Computational Physics Degrees Lead to Careers Ranging from Designing Computer Games to Work on Wall Street

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Two degree programs recently developed by the Department of Physics in the University at Buffalo's College of Arts and Sciences could lead students into new career paths that a few years ago may have seemed rather unusual for a traditional physicist.

The B.S. program in computational physics and the program that combines a bachelor's degree in computational physics with a master's degree in computational physics -- both interdisciplinary programs that mix computer science, mathematics and physics -- will appeal to students interested in pursuing a career designing computer games, a burgeoning field for physicists.

According to a recent article in The Wall Street Journal, "game physicists" earn from $40,000-$90,000 a year translating complex laws of nature -- those of mass, energy, speed and resistance -- into formulas that make computer games look real.

Take, for example, a game like "Jack Nicklaus 6: Golden Bear Challenge." While hitting a golf ball may seem simple to simulate on a computer game, changing one factor -- such as the angle of a club, the spin on the ball or the movement of the wind -- could make the ball fly into the sand trap instead of into the cup.

"Companies that produce these games are often concerned with getting the physics right," said Michael G. Fuda, professor of physics and director of undergraduate studies in the Department of Physics, noting that advertisements for one golf game boast that it is a "true physics model."

"Clearly, companies that produce such software are interested in people with a physics background who also have computer skills," Fuda said.

The bachelor's program in computational physics has been in place since Fall 1999, while the bachelor's/master's program recently was approved by the state Department of Education and will begin in Fall 2001, he said.

The bachelor's program will appeal both to students who wish to seek employment after graduation, as well as those who wish to pursue graduate studies. The physics and computer science content of the program is sufficient for students to pursue traditional graduate studies in physics or computational science.

The five-year B.S. in Computational Physics/M.S. in Physics program has essentially the same undergraduate content as the four-year B.S. program, but makes it possible to also complete the 30 credits required for the M.S. degree.

Fuda pointed out that the need for programs in computational physics has become clear in recent years.

"Computational physics is now an important sub-field of physics," he said, noting that the Division of Computational Physics has been part of the American Physical Society since 1986. And while physics in the past had been thought of as being divided into two complementary aspects -- theoretical and experimental; -- it now is common among "computing enthusiasts" to think of physics as consisting of three components -- theoretical, experimental and computational, he said.

Computational physics deals with the solution of theoretical problems that cannot be solved by analytical techniques, as well as the simulation of complex systems that are difficult to study using experimental techniques.

Fuda noted that besides teaching and research, many nontraditional career opportunities are available to graduates with degrees in computational physics. These include positions with companies that develop educational software, including that for physics courses, as well as positions on Wall Street.

Graduates employed on Wall Street work on computer modeling of the economy, Fuda said. While there is essentially no physics involved in this kind of work, the equations used are of a type that is familiar to physicists, he said.

Physicists with computer skills are in great demand in the job market, Fuda said, adding that many of UB's recent physics graduates have obtained employment as a result of their computer experience, and with a more systematic development of their computer skills, they will be in even greater demand.

The Department of Physics envisions the program in computational physics to be an important contribution to the education of future physicists, he added.

Information on the B.A. program can be found at .

Information about the B.S./M.S. program may be found at .