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Physics · Chapter 1: Introduction to Physics
Careers in Physics
Careers in physics in Pakistan: engineer, medical physicist, meteorologist, geophysicist, space scientist and teacher, with the study path from Matric to university.
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01Concept
Physics teaches you to solve problems, work with numbers and think step by step. These skills are useful in many jobs, not only in science labs. Here are the main careers open to physics students.
| Career | What they do | Where they work in Pakistan |
|---|---|---|
| Physicist / researcher | Carry out experiments and develop new ideas in physics | Universities, PAEC research centres such as PINSTECH |
| Engineer (electrical, mechanical, electronics, aerospace, nuclear) | Design machines, power systems, circuits and aircraft | WAPDA, K-Electric, power plants, factories, PAC Kamra |
| Medical physicist | Run X-ray, CT and radiotherapy machines safely and plan radiation doses | Cancer hospitals and large hospitals |
| Meteorologist | Study the atmosphere and forecast weather | Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) |
| Geophysicist | Study the Earth: earthquakes, rocks, oil and gas | Oil and gas companies such as OGDCL; earthquake monitoring centres |
| Space scientist | Work on satellites and space research | SUPARCO |
| Electronics and telecom specialist | Build and maintain phone networks, computers and devices | Mobile phone companies, PTCL, electronics firms |
| Teacher / lecturer | Teach physics in schools, colleges and universities | Schools, colleges and universities everywhere |
How to get there
- Class 9–10 (Matric): choose the Science group.
- Class 11–12 (Intermediate): choose Pre-Engineering, with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics. (For medical physics, Pre-Medical can also lead to a BS in Physics at some universities; check their rules.)
- University: pass the university's entry test, then study a 4-year degree (see the table below).
- After the degree: an MS/MPhil or PhD for research and university teaching, or a specialised master's such as medical physics.
| Degree | Leads to |
|---|---|
| BS Physics | Research, teaching, medical physics (after an MS), meteorology, data analysis |
| BE / BS Engineering | Electrical, mechanical, electronics, aerospace or nuclear engineering |
| BS Geophysics | Oil and gas exploration, earthquake studies |
| BS Space Science / Meteorology | SUPARCO, PMD and weather services |
Some well-known places to study physics and engineering in Sindh are NED University (Karachi), Mehran UET (Jamshoro), the University of Karachi and the University of Sindh (Jamshoro). PIEAS in Islamabad specialises in nuclear engineering and medical physics.
02Real World Examples
Keeping the lights on
Electrical engineers at power companies balance how much electricity is produced with how much the city is using, every minute of the day.
Safe radiotherapy
Before a cancer patient's treatment, a medical physicist checks the machine and calculates the exact dose.
Monsoon forecasts
Meteorologists use satellite data and computer models to warn cities like Karachi and Hyderabad about heavy rain.
Finding gas
Geophysicists send sound waves into the ground and study the echoes to find where gas may be trapped under rocks.
03Practice Questions
Try to answer in your own words first, then open the model answer.
Short questions
Q1.Name four careers that need physics.Show answer
Answer
- Engineer (electrical, mechanical, electronics)
- Medical physicist
- Meteorologist
- Geophysicist
(Physicist, space scientist, teacher and telecom specialist are also correct.)
Q2.What does a medical physicist do?Show answer
Answer
A medical physicist works in a hospital. They make sure X-ray, CT and radiotherapy machines work safely and calculate the correct radiation dose for patients, especially cancer patients.
Q3.Which subjects should a student choose in Class 11–12 to become an engineer?Show answer
Answer
Pre-Engineering, with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics. After that, the student takes a university entry test and studies a 4-year engineering degree.
Q4.Name two organisations in Pakistan where physicists work.Show answer
Answer
- PAEC (Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission): nuclear power and research
- SUPARCO: space research and satellites
(PMD, WAPDA and universities are also correct.)
Long questions
Q5.Describe the careers available to a physics student in Pakistan, and the study path to reach them.Show answer
Answer
Careers:
- Engineer: designs machines, power systems and circuits (WAPDA, K-Electric, factories).
- Medical physicist: runs radiation machines safely in hospitals.
- Meteorologist: forecasts weather at PMD.
- Geophysicist: studies earthquakes and finds oil and gas.
- Space scientist: works on satellites at SUPARCO.
- Researcher or teacher: works in universities and research centres.
Study path: Science group in Matric → Pre-Engineering in Intermediate → entry test → 4-year BS Physics or BE Engineering → MS/MPhil or PhD for research.