How to Become Physicist In South Africa

A physicist is a scientist who studies and is trained in physics, which is the study of nature, especially how matter and energy behave. Physicists study physics, which is related to the word physical. Physicists are interested in everything that physically exists, from tiny gadgets to massive stars.

What exactly does a physicist do?

A physicist is a scientist who specializes in the field of physics, which encompasses the interactions of matter and energy at all length and time scales in the physical universe.

Is physicist a doctor?

And why is ‘physicist’ so different? Medical experts are called physicians because the word physic originally referred to both the practice of medicine and to natural science. Physicist was coined to refer to someone who studies “physics,” and physician was left with its association with medical doctors.

Are physicists respected?

Yes, physicists are respected. Most people have the idea that it takes a lot of smarts and education to be one. Physicists don’t say “I’m a quantum physicist” unless they want to sound jolly obfuscator.

Do you need a PhD to be a medical physicist?

Most positions require a PhD in Medical Physics – or a PhD in another field and a residency in Medical Physics. Many research medical physicists split their time between research and hands-on clinical work. Many positions do not require a PhD – a two year Master’s degree and a residency are just fine.

CAREER REQUIREMENT

Degree RequiredPh.D.
Training RequiredWork in a post-doctoral research position for 2 to 3 years is common
Education Field of StudyPhysics
Key SkillsAnalytical, critical thinking, math, problem-solving
Job Growth (2018-2028)9%*
Median Salary (2018)R 1764324.26

Below are steps to Become Physicist In South Africa

School Level Preparation 

After completion of class 10th, the students will have to choose a stream and their performance in class 10th will be evaluated for that. Some of the points that they should know for the school level preparations are:

To choose a science stream with mathematics, the candidates should have a percentage above 60 in class 10th for admission into top schools.

The candidate should have passed class 10th from ICSE/ CBSE/ State board.

The scores of the top 5 subjects will be evaluated.

Scores in all the science subjects should also be above 60%.

UG Level Preparation 

At the UG level, the candidates can go for BSc/ B.Tech in the discipline of physics or mathematics. Some of the points that the students should know for the UG preparations are:

The candidates should have a minimum aggregate of 50% in class 12th to become eligible to apply to various institutes.

For admission into the BSc course, there are no such national/ state level exams. Most of the institutes take admission based on merit and some of the institutes conduct their own exams like DUET, GSAT, etc.

For admission into the B.Tech courses, the candidates may have to appear for exams like JEE-Mains, WBJEE, UPSEE, KCET, etc. 

Preparing for JEE-Main can help them prepare for other such exams. They can either self-study or join coaching classes to prepare for it.

The exams are quite competitive and require proper time and dedication along with some expert guidance.

PG Level Preparation 

At the PG level, the candidates will have to study MSc Physics with a specialization. To prepare for admission into the MSc course, they should know the following points:

The candidate should have completed their bachelor’s degree in physics, mathematics, or engineering.

They should have scored a minimum aggregate of 50% from a recognized university. Some institutes also ask for 60% aggregate.

The institutes evaluate students based on the marks scored in the entrance examination. The institutes usually conduct their own entrance examination. Some of such exams are DUET, JNUEE, BHU-PET, IPU CET, etc.

The examination will test the student’s aptitude and knowledge in the field of physics. 

Doctorate Level Preparation 

An individual is eligible to work as a physicist after completion of a master’s degree. Though having a doctorate degree helps them to conduct research of their own and also helps to find better opportunities and higher salary. Some of the points an individual should know while preparing for a Ph.D. in Physics are:

The candidates should hold an MSc/ M.Phil in Physics, material science, or any other related discipline.

They should have a minimum aggregate of 60% in PG from a recognized institute.

The candidates are selected for the Ph.D. course based on their marks in the entrance examination and also their academic history.

The candidates will have to appear for UGC-NET, JEST, etc. The candidates who haven’t appeared for these exams can also appear for the exam conducted by the institutes.

Along with preparing for the entrance exam, the candidate will have to be prepared with their research topic and also a good performance in a personal interview is required.

Where can I study to become a physicist in South Africa?

Here are the best global universities for physics in South Africa

University of Cape Town.

University of Witwatersrand.

University of Johannesburg.

University of KwaZulu Natal.

Stellenbosch University.

University of the Free State.

What does physicist do in South Africa?

What Do Physicists Do? Design, conduct and evaluate the results of experiments, methodologies, and quality control tests. Provide technical support and calculations to non-scientists, students, and other groups. Maintain and use equipment and lab space.

Is physics in demand in South Africa?

South Africa is hunting for students in booming sectors of physics, including astronomy, optics, and nuclear physics. In fact, it’s doing so well that researchers in other fields complain that astronomy is “stealing” the country’s students the most precious commodity in South African physics right now.

What qualifications do you need to be a physicist in South Africa ?

Most employers will expect you to have a degree in physics, applied physics, or a related science or engineering subject. You may also need a relevant postgraduate qualification, like a master’s degree or PhD. You could do a combined degree and master’s qualification, like an MPhys or MSci.

What subjects do I need to study physics in South Africa ?

Key physics topics include electricity and magnetism, space and time, thermodynamics, quantum physics, relativity, geophysics, fluid dynamics, astronomy and geology, to name but a few. First year studies will focus on the fundamentals of classic and modern physics, plus a whole lot of mathematic formulae.

What careers can you do with maths and physics in South Africa?

maths and physics jobs in South Africa

FET Maths/Physics teacher .

Quantitative Analyst C1.

Curriculum and Video Developer – Science / Math.

Quantitative Analyst C.

Maths and Science Tutor.

Data Scientist I.

Analytics Head I.

2 x Physics Educators Grades 8 – 12 (LEAP 5, Limpopo)

Is it hard to get a job as a physicist in South Africa ?

It’s very hard to be a physicist. The vast majority of physics grads never become one. Of my undergraduate class none of us were able to do it. You really need to open your mind or you will never be happy.

Are physicists in demand in South Africa ?

Job Outlook

Overall employment of physicists and astronomers is projected to grow 8 percent from 2020 to 2030, about as fast as the average for all occupations.

Is a physics degree hard in South Africa ?

Physics is one of the most hardest majors . Physics is one of the most hardest majors . Physical sciences include chemistry, astronomy, earth sciences, physics, and math. These students come in a close second, reporting spending up to an average of 18 hours per week studying.