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

Veterinary Technologists and Technicians

Median Salary

$52,991

Job Growth

+18%

Education

H.S. Diploma or Less
41%

Certificate
15%

Some College
7%

Associate's Degree
26%

Bachelor's Degree
5%

Doctoral or More
6%

View Career

Perform medical tests in a laboratory environment for use in the treatment and diagnosis of diseases in animals. Prepare vaccines and serums for prevention of diseases. Prepare tissue samples, take blood samples, and execute laboratory tests, such as urinalysis and blood counts. Clean and sterilize instruments and materials and maintain equipment and machines. May assist a veterinarian during surgery.

New workers start around $35,240. Normal pay is $52,991 per year. Highly experienced workers can earn up to $74,007.

Education

H.S. Diploma or Less
41%

Certificate
15%

Some College
7%

Associate's Degree
26%

Bachelor's Degree
5%

Doctoral or More
6%

Core Tasks

Administer anesthesia to animals, under the direction of a veterinarian, and monitor animals' responses to anesthetics so that dosages can be adjusted.
Care for and monitor the condition of animals recovering from surgery.
Perform laboratory tests on blood, urine, or feces, such as urinalyses or blood counts, to assist in the diagnosis and treatment of animal health problems.
Maintain controlled drug inventory and related log books.
Prepare and administer medications, vaccines, serums, or treatments, as prescribed by veterinarians.
Restrain animals during exams or procedures.
Administer emergency first aid, such as performing emergency resuscitation or other life saving procedures.
Clean and sterilize instruments, equipment, or materials.
Provide veterinarians with the correct equipment or instruments, as needed.
Perform dental work, such as cleaning, polishing, or extracting teeth.
Observe the behavior and condition of animals and monitor their clinical symptoms.
Fill prescriptions, measuring medications and labeling containers.
Give enemas and perform catheterizations, ear flushes, intravenous feedings, or gavages.
Collect, prepare, and label samples for laboratory testing, culture, or microscopic examination.
Prepare animals for surgery, performing such tasks as shaving surgical areas.
Take and develop diagnostic radiographs, using x-ray equipment.
Discuss medical health of pets with clients, such as post-operative status.
Take animals into treatment areas and assist with physical examinations by performing such duties as obtaining temperature, pulse, or respiration data.
Prepare treatment rooms for surgery.
Clean kennels, animal holding areas, surgery suites, examination rooms, or animal loading or unloading facilities to control the spread of disease.
Maintain laboratory, research, or treatment records, as well as inventories of pharmaceuticals, equipment, or supplies.
Maintain instruments, equipment, or machinery to ensure proper working condition.
Dress and suture wounds and apply splints or other protective devices.
Provide assistance with animal euthanasia and the disposal of remains.
Schedule appointments and procedures for animals.
Provide information or counseling regarding issues such as animal health care, behavior problems, or nutrition.
Monitor medical supplies and place orders when inventory is low.
Supervise or train veterinary students or other staff members.
Perform a variety of office, clerical, or accounting duties, such as reception, billing, bookkeeping, or selling products.
Bathe animals, clip nails or claws, and brush or cut animals' hair.

Median Salary

$52,991

Job Growth

+18%

Surgical Assistants

Median Salary

$55,578

Job Growth

+19%

Education

H.S. Diploma or Less
13%

Certificate
15%

Some College
11%

Associate's Degree
25%

Bachelor's Degree
24%

Master's Degree
8%

Doctoral or More
4%

View Career

Assist in operations, under the supervision of surgeons. May, in accordance with state laws, help surgeons to make incisions and close surgical sites, manipulate or remove tissues, implant surgical devices or drains, suction the surgical site, place catheters, clamp or cauterize vessels or tissue, and apply dressings to surgical site.

New workers start around $27,798. Normal pay is $55,578 per year. Highly experienced workers can earn up to $129,532.

Education

H.S. Diploma or Less
13%

Certificate
15%

Some College
11%

Associate's Degree
25%

Bachelor's Degree
24%

Master's Degree
8%

Doctoral or More
4%

Core Tasks

Verify the identity of patient or operative site.
Monitor and maintain aseptic technique throughout procedures.
Coordinate or participate in the positioning of patients, using body stabilizing equipment or protective padding to provide appropriate exposure for the procedure or to protect against nerve damage or circulation impairment.
Cover patients with surgical drapes to create and maintain a sterile operative field.
Maintain an unobstructed operative field, using surgical retractors, sponges, or suctioning and irrigating equipment.
Apply sutures, staples, clips, or other materials to close skin, facia, or subcutaneous wound layers.
Prepare and apply sterile wound dressings.
Clamp, ligate, or cauterize blood vessels to control bleeding during surgical entry, using hemostatic clamps, suture ligatures, or electrocautery equipment.
Discuss with surgeon the nature of the surgical procedure, including operative consent, methods of operative exposure, diagnostic or laboratory data, or patient-advanced directives or other needs.
Determine availability of necessary equipment or supplies for operative procedures.
Assess skin integrity or other body conditions upon completion of the procedure to determine if damage has occurred from body positioning.
Assist with patient resuscitation during cardiac arrest or other life-threatening events.
Obtain or inspect sterile or non-sterile surgical equipment, instruments, or supplies.
Operate sterilizing devices.
Pass instruments or supplies to surgeon during procedure.
Monitor patient intra-operative status, including patient position, vital signs, or volume and color of blood.
Assist in the insertion, positioning, or suturing of closed-wound drainage systems.
Assist members of surgical team with gowning or gloving.
Gather, arrange, or assemble instruments or supplies.
Coordinate with anesthesia personnel to maintain patient temperature.
Adjust and maintain operating room temperature, humidity, or lighting, according to surgeon's specifications.
Assist in applying casts, splints, braces, or similar devices.
Transport patients to operating room.

Median Salary

$55,578

Job Growth

+19%

Medical Assistants

Median Salary

$37,008

Job Growth

+10%

Education

H.S. Diploma or Less
21%

Certificate
45%

Some College
17%

Bachelor's Degree
17%

View Career

Perform administrative and certain clinical duties under the direction of a physician. Administrative duties may include scheduling appointments, maintaining medical records, billing, and coding information for insurance purposes. Clinical duties may include taking and recording vital signs and medical histories, preparing patients for examination, drawing blood, and administering medications as directed by physician.

New workers start around $27,479. Normal pay is $37,008 per year. Highly experienced workers can earn up to $59,167.

Education

H.S. Diploma or Less
21%

Certificate
45%

Some College
17%

Bachelor's Degree
17%

Core Tasks

Interview patients to obtain medical information and measure their vital signs, weight, and height.
Clean and sterilize instruments and dispose of contaminated supplies.
Record patients' medical history, vital statistics, or information such as test results in medical records.
Explain treatment procedures, medications, diets, or physicians' instructions to patients.
Collect blood, tissue, or other laboratory specimens, log the specimens, and prepare them for testing.
Prepare treatment rooms for patient examinations, keeping the rooms neat and clean.
Show patients to examination rooms and prepare them for the physician.
Help physicians examine and treat patients, handing them instruments or materials or performing such tasks as giving injections or removing sutures.
Perform routine laboratory tests and sample analyses.
Greet and log in patients arriving at office or clinic.
Perform general office duties, such as answering telephones, taking dictation, or completing insurance forms.
Prepare and administer medications as directed by a physician.
Authorize drug refills and provide prescription information to pharmacies.
Change dressings on wounds.
Schedule appointments for patients.
Inventory and order medical, lab, or office supplies or equipment.
Contact medical facilities or departments to schedule patients for tests or admission.
Operate x-ray, electrocardiogram (EKG), or other equipment to administer routine diagnostic tests.
Set up medical laboratory equipment.

Median Salary

$37,008

Job Growth

+10%

Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists

Median Salary

$92,955

Job Growth

+44%

Education

H.S. Diploma or Less
32%

Certificate
9%

Some College
18%

Associate's Degree
18%

Bachelor's Degree
24%

View Career

Enforce fire regulations, inspect forest for fire hazards, and recommend forest fire prevention or control measures. May report forest fires and weather conditions.

New workers start around $59,675. Normal pay is $92,955 per year. Highly experienced workers can earn up to $131,726.

Education

H.S. Diploma or Less
32%

Certificate
9%

Some College
18%

Associate's Degree
18%

Bachelor's Degree
24%

Core Tasks

Relay messages about emergencies, accidents, locations of crew and personnel, and fire hazard conditions.
Estimate sizes and characteristics of fires, and report findings to base camps by radio or telephone.
Conduct wildland firefighting training.
Direct crews working on firelines during forest fires.
Locate forest fires on area maps, using azimuth sighters and known landmarks.
Extinguish smaller fires with portable extinguishers, shovels, and axes.
Patrol assigned areas, looking for forest fires, hazardous conditions, and weather phenomena.
Compile and report meteorological data, such as temperature, relative humidity, wind direction and velocity, and types of cloud formations.
Examine and inventory firefighting equipment, such as axes, fire hoses, shovels, pumps, buckets, and fire extinguishers, to determine amount and condition.
Educate the public about fire safety and prevention.
Direct maintenance and repair of firefighting equipment, or requisition new equipment.
Maintain records and logbooks.
Administer regulations regarding sanitation, fire prevention, violation corrections, and related forest regulations.
Restrict public access and recreational use of forest lands during critical fire seasons.
Inspect camp sites to ensure that campers are in compliance with forest use regulations.
Inspect forest tracts and logging areas for fire hazards such as accumulated wastes or mishandling of combustibles, and recommend appropriate fire prevention measures.

Median Salary

$92,955

Job Growth

+44%

Fish and Game Wardens

Median Salary

$88,150

Job Growth

-270%

Education

H.S. Diploma or Less
14%

Some College
2%

Associate's Degree
4%

Bachelor's Degree
79%

View Career

Patrol assigned area to prevent fish and game law violations. Investigate reports of damage to crops or property by wildlife. Compile biological data.

New workers start around $52,370. Normal pay is $88,150 per year. Highly experienced workers can earn up to $107,765.

Education

H.S. Diploma or Less
14%

Some College
2%

Associate's Degree
4%

Bachelor's Degree
79%

Core Tasks

Patrol assigned areas by car, boat, airplane, horse, or on foot to enforce game, fish, or boating laws or to manage wildlife programs, lakes, or land.
Compile and present evidence for court actions.
Investigate hunting accidents or reports of fish or game law violations.
Protect and preserve native wildlife, plants, or ecosystems.
Issue warnings or citations and file reports as necessary.
Serve warrants and make arrests.
Provide assistance to other local law enforcement agencies as required.
Participate in search-and-rescue operations.
Arrange for disposition of fish or game illegally taken or possessed.
Promote or provide hunter or trapper safety training.
Seize equipment used in fish and game law violations.
Address schools, civic groups, sporting clubs, or the media to disseminate information concerning wildlife conservation and regulations.
Recommend revisions in hunting and trapping regulations or in animal management programs so that wildlife balances or habitats can be maintained.
Inspect commercial operations relating to fish or wildlife, recreation, or protected areas.
Survey areas and compile figures of bag counts of hunters to determine the effectiveness of control measures.
Collect and report information on populations or conditions of fish and wildlife in their habitats, availability of game food or cover, or suspected pollution.
Design or implement control measures to prevent or counteract damage caused by wildlife or people.
Provide advice or information to park or reserve visitors.
Investigate crop, property, or habitat damage or destruction or instances of water pollution to determine causes and to advise property owners of preventive measures.
Issue licenses, permits, or other documentation.

Median Salary

$88,150

Job Growth

-270%

Financial Sales Agents

Median Salary

$55,279

Job Growth

-6%

Education

H.S. Diploma or Less
12%

Some College
4%

Bachelor's Degree
80%

Master's Degree
4%

View Career

Buy and sell securities or commodities in investment and trading firms, or provide financial services to businesses and individuals. May advise customers about stocks, bonds, mutual funds, commodities, and market conditions.

New workers start around $35,804. Normal pay is $55,279 per year. Highly experienced workers can earn up to $155,693.

Education

H.S. Diploma or Less
12%

Some College
4%

Bachelor's Degree
80%

Master's Degree
4%

Core Tasks

Make bids or offers to buy or sell securities.
Monitor markets or positions.
Agree on buying or selling prices at optimal levels for clients.
Keep accurate records of transactions.
Buy or sell stocks, bonds, commodity futures, foreign currencies, or other securities on behalf of investment dealers.
Complete sales order tickets and submit for processing of client-requested transactions.
Report all positions or trading results.
Interview clients to determine clients' assets, liabilities, cash flow, insurance coverage, tax status, or financial objectives.
Discuss financial options with clients and keep them informed about transactions.
Determine customers' financial services needs and prepare proposals to sell services that address these needs.
Sell services or equipment, such as trusts, investments, or check processing services.
Identify opportunities or develop channels for purchase or sale of securities or commodities.
Develop financial plans, based on analysis of clients' financial status.
Review all securities transactions to ensure accuracy of information and conformance to governing agency regulations.
Contact prospective customers to present information and explain available services.
Devise trading, option, or hedge strategies.
Track and analyze factors that affect price movement, such as trade policies, weather conditions, political developments, or supply and demand changes.
Inform other traders, managers, or customers of market conditions, including volume, price, competition, or dynamics.
Offer advice on the purchase or sale of particular securities.
Evaluate costs and revenue of agreements to determine continued profitability.
Explain stock market terms or trading practices to clients.
Calculate costs for billings or commissions.
Prepare financial reports to monitor client or corporate finances.
Supply the latest price quotes on any security, as well as information on the activities or financial positions of the corporations issuing these securities.

Median Salary

$55,279

Job Growth

-6%

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Physical Sciences

School of Physical Sciences Contact

Programs of Study

Chemistry

Geology

Physics

Explore Careers

Veterinary Technologists and Technicians

Surgical Assistants

Medical Assistants

Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists

Fish and Game Wardens

Financial Sales Agents

Is this Interest Area right for you?

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About IVC

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Plan Your Classes

Get Ready for College

Guide to Paying for College

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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

Veterinary Technologists and Technicians

Surgical Assistants

Medical Assistants

Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists

Fish and Game Wardens

Financial Sales Agents

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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