Physics and Physical Oceanography, B.S.

What Can You Do With This Major?

We gathered data from our past graduates and found that most URI alumni who majored in Physics and Physical Oceanography, B.S. go on to work in these industries among others.

Technology

Entry Level - new to the industry

Job Title Salary Range
Staff Scientist $ 50,000 - $ 59,000
Paralegal $ 30,000 - $ 39,000
Software Engineer $ 60,000 - $ 69,000
Entry Writer $ 30,000 - $ 39,000
DSP Engineer $ 70,000 - $ 79,000

Experienced - typically 10 years or more in the profession

Job Title Salary Range
Scientific Programmer $ 80,000 - $ 89,000
Mobile Lead $ 120,000 - $ 129,000
Environmental Health and Safety Specialist $ 80,000 - $ 89,000
Remedial Project Manager $ 110,000 - $ 119,000
Graphics Software Engineer $ 100,000 - $ 109,000

Government

Entry Level - new to the industry

Job Title Salary Range
Staff Scientist $ 50,000 - $ 59,000
Paralegal $ 30,000 - $ 39,000
Software Engineer $ 60,000 - $ 69,000
Entry Writer $ 30,000 - $ 39,000
DSP Engineer $ 70,000 - $ 79,000

Experienced - typically 10 years or more in the profession

Job Title Salary Range
Staff Scientist $ 50,000 - $ 59,000
System Engineer $ 70,000 - $ 79,000
Robotics Engineer $ 80,000 - $ 89,000
Operations Manager $ 110,000 - $ 119,000
Environmental Health and Safety Specialist $ 80,000 - $ 89,000

Education

Entry Level - new to the industry

Job Title Salary Range
Research Assistant $ 30,000 - $ 39,000
Radiation Safety Officer $ 60,000 - $ 69,000
Physics Teaching Assistant $ 40,000 - $ 49,000
Tutor $ 40,000 - $ 49,000
Research Collaborator $ 50,000 - $ 59,000

Experienced - typically 10 years or more in the profession

Job Title Salary Range
Radiation Safety Officer $ 60,000 - $ 69,000
Associate Director Release Management (ACCESS NRI) $ 150,000 +
Assistant Professor $ 40,000 - $ 49,000
Senior Principle Oceanographer $ 120,000 - $ 129,000
Senior Scientist $ 110,000 - $ 119,000

Where Can You Find URI Graduates?

Many alumni who majored in Physics and Physical Oceanography, B.S. go on to pursue advanced degrees or careers across the globe.

Top Graduate Schools Enrolling Our Students

University of Rhode Island Graduate School of Oceanography    |     Stony Brook University    |     Boston University    |     Columbia University    |     North Carolina State University    |     The Ohio State University    |     Massachusetts Institute of Technology    |     University of Hawaii at Manoa    |     Virginia Tech    |     Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Top Employers Hiring Our Grads

Rhode Island Nuclear Science Center    |    The National Institute of Health    |    University of North Carolina    |     West Physics    |    Applied Physics Laboratory-UW    |    Narragansett Bay Classroom    |    University of Hawaii at Manoa    |    Lynker    |    Riverside Technology,Inc.    |    Verisk Analytics    |    NOAA: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration    |     ACCESS-NRI    |     National Computational Infrastructure    |     American Association for the Advancement of Science    |     General Dynamics Electric Boat    |     U.S. Department of Energy    |     Greensea Systems, Inc.    |     Raytheon    |     HII Unmanned Systems    |     Lighthouse Professional Services

What Do Employers Look for in a Candidate?

Across all majors, employers want to hire recent graduates who have the core skills that lead to a successful career. Ask your academic advisor which courses introduce or build upon these 8 Career Readiness competencies. After that, your Career Education Specialist (CES) can help you demonstrate these acquired skills and experiences in your resume.

Career Readiness for All Majors:

  • Critical thinking
  • Oral and written communication
  • Teamwork
  • Leadership
  • Digital technology
  • Professionalism
  • Career and self development
  • Equity and inclusion

Physics and Physical Oceanography, B.S. Skills:

These skills are recommended and ranked by URI alumni with this major.

  1. Research
  2. Teaching
  3. Data Analysis
  4. MATLAB
  5. Management

Contact


Roosevelt Hall
90 Lower College Rd
Kingston, RI 02881

401.874.2993 (ph) / 401.874.5085 (f)