A physics lecturer is someone who teaches physics and related subjects at a university or other type of higher-education establishment. In order to become a physics lecturer, an individual must first obtain a degree in physics, and most institutions also require lecturers to have a master's degree or a doctor of philosophy (PhD) in the subject. Some lecturers are full-time members of the university staff, and others work independent of educational establishments but make occasional appearances as guest lecturers.
Students studying physics learn about the topic by reading science books, attending interactive seminars and going to lectures. Most physics lecturers prepare a series of classes during which they speak on a specific topic. The classes are not interactive, and the physics lecturer has no interaction with the students before or after the classes. Other people encourage students to ask questions during classes and host study sessions with groups of students or individuals to discuss elements of each class in further detail. Lecturers who hold seminars have a role in awarding grades to the students, whereas people who hold interactive sessions generally have no say in the student's grades.
Some physics lecturers spend the majority of their time conducting research. This research is usually paid for by the university for which they work or with government grants. The classes they teach are based on the findings of their research. Other lecturers do not conduct research and instead teach classes that are entirely based on well-established facts in addition to papers and textbooks written by other individuals.
Many lecturers teach classes that cover the general principles of physics and are aimed at students who are attending classes as part of their general course requirements rather than because they are actually taking science degrees. Established lecturers often conduct classes based around one specific element of physics, such as astronomy or nuclear physics. People who teach these more specialized classes usually work with smaller groups of students who are themselves taking undergraduate or postgraduate physics or science degrees.
The physics department at the university is usually run by an experienced physics lecturer known as the head of the department. Depending on the size of the physics faculty, the head might supervise or work alongside several other full-time lecturers. Additionally, many universities offer paid fellowships to postgraduates who teach some classes while completing their studies. Students who become fellows have to maintain high academic standards in order to continue in the role, and many either receive a stipend to cover their own college expenses or are provided with free accommodation in student dormitories.
