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

Brownfield Redevelopment Specialists and Site Managers

Median Salary

$89,763

Job Growth

+9%

Education

Bachelor's Degree
86%

Master's Degree
14%

View Career

Plan and direct cleanup and redevelopment of contaminated properties for reuse. Does not include properties sufficiently contaminated to qualify as Superfund sites.

New workers start around $41,995. Normal pay is $89,763 per year. Highly experienced workers can earn up to $222,412.

Education

Bachelor's Degree
86%

Master's Degree
14%

Core Tasks

Identify environmental contamination sources.
Coordinate on-site activities for environmental cleanup or remediation projects to ensure compliance with environmental laws, standards, regulations, or other requirements.
Identify and apply for project funding.
Plan or implement brownfield redevelopment projects to ensure safety, quality, and compliance with applicable standards or requirements.
Estimate costs for environmental cleanup and remediation of land redevelopment projects.
Conduct quantitative risk assessments for human health, environmental, or other risks.
Design or implement plans for surface or ground water remediation.
Design or implement measures to improve the water, air, and soil quality of military test sites, abandoned mine land, or other contaminated sites.
Review or evaluate environmental remediation project proposals.
Prepare reports or presentations to communicate brownfield redevelopment needs, status, or progress.
Inspect sites to assess environmental damage or monitor cleanup progress.
Maintain records of decisions, actions, and progress related to environmental redevelopment projects.
Coordinate the disposal of hazardous waste.
Develop or implement plans for the sustainable regeneration of brownfield sites to ensure regeneration of a wider area by providing environmental protection or economic and social benefits.
Prepare and submit permit applications for demolition, cleanup, remediation, or construction projects.
Conduct feasibility or cost-benefit studies for environmental remediation projects.
Negotiate contracts for services or materials needed for environmental remediation.
Design or implement plans for structural demolition and debris removal.
Design or conduct environmental restoration studies.
Review or evaluate designs for contaminant treatment or disposal facilities.

Median Salary

$89,763

Job Growth

+9%

Environmental Compliance Inspectors

Median Salary

$81,196

Job Growth

+3%

Education

H.S. Diploma or Less
10%

Associate's Degree
15%

Bachelor's Degree
75%

View Career

Inspect and investigate sources of pollution to protect the public and environment and ensure conformance with Federal, State, and local regulations and ordinances.

New workers start around $47,731. Normal pay is $81,196 per year. Highly experienced workers can earn up to $123,336.

Education

H.S. Diploma or Less
10%

Associate's Degree
15%

Bachelor's Degree
75%

Core Tasks

Determine the nature of code violations and actions to be taken, and issue written notices of violation, participating in enforcement hearings, as necessary.
Prepare, organize, and maintain inspection records.
Investigate complaints and suspected violations regarding illegal dumping, pollution, pesticides, product quality, or labeling laws.
Determine which sites and violation reports to investigate, and coordinate compliance and enforcement activities with other government agencies.
Interview individuals to determine the nature of suspected violations and to obtain evidence of violations.
Inform individuals and groups of pollution control regulations and inspection findings, and explain how problems can be corrected.
Verify that hazardous chemicals are handled, stored, and disposed of in accordance with regulations.
Learn and observe proper safety precautions, rules, regulations, and practices so that unsafe conditions can be recognized and proper safety protocols implemented.
Examine permits, licenses, applications, and records to ensure compliance with licensing requirements.
Monitor follow-up actions in cases where violations were found, and review compliance monitoring reports.
Prepare written, oral, tabular, and graphic reports summarizing requirements and regulations, including enforcement and chain of custody documentation.
Observe and record field conditions, gathering, interpreting, and reporting data such as flow meter readings and chemical levels.
Determine sampling locations and methods, and collect water or wastewater samples for analysis, preserving samples with appropriate containers and preservation methods.
Research and keep informed of pertinent information and developments in areas such as EPA laws and regulations.
Participate in the development of spill prevention programs and hazardous waste rules and regulations, and recommend corrective actions for hazardous waste problems.

Median Salary

$81,196

Job Growth

+3%

Sustainability Specialists

Median Salary

$76,664

Job Growth

+7%

Education

Some College
4%

Bachelor's Degree
57%

Master's Degree
39%

View Career

Address organizational sustainability issues, such as waste stream management, green building practices, and green procurement plans.

New workers start around $36,807. Normal pay is $76,664 per year. Highly experienced workers can earn up to $146,779.

Education

Some College
4%

Bachelor's Degree
57%

Master's Degree
39%

Core Tasks

Develop sustainability project goals, objectives, initiatives, or strategies in collaboration with other sustainability professionals.
Monitor or track sustainability indicators, such as energy usage, natural resource usage, waste generation, and recycling.
Assess or propose sustainability initiatives, considering factors such as cost effectiveness, technical feasibility, and acceptance.
Review and revise sustainability proposals or policies.
Provide technical or administrative support for sustainability programs or issues.
Create or maintain plans or other documents related to sustainability projects.
Develop reports or presentations to communicate the effectiveness of sustainability initiatives.
Collect information about waste stream management or green building practices to inform decision makers.
Research or review regulatory, technical, or market issues related to sustainability.
Identify or investigate violations of natural resources, waste management, recycling, or other environmental policies.
Identify or create new sustainability indicators.
Create marketing or outreach media, such as brochures or Web sites, to communicate sustainability issues, procedures, or objectives.
Identify or procure needed resources to implement sustainability programs or projects.
Write grant applications, rebate applications, or project proposals to secure funding for sustainability projects.

Median Salary

$76,664

Job Growth

+7%

GIS Technicians

Median Salary

$81,875

Job Growth

-9%

Education

Bachelor's Degree
65%

Master's Degree
35%

View Career

Assist scientists or related professionals in building, maintaining, modifying, or using geographic information systems (GIS) databases. May also perform some custom application development or provide user support.

New workers start around $43,317. Normal pay is $81,875 per year. Highly experienced workers can earn up to $151,322.

Education

Bachelor's Degree
65%

Master's Degree
35%

Core Tasks

Produce data layers, maps, tables, or reports, using spatial analysis procedures or Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology, equipment, or systems.
Design or prepare graphic representations of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) data, using GIS hardware or software applications.
Maintain or modify existing Geographic Information Systems (GIS) databases.
Provide technical expertise in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology to clients or users.
Perform computer programming, data analysis, or software development for Geographic Information Systems (GIS) applications, including the maintenance of existing systems or research and development for future enhancements.
Enter data into Geographic Information Systems (GIS) databases, using techniques such as coordinate geometry, keyboard entry of tabular data, manual digitizing of maps, scanning or automatic conversion to vectors, or conversion of other sources of digital data.
Review existing or incoming data for currency, accuracy, usefulness, quality, or completeness of documentation.
Perform geospatial data building, modeling, or analysis, using advanced spatial analysis, data manipulation, or cartography software.
Design or coordinate the development of integrated Geographic Information Systems (GIS) spatial or non-spatial databases.
Perform integrated or computerized Geographic Information Systems (GIS) analyses to address scientific problems.
Select cartographic elements needed for effective presentation of information.
Provide technical support to users or clients regarding the maintenance, development, or operation of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) databases, equipment, or applications.
Collect, compile, or integrate Geographic Information Systems (GIS) data, such as remote sensing or cartographic data for inclusion in map manuscripts.
Interpret aerial or ortho photographs.
Meet with clients to discuss topics such as technical specifications, customized solutions, or operational problems.
Document, design, code, or test Geographic Information Systems (GIS) models, internet mapping solutions, or other applications.
Create, analyze, report, convert, or transfer data, using specialized applications program software.
Confer with users to analyze, configure, or troubleshoot applications.
Design, program, or model Geographic Information Systems (GIS) applications or procedures.
Develop specialized computer software routines, internet-based Geographic Information Systems (GIS) databases, or business applications to customize geographic information.
Make recommendations regarding upgrades, considering implications of new or revised Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software, equipment, or applications.
Assist users in formulating Geographic Information Systems (GIS) requirements or understanding the implications of alternatives.
Create visual representations of geospatial data, using complex procedures such as analytical modeling, three-dimensional renderings, or plot creation.
Transfer or rescale information from original photographs onto maps or other photographs.
Prepare training materials for, or make presentations to, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) users.

Median Salary

$81,875

Job Growth

-9%

Biostatisticians

Median Salary

$96,118

Job Growth

+20%

Education

Bachelor's Degree
13%

Master's Degree
58%

Doctoral or More
29%

View Career

Develop and apply biostatistical theory and methods to the study of life sciences.

New workers start around $54,961. Normal pay is $96,118 per year. Highly experienced workers can earn up to $151,683.

Education

Bachelor's Degree
13%

Master's Degree
58%

Doctoral or More
29%

Core Tasks

Draw conclusions or make predictions, based on data summaries or statistical analyses.
Write detailed analysis plans and descriptions of analyses and findings for research protocols or reports.
Analyze clinical or survey data, using statistical approaches such as longitudinal analysis, mixed-effect modeling, logistic regression analyses, and model-building techniques.
Calculate sample size requirements for clinical studies.
Read current literature, attend meetings or conferences, and talk with colleagues to keep abreast of methodological or conceptual developments in fields such as biostatistics, pharmacology, life sciences, and social sciences.
Prepare tables and graphs to present clinical data or results.
Design research studies in collaboration with physicians, life scientists, or other professionals.
Write program code to analyze data with statistical analysis software.
Provide biostatistical consultation to clients or colleagues.
Review clinical or other medical research protocols and recommend appropriate statistical analyses.
Prepare statistical data for inclusion in reports to data monitoring committees, federal regulatory agencies, managers, or clients.
Determine project plans, timelines, or technical objectives for statistical aspects of biological research studies.
Develop or implement data analysis algorithms.
Prepare articles for publication or presentation at professional conferences.
Plan or direct research studies related to life sciences.
Monitor clinical trials or experiments to ensure adherence to established procedures or to verify the quality of data collected.
Write research proposals or grant applications for submission to external bodies.
Design or maintain databases of biological data.
Collect data through surveys or experimentation.
Apply research or simulation results to extend biological theory or recommend new research projects.
Assign work to biostatistical assistants or programmers.
Develop or use mathematical models to track changes in biological phenomena, such as the spread of infectious diseases.
Analyze archival data, such as birth, death, and disease records.
Design surveys to assess health issues.
Teach graduate or continuing education courses or seminars in biostatistics.

Median Salary

$96,118

Job Growth

+20%

Bioinformatics Technicians

Median Salary

$107,961

Job Growth

+26%

Education

Bachelor's Degree
53%

Master's Degree
41%

Doctoral or More
6%

View Career

Apply principles and methods of bioinformatics to assist scientists in areas such as pharmaceuticals, medical technology, biotechnology, computational biology, proteomics, computer information science, biology and medical informatics. Apply bioinformatics tools to visualize, analyze, manipulate or interpret molecular data. May build and maintain databases for processing and analyzing genomic or other biological information.

New workers start around $60,541. Normal pay is $107,961 per year. Highly experienced workers can earn up to $188,755.

Education

Bachelor's Degree
53%

Master's Degree
41%

Doctoral or More
6%

Core Tasks

Analyze or manipulate bioinformatics data using software packages, statistical applications, or data mining techniques.
Extend existing software programs, web-based interactive tools, or database queries as sequence management and analysis needs evolve.
Maintain awareness of new and emerging computational methods and technologies.
Conduct quality analyses of data inputs and resulting analyses or predictions.
Develop or maintain applications that process biologically based data into searchable databases for purposes of analysis, calculation, or presentation.
Enter or retrieve information from structural databases, protein sequence motif databases, mutation databases, genomic databases or gene expression databases.
Confer with researchers, clinicians, or information technology staff to determine data needs and programming requirements and to provide assistance with database-related research activities.
Participate in the preparation of reports or scientific publications.
Write computer programs or scripts to be used in querying databases.
Document all database changes, modifications, or problems.
Create data management or error-checking procedures and user manuals.

Median Salary

$107,961

Job Growth

+26%

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Physical Sciences

School of Physical Sciences Contact

Programs of Study

Chemistry

Geology

Physics

Explore Careers

Brownfield Redevelopment Specialists and Site Managers

Environmental Compliance Inspectors

Sustainability Specialists

GIS Technicians

Biostatisticians

Bioinformatics Technicians

Is this Interest Area right for you?

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About IVC

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Admission Support

Plan Your Classes

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Financial Support

Costs & Payments

Supporting You

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Get Involved

Your Community

Campus

Finish Your Path at IVC

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Transcripts & Records

Physical Sciences

School of Physical Sciences Contact

Programs of Study

Chemistry

Geology

Physics

Explore Careers

Brownfield Redevelopment Specialists and Site Managers

Environmental Compliance Inspectors

Sustainability Specialists

GIS Technicians

Biostatisticians

Bioinformatics Technicians

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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