Physics Teachers, Postsecondary
What they do
Teach courses pertaining to the laws of matter and energy. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
Expected pay range
Expected pay range
This represents the median earnings for this career in the selected county or state. In the range shown, 25% of workers earned less than the bottom salary and 25% earned more than the top salary. Data is provided by the Texas Workforce Commission.
About physics teachers, postsecondary
Other titles
Adjunct Professor, Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, Instructor, Physical Science Professor, Physics Instructor, Physics Lecturer, Physics Professor, Professor, Science Instructor
Tasks they perform
- Evaluate and grade students' class work, laboratory work, assignments, and papers.
- Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
- Compile, administer, and grade examinations, or assign this work to others.
Skills they need
- Instructing - Teaching others how to do something.
- Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
- Science - Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
- Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
- Active Learning - Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
- Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
- Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
- Learning Strategies - Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
- Writing - Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
- Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
- Complex Problem Solving - Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
- Mathematics - Using mathematics to solve problems.
Licenses and Certifications
How to decide which one is right? That depends on an individual’s career path, specialty, and resources.
Certifications
Certifications may be available for this career and can help build knowledge and skills in specific job roles. Explore available certifications (external link opens new tab)
Similar careers
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Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary
Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary
Additional career information and resources
Learn more about physics teachers, postsecondary with these helpful sites.
- American Association for the Advancement of Science (external link opens new tab)
- American Association of Physics Teachers (external link opens new tab)
- American Association of University Professors (external link opens new tab)
- American Astronomical Society (external link opens new tab)
- American Geophysical Union (external link opens new tab)
- American Institute of Physics (external link opens new tab)
- American Meteorological Society (external link opens new tab)
- American Physical Society (external link opens new tab)
- Astronomical Society of the Pacific (external link opens new tab)
- Council of Graduate Schools (external link opens new tab)