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

Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technicians

Median Salary

$75,772

Job Growth

-4%

Education

H.S. Diploma or Less
20%

Certificate
39%

Associate's Degree
33%

Bachelor's Degree
8%

View Career

Operate, install, adjust, and maintain integrated computer/communications systems, consoles, simulators, and other data acquisition, test, and measurement instruments and equipment, which are used to launch, track, position, and evaluate air and space vehicles. May record and interpret test data.

New workers start around $47,829. Normal pay is $75,772 per year. Highly experienced workers can earn up to $106,702.

Education

H.S. Diploma or Less
20%

Certificate
39%

Associate's Degree
33%

Bachelor's Degree
8%

Core Tasks

Test aircraft systems under simulated operational conditions, performing systems readiness tests and pre- and post-operational checkouts, to establish design or fabrication parameters.
Identify required data, data acquisition plans, and test parameters, setting up equipment to conform to these specifications.
Inspect, diagnose, maintain, and operate test setups and equipment to detect malfunctions.
Record and interpret test data on parts, assemblies, and mechanisms.
Confer with engineering personnel regarding details and implications of test procedures and results.
Operate and calibrate computer systems and devices to comply with test requirements and to perform data acquisition and analysis.
Adjust, repair, or replace faulty components of test setups and equipment.
Fabricate and install parts and systems to be tested in test equipment, using hand tools, power tools, and test instruments.

Median Salary

$75,772

Job Growth

-4%

Civil Engineering Technicians

Median Salary

$70,872

Job Growth

-14%

Education

H.S. Diploma or Less
3%

Certificate
30%

Some College
28%

Associate's Degree
21%

Bachelor's Degree
18%

View Career

Apply theory and principles of civil engineering in planning, designing, and overseeing construction and maintenance of structures and facilities under the direction of engineering staff or physical scientists.

New workers start around $47,056. Normal pay is $70,872 per year. Highly experienced workers can earn up to $114,226.

Education

H.S. Diploma or Less
3%

Certificate
30%

Some College
28%

Associate's Degree
21%

Bachelor's Degree
18%

Core Tasks

Calculate dimensions, square footage, profile and component specifications, and material quantities using calculator or computer.
Read and review project blueprints and structural specifications to determine dimensions of structure or system and material requirements.
Draft detailed dimensional drawings and design layouts for projects and to ensure conformance to specifications.
Confer with supervisor to determine project details such as plan preparation, acceptance testing, and evaluation of field conditions.
Analyze proposed site factors and design maps, graphs, tracings, and diagrams to illustrate findings.
Prepare reports and document project activities and data.
Report maintenance problems occurring at project site to supervisor and negotiate changes to resolve system conflicts.

Median Salary

$70,872

Job Growth

-14%

Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technicians

Median Salary

$63,623

Job Growth

-18%

Education

H.S. Diploma or Less
12%

Certificate
24%

Some College
9%

Associate's Degree
43%

Bachelor's Degree
8%

Doctoral or More
4%

View Career

Apply electrical and electronic theory and related knowledge, usually under the direction of engineering staff, to design, build, repair, adjust, and modify electrical components, circuitry, controls, and machinery for subsequent evaluation and use by engineering staff in making engineering design decisions.

New workers start around $36,571. Normal pay is $63,623 per year. Highly experienced workers can earn up to $106,381.

Education

H.S. Diploma or Less
12%

Certificate
24%

Some College
9%

Associate's Degree
43%

Bachelor's Degree
8%

Doctoral or More
4%

Core Tasks

Modify, maintain, or repair electronics equipment or systems to ensure proper functioning.
Replace defective components or parts, using hand tools and precision instruments.
Set up and operate specialized or standard test equipment to diagnose, test, or analyze the performance of electronic components, assemblies, or systems.
Read blueprints, wiring diagrams, schematic drawings, or engineering instructions for assembling electronics units, applying knowledge of electronic theory and components.
Identify and resolve equipment malfunctions, working with manufacturers or field representatives as necessary to procure replacement parts.
Assemble electrical systems or prototypes, using hand tools or measuring instruments.
Review electrical engineering plans to ensure adherence to design specifications and compliance with applicable electrical codes and standards.
Assemble, test, or maintain circuitry or electronic components, according to engineering instructions, technical manuals, or knowledge of electronics, using hand or power tools.
Review existing electrical engineering criteria to identify necessary revisions, deletions, or amendments to outdated material.
Maintain system logs or manuals to document testing or operation of equipment.
Select electronics equipment, components, or systems to meet functional specifications.
Calculate design specifications or cost, material, and resource estimates, and prepare project schedules and budgets.
Educate equipment operators on the proper use of equipment.
Supervise the installation or operation of electronic equipment or systems.
Compile and maintain records documenting engineering schematics, installed equipment, installation or operational problems, resources used, repairs, or corrective action performed.
Modify electrical prototypes, parts, assemblies, or systems to correct functional deviations.
Integrate software or hardware components, using computer, microprocessor, or control architecture.
Procure parts and maintain inventory and related documentation.
Participate in training or continuing education activities to stay abreast of engineering or industry advances.
Research equipment or component needs, sources, competitive prices, delivery times, or ongoing operational costs.
Provide user applications or engineering support or recommendations for new or existing equipment with regard to installation, upgrades, or enhancements.
Specify, coordinate, or conduct quality control or quality assurance programs or procedures.
Produce electronics drawings or other graphics representing industrial control, instrumentation, sensors, or analog or digital telecommunications networks, using computer-aided design (CAD) software.

Median Salary

$63,623

Job Growth

-18%

Environmental Engineering Technicians

Median Salary

$60,923

Job Growth

-28%

Education

H.S. Diploma or Less
11%

Certificate
8%

Some College
7%

Associate's Degree
1%

Bachelor's Degree
72%

View Career

Apply theory and principles of environmental engineering to modify, test, and operate equipment and devices used in the prevention, control, and remediation of environmental problems, including waste treatment and site remediation, under the direction of engineering staff or scientists. May assist in the development of environmental remediation devices.

New workers start around $44,002. Normal pay is $60,923 per year. Highly experienced workers can earn up to $121,436.

Education

H.S. Diploma or Less
11%

Certificate
8%

Some College
7%

Associate's Degree
1%

Bachelor's Degree
72%

Core Tasks

Maintain project logbook records or computer program files.
Record laboratory or field data, including numerical data, test results, photographs, or summaries of visual observations.
Perform environmental quality work in field or office settings.
Collect and analyze pollution samples, such as air or ground water.
Produce environmental assessment reports, tabulating data and preparing charts, graphs, or sketches.
Decontaminate or test field equipment used to clean or test pollutants from soil, air, or water.
Prepare and package environmental samples for shipping or testing.
Maintain process parameters and evaluate process anomalies.
Receive, set up, test, or decontaminate equipment.
Review technical documents to ensure completeness and conformance to requirements.
Prepare permit applications or review compliance with environmental permits.
Review work plans to schedule activities.

Median Salary

$60,923

Job Growth

-28%

Surveying and Mapping Technicians

Median Salary

$82,913

Job Growth

+2%

Education

H.S. Diploma or Less
25%

Certificate
21%

Some College
17%

Associate's Degree
33%

Bachelor's Degree
4%

View Career

Perform surveying and mapping duties, usually under the direction of an engineer, surveyor, cartographer, or photogrammetrist, to obtain data used for construction, mapmaking, boundary location, mining, or other purposes. May calculate mapmaking information and create maps from source data, such as surveying notes, aerial photography, satellite data, or other maps to show topographical features, political boundaries, and other features. May verify accuracy and completeness of maps.

New workers start around $47,547. Normal pay is $82,913 per year. Highly experienced workers can earn up to $126,400.

Education

H.S. Diploma or Less
25%

Certificate
21%

Some College
17%

Associate's Degree
33%

Bachelor's Degree
4%

Core Tasks

Position and hold the vertical rods, or targets, that theodolite operators use for sighting to measure angles, distances, and elevations.
Check all layers of maps to ensure accuracy, identifying and marking errors and making corrections.
Design or develop information databases that include geographic or topographic data.
Monitor mapping work or the updating of maps to ensure accuracy, inclusion of new or changed information, or compliance with rules and regulations.
Produce or update overlay maps to show information boundaries, water locations, or topographic features on various base maps or at different scales.
Determine scales, line sizes, or colors to be used for hard copies of computerized maps, using plotters.
Compile information necessary to stake projects for construction, using engineering plans.
Identify and compile database information to create requested maps.
Operate and manage land-information computer systems, performing tasks such as storing data, making inquiries, and producing plots and reports.
Compare survey computations with applicable standards to determine adequacy of data.
Analyze aerial photographs to detect and interpret significant military, industrial, resource, or topographical data.
Research and combine existing property information to describe property boundaries in relation to adjacent properties, taking into account parcel splits, combinations, or land boundary adjustments.
Calculate latitudes, longitudes, angles, areas, or other information for mapmaking, using survey field notes or reference tables.
Compare topographical features or contour lines with images from aerial photographs, old maps, or other reference materials to verify the accuracy of their identification.
Trace contours or topographic details to generate maps that denote specific land or property locations or geographic attributes.
Provide assistance in the development of methods and procedures for conducting field surveys.
Trim, align, and join prints to form photographic mosaics, maintaining scaled distances between reference points.

Median Salary

$82,913

Job Growth

+2%

Animal Scientists

Median Salary

$54,738

Job Growth

+11%

Education

Bachelor's Degree
15%

Master's Degree
26%

Doctoral or More
59%

View Career

Conduct research in the genetics, nutrition, reproduction, growth, and development of domestic farm animals.

New workers start around $46,330. Normal pay is $54,738 per year. Highly experienced workers can earn up to $79,228.

Education

Bachelor's Degree
15%

Master's Degree
26%

Doctoral or More
59%

Core Tasks

Study nutritional requirements of animals and nutritive values of animal feed materials.
Advise producers about improved products and techniques that could enhance their animal production efforts.
Develop improved practices in feeding, housing, sanitation, or parasite and disease control of animals.
Write up or orally communicate research findings to the scientific community, producers, and the public.
Study effects of management practices, processing methods, feed, or environmental conditions on quality and quantity of animal products, such as eggs and milk.
Conduct research concerning animal nutrition, breeding, or management to improve products or processes.
Research and control animal selection and breeding practices to increase production efficiency and improve animal quality.
Determine genetic composition of animal populations and heritability of traits, using principles of genetics.
Crossbreed animals with existing strains or cross strains to obtain new combinations of desirable characteristics.

Median Salary

$54,738

Job Growth

+11%

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Physical Sciences

School of Physical Sciences Contact

Programs of Study

Chemistry

Geology

Physics

Explore Careers

Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technicians

Civil Engineering Technicians

Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technicians

Environmental Engineering Technicians

Surveying and Mapping Technicians

Animal Scientists

Is this Interest Area right for you?

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Opportunities

Communities

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

Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technicians

Civil Engineering Technicians

Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technicians

Environmental Engineering Technicians

Surveying and Mapping Technicians

Animal Scientists

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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