Physics Teachers, Postsecondary

social interests laboratory work area of expertise physics course material laboratory equipment advise student educational need curricula book

Instructor, Physics Instructor, Physics Professor, Professor

What they do:
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.
On the job, you would:
  • Evaluate and grade students' class work, laboratory work, assignments, and papers.
  • Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
  • Compile, administer, and grade examinations, or assign this work to others.

Knowledge

Math and Science

  • arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics
  • physics

Education and Training

  • teaching and course design

Arts and Humanities

  • English language

Engineering and Technology

  • computers and electronics

Skills

Basic Skills

  • reading work related information
  • talking to others

Problem Solving

  • noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it

People and Technology Systems

  • thinking about the pros and cons of different options and picking the best one

Abilities

Verbal

  • communicate by speaking
  • communicate by writing

Math

  • choose the right type of math to solve a problem
  • add, subtract, multiply, or divide

Ideas and Logic

  • make general rules or come up with answers from lots of detailed information
  • notice when problems happen

Personality

People interested in this work like activities that include helping people, teaching, and talking.

They do well at jobs that need:

  • Dependability
  • Analytical Thinking
  • Integrity
  • Achievement/Effort
  • Attention to Detail
  • Persistence

Technology

You might use software like this on the job:

Analytical or scientific software

  • The MathWorks MATLAB Hot Technology
  • Wolfram Research Mathematica

Word processing software

  • Google Docs Hot Technology
  • Microsoft Word Hot Technology

Development environment software

  • C Hot Technology
  • National Instruments LabVIEW

Education

Education: (rated 5 of 5)
doctoral degree or
master's degree
usually needed

Get started on your career:

Find Training
Apprenticeship.gov

Job Outlook

Average
New job opportunities are likely in the future.
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See more details at O*NET OnLine about physics teachers, postsecondary.