High School
In high school, take advanced mathematics (algebra, advanced algebra, precalculus, and calculus) and science classes in order to prepare for college. Physicists (especially theoretical physicists) use computer modeling software to conduct research, so it’s a good idea to take as many computer science classes as possible. These courses will also prepare you to collect and store data, create digital presentations, and excel in a world where computers are used daily. You should also take English, speech, and writing classes because plasma physicists must make presentations at educational conferences, write research reports and academic papers, and communicate daily with colleagues. Research on plasma physics is conducted throughout the world, so it’s a good idea to learn a foreign language in order to communicate more effectively with those who do not speak English fluently.
Postsecondary Education
You’ll need a minimum of a master’s degree, but preferably a Ph.D., in physics to become a plasma physicist. Some colleges offer specializations in plasma and fusion, plasma and nonlinear physics, and other related fields. Some people enter this career after earning a graduate degree in engineering (aerospace, chemical, electrical, mechanical, or elated fields) or materials science and completing coursework or a bachelor’s degree in physics. After earning their Ph.D.’s, some physicists move into permanent positions in industry. Others work for one to three years as postdoctoral fellows, during which time they conduct independent research.
Many colleges and universities offer bachelor’s degrees in physics, and about 250 schools offer master’s and doctoral programs. The American Institute of Physics provides a list of graduate institutions through its GradSchoolShopper service (https://www.gradschoolshopper.com).
The American Physical Society offers a wealth of advice for high school, undergraduate, and graduate students, as well as early career physicists at https://www.aps.org/careers/physicists.
Certification
Short-term educational certificates in plasma physics, general physics, and many related fields are offered by colleges and universities, professional associations, and for-profit, online learning platforms (OLPs). For example, the Michigan Institute for Plasma Science and Engineering (a collaborative effort between three colleges in Michigan) offers a graduate certificate in plasma science and engineering. Students must complete coursework in plasma fundamentals, plasma technology, and supporting sciences (in areas such as chemical kinetics, parallel computing, and numerical methods for differential equations), as well as complete one laboratory course.
Other Education or Training
Plasma physicists must be lifelong learners. Aspiring and current physicists can expand their knowledge base, build their professional skills, and learn about emerging technologies and new research methods by taking in-person classes and webinars that are offered by postsecondary institutions, professional associations, and OLPs (such as coursersa and edX). The American Physical Society provides a wealth of continuing education (CE) opportunities. For example, it offers webinars such as Science Communication—with Confidence!; Scientific Collaboration Across Borders; Physics for Society; Towards Gender Equity: New Directions and Steps; Why You Should Consider an Industry Career; Considering a Career at a National Laboratory; and Career Exploration Strategies and Tools. The Canadian Association of Physicists, engineering associations, and organizations at the state and local levels also provide CE classes and webinars.
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