Physics Research Resources
Research experience is one of the most valuable ways for physics students to develop technical skills, explore advanced topics outside of required coursework, strengthen graduate school applications, and prepare for their careers.
Students should visit our Research Opportunities page to learn more about UC Davis faculty research groups, Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) programs, and other research opportunities.
Teaching and Physics Education Opportunities
For students interested in a career in physics education, the CalTeach/Mathematics and Science Teaching (MAST) program at UC Davis offers internship opportunities in this field. Through the Learning Assistant program, students gain the experience necessary for teaching credential programs at the K-12 or lower division college course level. The Physics Teacher Education Coalition (PhysTEC) has named UC Davis one of eighteen national demonstration sites for the education of physics teachers.
Students are encouraged to gain some teaching experience by exploring the opportunities such as Physics 7 Learning Assistant roles and the MAST I-III sequence. For additional information, contact MAST lecturer Mary-Betty Stevenson at [email protected].
Physics Career Exploration Information
All physics majors are highly encouraged to become familiar with the American Institute of Physics (AIP) website during their undergraduate studies. The AIP website is an invaluable, up-to-date resource for news within the field of physics, and contains information and resources for both students and professionals.The AIP website's Career Resources page contains a wide variety of content that can help students who are deciding on physics as a major, considering graduate studies, or seeking their first job in the field. Job listings for undergraduate students still at the bachelors degree level are available through the Society of Physics Students (SPS) Jobs site, while more advanced level positions can be viewed via the Physics Today Jobs page.
During the academic year, the Physics Department offers PHY 190 (Undergraduate Physics Career Seminar) and PHY 185 (Alumni Seminar Series) to give students an opportunity to learn about various career paths from both current faculty and past UCD physics graduates. These seminars are highly recommended for students of all academic levels. PHY 190 is offered every fall quarter, while PHY 185 is offered every spring.
To further help students explore the possibilities of their majors, UC Davis now hosts a new blog, What Can I Do With My Major?, a useful career resource that is frequently updated by advisors and faculty on campus. Be sure to also check out the Featured Alumni of the Month and Alumni Testimonials for more inspiration from UCD graduates.
In 2022, the Physics Club created a guide for incoming transfer students. It includes information about classes, student organizations, research opportunities, introductory programming activities, and other preparatory resources to help students prepare for coursework at UC Davis. Although originally aimed towards transfers, this is a valuable resource for all physics undergraduates.
Additional career resources are available at the Career Center, including upcoming Career Fair dates, resume assistance, and interview advice.
UCD Physics Student Placement After Undergraduate Studies
MS/PhD Programs that have admitted recent UCD Physics Graduates
Alliant International University - San Francisco - Boston University - Brown University - Carnegie Mellon University -Colorado School of Mines - Columbia University in the City of New York - Cornell University - CSU Fresno - CSU Long Beach - CSU Sacramento - Duke University - Georgia Institute of Technology - Harvard University - Massachusetts Institute of Technology - McGill University - Northern Illinois University - Northwestern University - Oregon State University - Pennsylvania State University - Ross University School of Medicine - San Diego State University - San Jose State University - Santa Clara University - Stanford University - Stony Brook University - Texas A&M University - The Petroleum Institute - The University of Texas at Austin - The University of Birmingham - Tulane University - UC Berkeley - UC Davis - UC Hastings College of the Law - UC Irvine - UC Los Angeles - UC Merced - UC Riverside - UC San Diego - UC Santa Barbara - UC Santa Cruz - UN Reno - University of Arizona - University of Chicago - University of Colorado at Boulder - University of Connecticut - University of Hawaii at Manoa -
University of Minnesota - University of New Hampshire - University of Rochester - University of Southern California - University of Texas Health at San Antonio - University of the Pacific - University of Washington - University of Waterloo - University of Wisconsin - VU University Amsterdam - Yale University
Employers of recent UCD Physics Graduates
Aerojet Rocketdyne - AJ Tutoring - AmeriCorps - Apple - Applied Materials - Augmedix - Berkeley Cement Inc. - Boeing - Chromally - CrowdFlower - Desert Research Institute - Duo Security - Elk Grove Unified School District - Emtrain - FEI Company - Foresite Capital Management - Fremont Rideout Health Group - Genentech - Gilead Sciences - GIS Data Resource Inc. - Google - HMMH - IAEA - Infinera - Innovation Counsel LLP - Insitu Inc. - Intel Corporation - JPL, NASA - Keyrus - Lattice Semiconductor - Lodi News Sentinel - Matroid - MBE Project Services - Mitratech - Nel Hydrogen - Orogamis - OSIsoft - PCTEL - Peregrine School - Planet - Real Self - Russel Tobin & Associates - Sandia National Laboratories - SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory - Sodick America Corporation - Solar City - Steward Partners Global Advisory - SURFnet - Sylvan Learning - Terra Bella - Tricida Inc. - UAE Trekkers - UC Davis - Ultraview/Furaxa Inc. - Unitech Engineering Inc. - Vector Marketing - Xander - Zygo Corporation
Job Positions/Titles of recent UCD Physics Graduates
Academic Tutor - Aerosol Optics Researcher - AES Consultant - Americorps Member - Analyst - Application Developer - Associate GeoSpatial Developer - Associate RF Engineer - Clinical Trial Management Associate - Community Manager - Data Analyst - Data Technology Analyst - Developer Services Engineering Contractor - Director of Education -
Director Of Marketing And Public Relations - Documentation Specialist - Education Specialist & Technology Coordinator - Electronics Test Engineer - Engineering Technician - Field Service Engineer - Financial Operation Coordinator - Flight Operations Engineer - Front End Engineer - Full Stack Web & Mobile Developer - Help Desk IT Analyst - Integration Engineer Technician - Junior Web Developer - Lead Mechanical Design and Manufacturing Engineer - Lecturer -
Legal Counsel - Manufacturing Technician - Materials Engineer - Network Technician - Patent Prosecution Associate - Physical Design Engineer - Physics & Calculus Tutor - Project Engineer - Project Manager - Quality and Reliability Engineer - Quantitative Analyst - R&D Electronics Engineer - Recruiting Assistant - Research & Evaluation Assistant - Research Associate - Restoration Assistant - Robotics Software Engineer - Satellite Operations Specialist - Software Developer - Software Development Engineer - Software Engineer - Software Quality Associate