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

Food Scientists and Technologists

Median Salary

$79,624

Job Growth

-3%

Education

Bachelor's Degree
65%

Master's Degree
9%

Doctoral or More
26%

View Career

Use chemistry, microbiology, engineering, and other sciences to study the principles underlying the processing and deterioration of foods; analyze food content to determine levels of vitamins, fat, sugar, and protein; discover new food sources; research ways to make processed foods safe, palatable, and healthful; and apply food science knowledge to determine best ways to process, package, preserve, store, and distribute food.

New workers start around $45,010. Normal pay is $79,624 per year. Highly experienced workers can earn up to $136,937.

Education

Bachelor's Degree
65%

Master's Degree
9%

Doctoral or More
26%

Core Tasks

Inspect food processing areas to ensure compliance with government regulations and standards for sanitation, safety, quality, and waste management.
Check raw ingredients for maturity or stability for processing, and finished products for safety, quality, and nutritional value.
Develop new or improved ways of preserving, processing, packaging, storing, and delivering foods, using knowledge of chemistry, microbiology, and other sciences.
Test new products for flavor, texture, color, nutritional content, and adherence to government and industry standards.
Evaluate food processing and storage operations and assist in the development of quality assurance programs for such operations.
Stay up to date on new regulations and current events regarding food science by reviewing scientific literature.
Confer with process engineers, plant operators, flavor experts, and packaging and marketing specialists to resolve problems in product development.
Study the structure and composition of food or the changes foods undergo in storage and processing.
Seek substitutes for harmful or undesirable additives, such as nitrites.
Study methods to improve aspects of foods, such as chemical composition, flavor, color, texture, nutritional value, and convenience.
Develop food standards and production specifications, safety and sanitary regulations, and waste management and water supply specifications.
Develop new food items for production, based on consumer feedback.
Demonstrate products to clients.

Median Salary

$79,624

Job Growth

-3%

Soil and Plant Scientists

Median Salary

$61,345

Job Growth

-1%

Education

Certificate
5%

Associate's Degree
5%

Bachelor's Degree
29%

Master's Degree
38%

Doctoral or More
24%

View Career

Conduct research in breeding, physiology, production, yield, and management of crops and agricultural plants or trees, shrubs, and nursery stock, their growth in soils, and control of pests; or study the chemical, physical, biological, and mineralogical composition of soils as they relate to plant or crop growth. May classify and map soils and investigate effects of alternative practices on soil and crop productivity.

New workers start around $38,167. Normal pay is $61,345 per year. Highly experienced workers can earn up to $146,692.

Education

Certificate
5%

Associate's Degree
5%

Bachelor's Degree
29%

Master's Degree
38%

Doctoral or More
24%

Core Tasks

Communicate research or project results to other professionals or the public or teach related courses, seminars, or workshops.
Develop methods of conserving or managing soil that can be applied by farmers or forestry companies.
Provide information or recommendations to farmers or other landowners regarding ways in which they can best use land, promote plant growth, or avoid or correct problems such as erosion.
Conduct experiments to develop new or improved varieties of field crops, focusing on characteristics such as yield, quality, disease resistance, nutritional value, or adaptation to specific soils or climates.
Investigate soil problems or poor water quality to determine sources and effects.
Investigate responses of soils to specific management practices to determine the use capabilities of soils and the effects of alternative practices on soil productivity.
Conduct experiments to investigate the underlying mechanisms of plant growth and response to the environment.
Identify degraded or contaminated soils and develop plans to improve their chemical, biological, or physical characteristics.
Develop new or improved methods or products for controlling or eliminating weeds, crop diseases, or insect pests.
Study soil characteristics to classify soils on the basis of factors such as geographic location, landscape position, or soil properties.
Develop improved measurement techniques, soil conservation methods, soil sampling devices, or related technology.
Provide advice regarding the development of regulatory standards for land reclamation or soil conservation.
Conduct research to determine best methods of planting, spraying, cultivating, harvesting, storing, processing, or transporting horticultural products.
Develop environmentally safe methods or products for controlling or eliminating weeds, crop diseases, or pests.
Study ways to improve agricultural sustainability, such as the use of new methods of composting.
Perform chemical analyses of the microorganism content of soils to determine microbial reactions or chemical mineralogical relationships to plant growth.
Consult with engineers or other technical personnel working on construction projects about the effects of soil problems and possible solutions to these problems.
Conduct experiments investigating how soil forms, changes, or interacts with land-based ecosystems or living organisms.
Develop ways of altering soils to suit different types of plants.

Median Salary

$61,345

Job Growth

-1%

Biochemists and Biophysicists

Median Salary

$85,858

Job Growth

+24%

Education

Bachelor's Degree
25%

Master's Degree
10%

Doctoral or More
65%

View Career

Study the chemical composition or physical principles of living cells and organisms, their electrical and mechanical energy, and related phenomena. May conduct research to further understanding of the complex chemical combinations and reactions involved in metabolism, reproduction, growth, and heredity. May determine the effects of foods, drugs, serums, hormones, and other substances on tissues and vital processes of living organisms.

New workers start around $39,539. Normal pay is $85,858 per year. Highly experienced workers can earn up to $151,269.

Education

Bachelor's Degree
25%

Master's Degree
10%

Doctoral or More
65%

Core Tasks

Share research findings by writing scientific articles or by making presentations at scientific conferences.
Teach or advise undergraduate or graduate students or supervise their research.
Manage laboratory teams or monitor the quality of a team's work.
Study physical principles of living cells or organisms and their electrical or mechanical energy, applying methods and knowledge of mathematics, physics, chemistry, or biology.
Develop new methods to study the mechanisms of biological processes.
Write grant proposals to obtain funding for research.
Design or perform experiments with equipment, such as lasers, accelerators, or mass spectrometers.
Determine the three-dimensional structure of biological macromolecules.
Prepare reports or recommendations, based upon research outcomes.
Design or build laboratory equipment needed for special research projects.
Study spatial configurations of submicroscopic molecules, such as proteins, using x-rays or electron microscopes.
Study the chemistry of living processes, such as cell development, breathing and digestion, or living energy changes, such as growth, aging, or death.
Study the mutations in organisms that lead to cancer or other diseases.
Research the chemical effects of substances, such as drugs, serums, hormones, or food, on tissues or vital processes.
Research transformations of substances in cells, using atomic isotopes.
Develop or execute tests to detect diseases, genetic disorders, or other abnormalities.
Develop or test new drugs or medications intended for commercial distribution.
Isolate, analyze, or synthesize vitamins, hormones, allergens, minerals, or enzymes and determine their effects on body functions.
Examine the molecular or chemical aspects of immune system functioning.
Research how characteristics of plants or animals are carried through successive generations.

Median Salary

$85,858

Job Growth

+24%

Microbiologists

Median Salary

$93,099

Job Growth

+19%

Education

Associate's Degree
4%

Bachelor's Degree
65%

Master's Degree
17%

Doctoral or More
13%

View Career

Investigate the growth, structure, development, and other characteristics of microscopic organisms, such as bacteria, algae, or fungi. Includes medical microbiologists who study the relationship between organisms and disease or the effects of antibiotics on microorganisms.

New workers start around $52,304. Normal pay is $93,099 per year. Highly experienced workers can earn up to $131,450.

Education

Associate's Degree
4%

Bachelor's Degree
65%

Master's Degree
17%

Doctoral or More
13%

Core Tasks

Isolate and maintain cultures of bacteria or other microorganisms in prescribed or developed media, controlling moisture, aeration, temperature, and nutrition.
Study growth, structure, development, and general characteristics of bacteria and other microorganisms to understand their relationship to human, plant, and animal health.
Examine physiological, morphological, and cultural characteristics, using microscope, to identify and classify microorganisms in human, water, and food specimens.
Provide laboratory services for health departments, community environmental health programs, and physicians needing information for diagnosis and treatment.
Investigate the relationship between organisms and disease, including the control of epidemics and the effects of antibiotics on microorganisms.
Prepare technical reports and recommendations, based upon research outcomes.
Supervise biological technologists and technicians and other scientists.
Monitor and perform tests on water, food, and the environment to detect harmful microorganisms or to obtain information about sources of pollution, contamination, or infection.
Use a variety of specialized equipment, such as electron microscopes, gas and high-pressure liquid chromatographs, electrophoresis units, thermocyclers, fluorescence-activated cell sorters, and phosphorimagers.
Observe action of microorganisms upon living tissues of plants, higher animals, and other microorganisms, and on dead organic matter.

Median Salary

$93,099

Job Growth

+19%

Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists

Median Salary

$84,635

Job Growth

-6%

Education

Bachelor's Degree
47%

Master's Degree
39%

Doctoral or More
13%

View Career

Study the origins, behavior, diseases, genetics, and life processes of animals and wildlife. May specialize in wildlife research and management. May collect and analyze biological data to determine the environmental effects of present and potential use of land and water habitats.

New workers start around $32,233. Normal pay is $84,635 per year. Highly experienced workers can earn up to $145,473.

Education

Bachelor's Degree
47%

Master's Degree
39%

Doctoral or More
13%

Core Tasks

Make recommendations on management systems and planning for wildlife populations and habitat, consulting with stakeholders and the public at large to explore options.
Inventory or estimate plant and wildlife populations.
Disseminate information by writing reports and scientific papers or journal articles, and by making presentations and giving talks for schools, clubs, interest groups and park interpretive programs.
Check for, and ensure compliance with, environmental laws, and notify law enforcement when violations are identified.
Study animals in their natural habitats, assessing effects of environment and industry on animals, interpreting findings and recommending alternative operating conditions for industry.
Inform and respond to public regarding wildlife and conservation issues, such as plant identification, hunting ordinances, and nuisance wildlife.
Study characteristics of animals, such as origin, interrelationships, classification, life histories, diseases, development, genetics, and distribution.

Median Salary

$84,635

Job Growth

-6%

Bioinformatics Scientists

Median Salary

$97,651

Job Growth

+3%

Education

Bachelor's Degree
34%

Master's Degree
20%

Doctoral or More
46%

View Career

Conduct research using bioinformatics theory and methods in areas such as pharmaceuticals, medical technology, biotechnology, computational biology, proteomics, computer information science, biology and medical informatics. May design databases and develop algorithms for processing and analyzing genomic information, or other biological information.

New workers start around $61,668. Normal pay is $97,651 per year. Highly experienced workers can earn up to $152,070.

Education

Bachelor's Degree
34%

Master's Degree
20%

Doctoral or More
46%

Core Tasks

Develop new software applications or customize existing applications to meet specific scientific project needs.
Communicate research results through conference presentations, scientific publications, or project reports.
Create novel computational approaches and analytical tools as required by research goals.
Consult with researchers to analyze problems, recommend technology-based solutions, or determine computational strategies.
Analyze large molecular datasets, such as raw microarray data, genomic sequence data, or proteomics data, for clinical or basic research purposes.
Keep abreast of new biochemistries, instrumentation, or software by reading scientific literature and attending professional conferences.
Develop data models and databases.
Compile data for use in activities, such as gene expression profiling, genome annotation, or structural bioinformatics.
Design and apply bioinformatics algorithms including unsupervised and supervised machine learning, dynamic programming, or graphic algorithms.
Manipulate publicly accessible, commercial, or proprietary genomic, proteomic, or post-genomic databases.
Direct the work of technicians and information technology staff applying bioinformatics tools or applications in areas such as proteomics, transcriptomics, metabolomics, or clinical bioinformatics.
Provide statistical and computational tools for biologically based activities, such as genetic analysis, measurement of gene expression, or gene function determination.
Create or modify web-based bioinformatics tools.

Median Salary

$97,651

Job Growth

+3%

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Physical Sciences

School of Physical Sciences Contact

Programs of Study

Chemistry

Geology

Physics

Explore Careers

Food Scientists and Technologists

Soil and Plant Scientists

Biochemists and Biophysicists

Microbiologists

Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists

Bioinformatics 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

Food Scientists and Technologists

Soil and Plant Scientists

Biochemists and Biophysicists

Microbiologists

Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists

Bioinformatics 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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