All careers

Physics Teachers, Postsecondary

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.

What you’d do

  • 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.
  • Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as quantum mechanics, particle physics, and optics.
  • Maintain regularly scheduled office hours to advise and assist students.
  • Supervise undergraduate or graduate teaching, internship, and research work.
  • Initiate, facilitate, and moderate classroom discussions.
  • Maintain student attendance records, grades, and other required records.

Skills that matter

  • Instructing
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Science
  • Speaking
  • Active Learning
  • Active Listening

How to get there

Extensive preparation: most need graduate school, such as a master's degree or higher

Also called

  • Instructor
  • Physics Instructor
  • Physics Professor
  • Professor
  • Adjunct Professor
  • Assistant Professor

Related careers

See all careers

  • Mathematical Science Teachers, Postsecondary

    Teach courses pertaining to mathematical concepts, statistics, and actuarial science and to the application of original and standardized…

    Extensive preparation: most need graduate school, such as a master's degree or higher

  • Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary

    Teach courses in the physical sciences, except chemistry and physics. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching, and those who…

    Extensive preparation: most need graduate school, such as a master's degree or higher

  • Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary

    Teach courses pertaining to the chemical and physical properties and compositional changes of substances.

    Extensive preparation: most need graduate school, such as a master's degree or higher

  • Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary

    • Bright Outlook
    • Rapid Growth

    Teach courses pertaining to the application of physical laws and principles of engineering for the development of machines, materials…

    Extensive preparation: most need graduate school, such as a master's degree or higher

  • Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary

    • Bright Outlook
    • Rapid Growth

    Teach courses in biological sciences. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and…

    Extensive preparation: most need graduate school, such as a master's degree or higher

  • Physicists

    • Bright Outlook
    • Rapid Growth

    Conduct research into physical phenomena, develop theories on the basis of observation and experiments, and devise methods to apply…

    Extensive preparation: most need graduate school, such as a master's degree or higher