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

Obstetricians and Gynecologists

Median Salary

$208,221

Job Growth

+31%

Education

Master's Degree
3%

Doctoral or More
97%

View Career

Provide medical care related to pregnancy or childbirth. Diagnose, treat, and help prevent diseases of women, particularly those affecting the reproductive system. May also provide general care to women. May perform both medical and gynecological surgery functions.

New workers start around $129,603. Normal pay is $208,221 per year. Highly experienced workers can earn up to $390,443.

Education

Master's Degree
3%

Doctoral or More
97%

Core Tasks

Collect, record, and maintain patient information, such as medical histories, reports, or examination results.
Care for and treat women during prenatal, natal, and postnatal periods.
Treat diseases of female organs.
Prescribe or administer therapy, medication, and other specialized medical care to treat or prevent illness, disease, or injury.
Perform cesarean sections or other surgical procedures as needed to preserve patients' health and deliver babies safely.
Analyze records, reports, test results, or examination information to diagnose medical condition of patient.
Explain procedures and discuss test results or prescribed treatments with patients.
Monitor patients' conditions and progress and reevaluate treatments as necessary.
Advise patients and community members concerning diet, activity, hygiene, and disease prevention.
Refer patient to medical specialist or other practitioner when necessary.
Direct and coordinate activities of nurses, students, assistants, specialists, therapists, and other medical staff.
Consult with or provide consulting services to other physicians.
Plan, implement, or administer health programs in hospitals, businesses, or communities for prevention and treatment of injuries or illnesses.

Median Salary

$208,221

Job Growth

+31%

Pediatricians

Median Salary

$180,729

Job Growth

-27%

Education

Master's Degree
1%

Doctoral or More
99%

View Career

Diagnose, treat, and help prevent diseases and injuries in children. May refer patients to specialists for further diagnosis or treatment, as needed.

New workers start around $61,717. Normal pay is $180,729 per year. Highly experienced workers can earn up to $293,068.

Education

Master's Degree
1%

Doctoral or More
99%

Core Tasks

Examine children regularly to assess their growth and development.
Prescribe or administer treatment, therapy, medication, vaccination, and other specialized medical care to treat or prevent illness, disease, or injury in infants and children.
Treat children who have minor illnesses, acute and chronic health problems, and growth and development concerns.
Examine patients or order, perform, and interpret diagnostic tests to obtain information on medical condition and determine diagnosis.
Advise patients, parents or guardians, and community members concerning diet, activity, hygiene, and disease prevention.
Explain procedures and discuss test results or prescribed treatments with patients and parents or guardians.
Collect, record, and maintain patient information, such as medical history, reports, or examination results.
Monitor patients' conditions and progress and reevaluate treatments as necessary.
Direct and coordinate activities of nurses, students, assistants, specialists, therapists, and other medical staff.
Plan and execute medical care programs to aid in the mental and physical growth and development of children and adolescents.
Refer patient to medical specialist or other practitioner when necessary.
Teach residents or medical students about pediatric topics.
Provide consulting services to other physicians.

Median Salary

$180,729

Job Growth

-27%

Pathologists

Median Salary

$246,889

Job Growth

+2%

Education

Master's Degree
9%

Doctoral or More
91%

View Career

Diagnose diseases and conduct lab tests using organs, body tissues, and fluids. Includes medical examiners.

New workers start around $66,169. Normal pay is $246,889 per year. Highly experienced workers can earn up to $397,249.

Education

Master's Degree
9%

Doctoral or More
91%

Core Tasks

Examine microscopic samples to identify diseases or other abnormalities.
Diagnose diseases or study medical conditions, using techniques such as gross pathology, histology, cytology, cytopathology, clinical chemistry, immunology, flow cytometry, or molecular biology.
Write pathology reports summarizing analyses, results, and conclusions.
Identify the etiology, pathogenesis, morphological change, and clinical significance of diseases.
Communicate pathologic findings to surgeons or other physicians.
Read current literature, talk with colleagues, or participate in professional organizations or conferences to keep abreast of developments in pathology.
Consult with physicians about ordering and interpreting tests or providing treatments.
Analyze and interpret results from tests, such as microbial or parasite tests, urine analyses, hormonal assays, fine needle aspirations (FNAs), and polymerase chain reactions (PCRs).
Review cases by analyzing autopsies, laboratory findings, or case investigation reports.
Manage medical laboratories.
Develop or adopt new tests or instruments to improve diagnosis of diseases.
Educate physicians, students, and other personnel in medical laboratory professions, such as medical technology, cytotechnology, or histotechnology.
Plan and supervise the work of the pathology staff, residents, or visiting pathologists.
Perform autopsies to determine causes of deaths.

Median Salary

$246,889

Job Growth

+2%

Radiologists

Median Salary

$246,889

Job Growth

+2%

Education

Certificate
2%

Associate's Degree
1%

Bachelor's Degree
11%

Master's Degree
8%

Doctoral or More
78%

View Career

Diagnose and treat diseases and injuries using medical imaging techniques, such as x rays, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), nuclear medicine, and ultrasounds. May perform minimally invasive medical procedures and tests.

New workers start around $66,169. Normal pay is $246,889 per year. Highly experienced workers can earn up to $397,249.

Education

Certificate
2%

Associate's Degree
1%

Bachelor's Degree
11%

Master's Degree
8%

Doctoral or More
78%

Core Tasks

Prepare comprehensive interpretive reports of findings.
Obtain patients' histories from electronic records, patient interviews, dictated reports, or by communicating with referring clinicians.
Perform or interpret the outcomes of diagnostic imaging procedures including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computer tomography (CT), positron emission tomography (PET), nuclear cardiology treadmill studies, mammography, or ultrasound.
Review or transmit images and information using picture archiving or communications systems.
Communicate examination results or diagnostic information to referring physicians, patients, or families.
Provide counseling to radiologic patients to explain the processes, risks, benefits, or alternative treatments.
Confer with medical professionals regarding image-based diagnoses.
Instruct radiologic staff in desired techniques, positions, or projections.
Document the performance, interpretation, or outcomes of all procedures performed.
Coordinate radiological services with other medical activities.
Establish or enforce standards for protection of patients or personnel.
Develop or monitor procedures to ensure adequate quality control of images.
Recognize or treat complications during and after procedures, including blood pressure problems, pain, oversedation, or bleeding.
Participate in continuing education activities to maintain and develop expertise.
Participate in quality improvement activities including discussions of areas where risk of error is high.

Median Salary

$246,889

Job Growth

+2%

Allergists and Immunologists

Median Salary

$246,889

Job Growth

+2%

Education

Master's Degree
9%

Doctoral or More
91%

View Career

Diagnose, treat, and help prevent allergic diseases and disease processes affecting the immune system.

New workers start around $66,169. Normal pay is $246,889 per year. Highly experienced workers can earn up to $397,249.

Education

Master's Degree
9%

Doctoral or More
91%

Core Tasks

Diagnose or treat allergic or immunologic conditions.
Order or perform diagnostic tests such as skin pricks and intradermal, patch, or delayed hypersensitivity tests.
Educate patients about diagnoses, prognoses, or treatments.
Document patients' medical histories.
Prescribe medication such as antihistamines, antibiotics, and nasal, oral, topical, or inhaled glucocorticosteroids.
Develop individualized treatment plans for patients, considering patient preferences, clinical data, or the risks and benefits of therapies.
Conduct physical examinations of patients.
Assess the risks and benefits of therapies for allergic and immunologic disorders.
Interpret diagnostic test results to make appropriate differential diagnoses.
Provide therapies, such as allergen immunotherapy or immunoglobin therapy, to treat immune conditions.
Coordinate the care of patients with other health care professionals or support staff.
Engage in self-directed learning and continuing education activities.
Perform allergen provocation tests such as nasal, conjunctival, bronchial, oral, food, or medication challenges.
Provide allergy or immunology consultation or education to physicians or other health care providers.
Conduct laboratory or clinical research on allergy or immunology topics.

Median Salary

$246,889

Job Growth

+2%

Urologists

Median Salary

$246,889

Job Growth

+2%

Education

Master's Degree
32%

Doctoral or More
68%

View Career

Diagnose, treat, and help prevent benign and malignant medical and surgical disorders of the genitourinary system and the renal glands.

New workers start around $66,169. Normal pay is $246,889 per year. Highly experienced workers can earn up to $397,249.

Education

Master's Degree
32%

Doctoral or More
68%

Core Tasks

Diagnose or treat diseases or disorders of genitourinary organs and tracts including erectile dysfunction (ED), infertility, incontinence, bladder cancer, prostate cancer, urethral stones, or premature ejaculation.
Document or review patients' histories.
Order and interpret the results of diagnostic tests, such as prostate specific antigen (PSA) screening, to detect prostate cancer.
Perform abdominal, pelvic, or retroperitoneal surgeries.
Examine patients using equipment, such as radiograph (x-ray) machines or fluoroscopes, to determine the nature and extent of disorder or injury.
Treat lower urinary tract dysfunctions using equipment such as diathermy machines, catheters, cystoscopes, or radium emanation tubes.
Prescribe or administer antibiotics, antiseptics, or compresses to treat infection or injury.
Provide urology consultation to physicians or other health care professionals.
Treat urologic disorders using alternatives to traditional surgery such as extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy, laparoscopy, or laser techniques.
Direct the work of nurses, residents, or other staff to provide patient care.
Refer patients to specialists when condition exceeds experience, expertise, or scope of practice.
Perform brachytherapy, cryotherapy, high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU), or photodynamic therapy to treat prostate or other cancers.
Teach or train medical and clinical staff.
Prescribe medications to treat patients with erectile dysfunction (ED), infertility, or ejaculation problems.

Median Salary

$246,889

Job Growth

+2%

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Physical Sciences

School of Physical Sciences Contact

Programs of Study

Chemistry

Geology

Physics

Explore Careers

Obstetricians and Gynecologists

Pediatricians

Pathologists

Radiologists

Allergists and Immunologists

Urologists

Is this Interest Area right for you?

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Find Your Path

Opportunities

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About IVC

Become an IVC Student

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

Obstetricians and Gynecologists

Pediatricians

Pathologists

Radiologists

Allergists and Immunologists

Urologists

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 Science

Social & Behavioral Sciences

The Arts

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