Physical Sciences

Interest Area

Explore how nature shapes our earth, oceans, and universe. Students who complete an area of study in Physical Sciences will develop skills in the application of mathematics, analysis, scientific writing and laboratory techniques to a large cross section of physical phenomena. Areas of study include Astronomy, Physics, Chemistry, Geology, and Oceanography.

Programs of Study

Fast Track Career Path

Chemistry

UC Transfer
CSU Transfer
AS

Geology

UC Transfer
CSU Transfer
AS

Physics

UC Transfer
CSU Transfer
AS

Explore Careers

Chief Sustainability Officers

Median Salary

$183,322

Job Growth

-1%

Education

Bachelor's Degree
19%

Master's Degree
81%

View Career

Communicate and coordinate with management, shareholders, customers, and employees to address sustainability issues. Enact or oversee a corporate sustainability strategy.

New workers start around $77,623. Normal pay is $183,322 per year. Highly experienced workers can earn up to $468,155.

Education

Bachelor's Degree
19%

Master's Degree
81%

Core Tasks

Monitor and evaluate effectiveness of sustainability programs.
Develop or execute strategies to address issues such as energy use, resource conservation, recycling, pollution reduction, waste elimination, transportation, education, and building design.
Develop, or oversee the development of, sustainability evaluation or monitoring systems.
Supervise employees or volunteers working on sustainability projects.
Develop sustainability reports, presentations, or proposals for supplier, employee, academia, media, government, public interest, or other groups.
Develop, or oversee the development of, marketing or outreach media for sustainability projects or events.
Identify and evaluate pilot projects or programs to enhance the sustainability research agenda.
Create and maintain sustainability program documents, such as schedules and budgets.
Formulate or implement sustainability campaign or marketing strategies.
Research environmental sustainability issues, concerns, or stakeholder interests.
Direct sustainability program operations to ensure compliance with environmental or governmental regulations.
Evaluate and approve proposals for sustainability projects, considering factors such as cost effectiveness, technical feasibility, and integration with other initiatives.
Develop methodologies to assess the viability or success of sustainability initiatives.
Review sustainability program objectives, progress, or status to ensure compliance with policies, standards, regulations, or laws.
Write project proposals, grant applications, or other documents to pursue funding for environmental initiatives.
Write and distribute financial or environmental impact reports.
Identify educational, training, or other development opportunities for sustainability employees or volunteers.
Conduct risk assessments related to sustainability and the environment.

Median Salary

$183,322

Job Growth

-1%

Industrial Production Managers

Median Salary

$106,413

Job Growth

-20%

Education

H.S. Diploma or Less
35%

Certificate
16%

Some College
12%

Associate's Degree
8%

Bachelor's Degree
28%

Master's Degree
1%

View Career

Plan, direct, or coordinate the work activities and resources necessary for manufacturing products in accordance with cost, quality, and quantity specifications.

New workers start around $64,423. Normal pay is $106,413 per year. Highly experienced workers can earn up to $190,212.

Education

H.S. Diploma or Less
35%

Certificate
16%

Some College
12%

Associate's Degree
8%

Bachelor's Degree
28%

Master's Degree
1%

Core Tasks

Direct or coordinate production, processing, distribution, or marketing activities of industrial organizations.
Review processing schedules or production orders to make decisions concerning inventory requirements, staffing requirements, work procedures, or duty assignments, considering budgetary limitations and time constraints.
Set and monitor product standards, examining samples of raw products or directing testing during processing, to ensure finished products are of prescribed quality.
Review operations and confer with technical or administrative staff to resolve production or processing problems.
Hire, train, evaluate, or discharge staff or resolve personnel grievances.
Develop or implement production tracking or quality control systems, analyzing production, quality control, maintenance, or other operational reports to detect production problems.
Prepare and maintain production reports or personnel records.
Develop budgets or approve expenditures for supplies, materials, or human resources, ensuring that materials, labor, or equipment are used efficiently to meet production targets.
Review plans and confer with research or support staff to develop new products or processes.
Maintain current knowledge of the quality control field, relying on current literature pertaining to materials use, technological advances, or statistical studies.
Coordinate or recommend procedures for facility or equipment maintenance or modification, including the replacement of machines.
Initiate or coordinate inventory or cost control programs.

Median Salary

$106,413

Job Growth

-20%

Geothermal Production Managers

Median Salary

$106,413

Job Growth

-20%

Education

H.S. Diploma or Less
11%

Certificate
19%

Some College
48%

Associate's Degree
3%

Bachelor's Degree
20%

View Career

Manage operations at geothermal power generation facilities. Maintain and monitor geothermal plant equipment for efficient and safe plant operations.

New workers start around $64,423. Normal pay is $106,413 per year. Highly experienced workers can earn up to $190,212.

Education

H.S. Diploma or Less
11%

Certificate
19%

Some College
48%

Associate's Degree
3%

Bachelor's Degree
20%

Core Tasks

Supervise employees in geothermal power plants or well fields.
Oversee geothermal plant operations, maintenance, and repairs to ensure compliance with applicable standards or regulations.
Communicate geothermal plant conditions to employees.
Perform or direct the performance of preventative maintenance on geothermal plant equipment.
Identify and evaluate equipment, procedural, or conditional inefficiencies involving geothermal plant systems.
Inspect geothermal plant or injection well fields to verify proper equipment operations.
Select and implement corrosion control or mitigation systems for geothermal plants.
Develop or manage budgets for geothermal operations.
Develop operating plans and schedules for geothermal operations.
Record, review, or maintain daily logs, reports, maintenance, and other records associated with geothermal operations.
Conduct well field site assessments.
Monitor geothermal operations, using programmable logic controllers.
Identify opportunities to improve plant electrical equipment, controls, or process control methodologies.

Median Salary

$106,413

Job Growth

-20%

Biofuels Production Managers

Median Salary

$106,413

Job Growth

-20%

Education

H.S. Diploma or Less
14%

Some College
19%

Associate's Degree
15%

Bachelor's Degree
52%

View Career

Manage biofuels production and plant operations. Collect and process information on plant production and performance, diagnose problems, and design corrective procedures.

New workers start around $64,423. Normal pay is $106,413 per year. Highly experienced workers can earn up to $190,212.

Education

H.S. Diploma or Less
14%

Some College
19%

Associate's Degree
15%

Bachelor's Degree
52%

Core Tasks

Supervise production employees in the manufacturing of biofuels, such as biodiesel or ethanol.
Provide direction to employees to ensure compliance with biofuels plant safety, environmental, or operational standards and regulations.
Manage operations at biofuels power generation facilities, including production, shipping, maintenance, or quality assurance activities.
Confer with technical and supervisory personnel to report or resolve conditions affecting biofuels plant safety, operational efficiency, and product quality.
Review logs, datasheets, or reports to ensure adequate production levels or to identify abnormalities with biofuels production equipment or processes.
Monitor meters, flow gauges, or other real-time data to ensure proper operation of biofuels production equipment, implementing corrective measures as needed.
Adjust temperature, pressure, vacuum, level, flow rate, or transfer of biofuels to maintain processes at required levels.
Provide training to subordinate or new employees to improve biofuels plant safety or increase the production of biofuels.
Monitor transportation and storage of flammable or other potentially dangerous feedstocks or products to ensure adherence to safety guidelines.
Shut down and restart biofuels plant or equipment in emergency situations or for equipment maintenance, repairs, or replacements.
Draw samples of biofuels products or secondary by-products for quality control testing.
Approve proposals for the acquisition, replacement, or repair of biofuels processing equipment or the implementation of new production processes.
Prepare and manage biofuels plant or unit budgets.
Conduct cost, material, and efficiency studies for biofuels production plants or operations.

Median Salary

$106,413

Job Growth

-20%

Biomass Power Plant Managers

Median Salary

$106,413

Job Growth

-20%

Education

H.S. Diploma or Less
7%

Certificate
13%

Some College
2%

Associate's Degree
17%

Bachelor's Degree
61%

View Career

Manage operations at biomass power generation facilities. Direct work activities at plant, including supervision of operations and maintenance staff.

New workers start around $64,423. Normal pay is $106,413 per year. Highly experienced workers can earn up to $190,212.

Education

H.S. Diploma or Less
7%

Certificate
13%

Some College
2%

Associate's Degree
17%

Bachelor's Degree
61%

Core Tasks

Manage safety programs at power generation facilities.
Review biomass operations performance specifications to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.
Review logs, datasheets, or reports to ensure adequate production levels and safe production environments or to identify abnormalities with power production equipment or processes.
Supervise operations or maintenance employees in the production of power from biomass, such as wood, coal, paper sludge, or other waste or refuse.
Supervise biomass plant or substation operations, maintenance, repair, or testing activities.
Conduct field inspections of biomass plants, stations, or substations to ensure normal and safe operating conditions.
Plan and schedule plant activities, such as wood, waste, or refuse fuel deliveries, ash removal, and regular maintenance.
Prepare and manage biomass plant budgets.
Inspect biomass gasification processes, equipment, and facilities for ways to maximize capacity and minimize operating costs.
Evaluate power production or demand trends to identify opportunities for improved operations.
Prepare reports on biomass plant operations, status, maintenance, and other information.
Manage parts and supply inventories for biomass plants.
Monitor and operate communications systems, such as mobile radios.

Median Salary

$106,413

Job Growth

-20%

Hydroelectric Production Managers

Median Salary

$106,413

Job Growth

-20%

Education

H.S. Diploma or Less
14%

Certificate
29%

Some College
14%

Associate's Degree
21%

Bachelor's Degree
22%

View Career

Manage operations at hydroelectric power generation facilities. Maintain and monitor hydroelectric plant equipment for efficient and safe plant operations.

New workers start around $64,423. Normal pay is $106,413 per year. Highly experienced workers can earn up to $190,212.

Education

H.S. Diploma or Less
14%

Certificate
29%

Some College
14%

Associate's Degree
21%

Bachelor's Degree
22%

Core Tasks

Direct operations, maintenance, or repair of hydroelectric power facilities.
Identify and communicate power system emergencies.
Perform or direct preventive or corrective containment or cleanup to protect the environment.
Maintain records of hydroelectric facility operations, maintenance, or repairs.
Monitor or inspect hydroelectric equipment, such as hydro-turbines, generators, or control systems.
Inspect hydroelectric facilities, including switchyards, control houses, or relay houses, for normal operation or adherence to safety standards.
Supervise or monitor hydroelectric facility operations to ensure that generation or mechanical equipment conform to applicable regulations or standards.
Plan or coordinate hydroelectric production operations to meet customer requirements.
Check hydroelectric operations for compliance with prescribed operating limits, such as loads, voltages, temperatures, lines, or equipment.
Develop or implement projects to improve efficiency, economy, or effectiveness of hydroelectric plant operations.
Provide technical direction in the erection or commissioning of hydroelectric equipment or supporting electrical or mechanical systems.
Supervise hydropower plant equipment installations, upgrades, or maintenance.
Plan or manage hydroelectric plant upgrades.
Respond to problems related to ratepayers, water users, power users, government agencies, educational institutions, or other private or public power resource interests.
Develop or implement policy evaluation procedures for hydroelectric generation activities.
Develop or review budgets, annual plans, power contracts, power rates, standing operating procedures, power reviews, or engineering studies.

Median Salary

$106,413

Job Growth

-20%

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Physical Sciences

School of Physical Sciences Contact

Programs of Study

Chemistry

Geology

Physics

Explore Careers

Chief Sustainability Officers

Industrial Production Managers

Geothermal Production Managers

Biofuels Production Managers

Biomass Power Plant Managers

Hydroelectric Production Managers

Is this Interest Area right for you?

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About IVC

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Admission Support

Plan Your Classes

Get Ready for College

Guide to Paying for College

Financial Support

Costs & Payments

Supporting You

Counseling & Support Programs

Academic Help

Safety & Wellness

Welcome Lasers

Get Involved

Your Community

Campus

Finish Your Path at IVC

Transfer

Earn Your Degree or Certificate

Transcripts & Records

Physical Sciences

School of Physical Sciences Contact

Programs of Study

Chemistry

Geology

Physics

Explore Careers

Chief Sustainability Officers

Industrial Production Managers

Geothermal Production Managers

Biofuels Production Managers

Biomass Power Plant Managers

Hydroelectric Production Managers

Is this Interest Area right for you?

Business Sciences

Humanities

Integrated Design, Engineering & Automation

Kinesiology, Health & Athletics

Languages & Learning Resources

Life Sciences & Technologies

Mathematics & Computer Sciences

Social & Behavioral Sciences

The Arts

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