degree in Physics you can find employment in engineering, technical and computer related industries. Or teach at schools.

The institutes

Premier institutes offering a graduate degree in physics are IIT, Kharagpur, IIT Delhi, BITS, Pilani, Rajashthan, University of Delhi University of Calcutta, Jawaharlal Nehru Tech. University, Hyderabad (M.Sc Tech and Applied Physics), Indian Institute of Astrophysics, Bangalore (Physics, Astronomy and Astrophysics), Raman Research Institute, Bangalore (Physics, Astronomy, Astrophysics, Optics, Condensed Matter), Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Pune, The Institute of Mathematical Science, Chennai.

The Institute Of Physics (IOP), Bhubaneswar is under administrative control of Department of Atomic Energy and is a research center for pure and applied physics. The Indian Institute for the Cultivation of Science in Calcutta, the oldest Indian institute that is devoted to the pursuit of research in basic sciences. It was while working here Professor C V Raman discovered the 'Effect' and was awarded Nobel Prize in Physics.

The thrust areas of research include materials, solid state and theoretical physics, and spectroscopy. Central Electronics Engineering Research Institute (CEERI), Pilani, Central Scientific Instruments Organisation (CSIO), Chandigarh and National Physical Laboratory (NPL), New Delhi are other well known research organisations.

Those with a degree in physics can work as technicians; go in for higher studies and later for research jobs in both commercial and non-commercial research organisations.

The government also employs physicists in Defence projects, Department of Energy and space research agencies or at drug and electronic equipment manufacturing units.

Soft skills

Team spirit, communication skills, an inquisitive mind, innovative temper, number crunching ability, and logical skills to match are necessary. Good problem solving skills to analyse and write reports is needed.

ARCHANA JAYAKAR

archana.hyd@cxknetworks.com