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

Mechanical Engineers

Median Salary

$102,760

Job Growth

-6%

Education

Some College
5%

Associate's Degree
7%

Bachelor's Degree
88%

View Career

Perform engineering duties in planning and designing tools, engines, machines, and other mechanically functioning equipment. Oversee installation, operation, maintenance, and repair of equipment such as centralized heat, gas, water, and steam systems.

New workers start around $66,534. Normal pay is $102,760 per year. Highly experienced workers can earn up to $166,312.

Education

Some College
5%

Associate's Degree
7%

Bachelor's Degree
88%

Core Tasks

Read and interpret blueprints, technical drawings, schematics, or computer-generated reports.
Research, design, evaluate, install, operate, or maintain mechanical products, equipment, systems or processes to meet requirements.
Confer with engineers or other personnel to implement operating procedures, resolve system malfunctions, or provide technical information.
Develop, coordinate, or monitor all aspects of production, including selection of manufacturing methods, fabrication, or operation of product designs.
Investigate equipment failures or difficulties to diagnose faulty operation and recommend remedial actions.
Specify system components or direct modification of products to ensure conformance with engineering design, performance specifications, or environmental regulations.
Develop or test models of alternate designs or processing methods to assess feasibility, sustainability, operating condition effects, potential new applications, or necessity of modification.
Assist drafters in developing the structural design of products, using drafting tools or computer-assisted drafting equipment or software.
Recommend design modifications to eliminate machine or system malfunctions.
Oversee installation, operation, maintenance, or repair to ensure that machines or equipment are installed and functioning according to specifications.
Conduct research that tests or analyzes the feasibility, design, operation, or performance of equipment, components, or systems.
Research and analyze customer design proposals, specifications, manuals, or other data to evaluate the feasibility, cost, or maintenance requirements of designs or applications.
Provide feedback to design engineers on customer problems or needs.
Design test control apparatus or equipment or develop procedures for testing products.
Estimate costs or submit bids for engineering, construction, or extraction projects.

Median Salary

$102,760

Job Growth

-6%

Fuel Cell Engineers

Median Salary

$102,760

Job Growth

-6%

Education

Bachelor's Degree
38%

Master's Degree
33%

Doctoral or More
29%

View Career

Design, evaluate, modify, or construct fuel cell components or systems for transportation, stationary, or portable applications.

New workers start around $66,534. Normal pay is $102,760 per year. Highly experienced workers can earn up to $166,312.

Education

Bachelor's Degree
38%

Master's Degree
33%

Doctoral or More
29%

Core Tasks

Conduct fuel cell testing projects, using fuel cell test stations, analytical instruments, or electrochemical diagnostics, such as cyclic voltammetry or impedance spectroscopy.
Design or implement fuel cell testing or development programs.
Write technical reports or proposals related to engineering projects.
Plan or implement fuel cell cost reduction or product improvement projects in collaboration with other engineers, suppliers, support personnel, or customers.
Validate design of fuel cells, fuel cell components, or fuel cell systems.
Plan or conduct experiments to validate new materials, optimize startup protocols, reduce conditioning time, or examine contaminant tolerance.
Calculate the efficiency or power output of a fuel cell system or process.
Define specifications for fuel cell materials.
Read current literature, attend meetings or conferences, or talk with colleagues to stay abreast of new technology or competitive products.
Conduct post-service or failure analyses, using electromechanical diagnostic principles or procedures.
Develop fuel cell materials or fuel cell test equipment.
Prepare test stations, instrumentation, or data acquisition systems for use in specific tests of fuel cell components or systems.
Simulate or model fuel cell, motor, or other system information, using simulation software programs.
Characterize component or fuel cell performances by generating operating maps, defining operating conditions, identifying design refinements, or executing durability assessments.
Fabricate prototypes of fuel cell components, assemblies, stacks, or systems.
Analyze fuel cell or related test data, using statistical software.
Design fuel cell systems, subsystems, stacks, assemblies, or components, such as electric traction motors or power electronics.
Recommend or implement changes to fuel cell system designs.
Provide technical consultation or direction related to the development or production of fuel cell systems.
Develop or evaluate systems or methods of hydrogen storage for fuel cell applications.
Evaluate the power output, system cost, or environmental impact of new hydrogen or non-hydrogen fuel cell system designs.

Median Salary

$102,760

Job Growth

-6%

Mining and Geological Engineers

Median Salary

$135,749

Job Growth

+23%

Education

Bachelor's Degree
96%

Master's Degree
3%

View Career

Conduct subsurface surveys to identify the characteristics of potential land or mining development sites. May specify the ground support systems, processes, and equipment for safe, economical, and environmentally sound extraction or underground construction activities. May inspect areas for unsafe geological conditions, equipment, and working conditions. May design, implement, and coordinate mine safety programs.

New workers start around $113,900. Normal pay is $135,749 per year. Highly experienced workers can earn up to $160,076.

Education

Bachelor's Degree
96%

Master's Degree
3%

Core Tasks

Prepare technical reports for use by mining, engineering, and management personnel.
Inspect mining areas for unsafe structures, equipment, and working conditions.
Select or develop mineral location, extraction, and production methods, based on factors such as safety, cost, and deposit characteristics.
Select locations and plan underground or surface mining operations, specifying processes, labor usage, and equipment that will result in safe, economical, and environmentally sound extraction of minerals and ores.
Prepare schedules, reports, and estimates of the costs involved in developing and operating mines.
Monitor mine production rates to assess operational effectiveness.
Supervise, train, and evaluate technicians, technologists, survey personnel, engineers, scientists or other mine personnel.
Examine maps, deposits, drilling locations, or mines to determine the location, size, accessibility, contents, value, and potential profitability of mineral, oil, and gas deposits.
Design, implement, and monitor the development of mines, facilities, systems, or equipment.

Median Salary

$135,749

Job Growth

+23%

Nuclear Engineers

Median Salary

$141,788

Job Growth

+21%

Education

Certificate
4%

Bachelor's Degree
89%

Master's Degree
7%

View Career

Conduct research on nuclear engineering projects or apply principles and theory of nuclear science to problems concerned with release, control, and use of nuclear energy and nuclear waste disposal.

New workers start around $81,420. Normal pay is $141,788 per year. Highly experienced workers can earn up to $218,692.

Education

Certificate
4%

Bachelor's Degree
89%

Master's Degree
7%

Core Tasks

Initiate corrective actions or order plant shutdowns in emergency situations.
Monitor nuclear facility operations to identify any design, construction, or operation practices that violate safety regulations and laws or could jeopardize safe operations.
Examine accidents to obtain data for use in design of preventive measures.
Design or develop nuclear equipment, such as reactor cores, radiation shielding, or associated instrumentation or control mechanisms.
Direct operating or maintenance activities of nuclear power plants to ensure efficiency and conformity to safety standards.
Recommend preventive measures to be taken in the handling of nuclear technology, based on data obtained from operations monitoring or from evaluation of test results.
Write operational instructions to be used in nuclear plant operation or nuclear fuel or waste handling and disposal.
Conduct environmental studies on topics such as nuclear power generation, nuclear waste disposal, or nuclear weapon deployment.
Direct environmental compliance activities associated with nuclear plant operations or maintenance.
Prepare environmental impact statements, reports, or presentations for regulatory or other agencies.
Prepare technical reports of findings or recommendations, based on synthesized analyses of test results.
Develop or contribute to the development of plans to remediate or restore environments affected by nuclear radiation, such as waste disposal sites.
Design or oversee construction or operation of nuclear reactors, power plants, or nuclear fuels reprocessing and reclamation systems.
Conduct tests of nuclear fuel behavior and cycles or performance of nuclear machinery and equipment to optimize performance of existing plants.
Design or direct nuclear research projects to develop, test, modify, or discover new uses for theoretical models.
Design fuel cycle models or processes to reduce the quantity of radioactive waste generated from nuclear activities.
Consult with other scientists to determine parameters of experimentation or suitability of analytical models.
Keep abreast of developments and changes in the nuclear field by reading technical journals or by independent study and research.
Perform experiments that will provide information about acceptable methods of nuclear material usage, nuclear fuel reclamation, or waste disposal.
Discuss construction project proposals with interested parties, such as vendors, contractors, or nuclear facility review boards.

Median Salary

$141,788

Job Growth

+21%

Petroleum Engineers

Median Salary

$139,394

Job Growth

+1%

Education

H.S. Diploma or Less
8%

Bachelor's Degree
72%

Master's Degree
21%

View Career

Devise methods to improve oil and gas extraction and production and determine the need for new or modified tool designs. Oversee drilling and offer technical advice.

New workers start around $106,355. Normal pay is $139,394 per year. Highly experienced workers can earn up to $183,301.

Education

H.S. Diploma or Less
8%

Bachelor's Degree
72%

Master's Degree
21%

Core Tasks

Specify and supervise well modification and stimulation programs to maximize oil and gas recovery.
Monitor production rates, and plan rework processes to improve production.
Maintain records of drilling and production operations.
Assist engineering and other personnel to solve operating problems.
Analyze data to recommend placement of wells and supplementary processes to enhance production.
Develop plans for oil and gas field drilling, and for product recovery and treatment.
Direct and monitor the completion and evaluation of wells, well testing, or well surveys.
Assess costs and estimate the production capabilities and economic value of oil and gas wells, to evaluate the economic viability of potential drilling sites.
Confer with scientific, engineering, and technical personnel to resolve design, research, and testing problems.
Interpret drilling and testing information for personnel.
Write technical reports for engineering and management personnel.
Coordinate activities of workers engaged in research, planning, and development.
Evaluate findings to develop, design, or test equipment or processes.

Median Salary

$139,394

Job Growth

+1%

Solar Energy Systems Engineers

Median Salary

$104,643

Job Growth

+2%

Education

H.S. Diploma or Less
5%

Certificate
5%

Some College
5%

Associate's Degree
5%

Bachelor's Degree
82%

View Career

Perform site-specific engineering analysis or evaluation of energy efficiency and solar projects involving residential, commercial, or industrial customers. Design solar domestic hot water and space heating systems for new and existing structures, applying knowledge of structural energy requirements, local climates, solar technology, and thermodynamics.

New workers start around $58,455. Normal pay is $104,643 per year. Highly experienced workers can earn up to $197,012.

Education

H.S. Diploma or Less
5%

Certificate
5%

Some College
5%

Associate's Degree
5%

Bachelor's Degree
82%

Core Tasks

Create plans for solar energy system development, monitoring, and evaluation activities.
Design or coordinate design of photovoltaic (PV) or solar thermal systems, including system components, for residential and commercial buildings.
Conduct engineering site audits to collect structural, electrical, and related site information for use in the design of residential or commercial solar power systems.
Create electrical single-line diagrams, panel schedules, or connection diagrams for solar electric systems, using computer-aided design (CAD) software.
Review specifications and recommend engineering or manufacturing changes to achieve solar design objectives.
Develop design specifications and functional requirements for residential, commercial, or industrial solar energy systems or components.
Provide technical direction or support to installation teams during installation, start-up, testing, system commissioning, or performance monitoring.
Perform computer simulation of solar photovoltaic (PV) generation system performance or energy production to optimize efficiency.
Develop standard operation procedures and quality or safety standards for solar installation work.
Create checklists for review or inspection of completed solar installation projects.
Test or evaluate photovoltaic (PV) cells or modules.
Perform thermal, stress, or cost reduction analyses for solar systems.

Median Salary

$104,643

Job Growth

+2%

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Physical Sciences

School of Physical Sciences Contact

Programs of Study

Chemistry

Geology

Physics

Explore Careers

Mechanical Engineers

Fuel Cell Engineers

Mining and Geological Engineers

Nuclear Engineers

Petroleum Engineers

Solar Energy Systems Engineers

Is this Interest Area right for you?

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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

Mechanical Engineers

Fuel Cell Engineers

Mining and Geological Engineers

Nuclear Engineers

Petroleum Engineers

Solar Energy Systems Engineers

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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