Physical sciences
Eugene Cloete
Chemistry
The clothes that we wear are made with synthetic material produced by chemical processes. The medications we use to cure diseases are the result of intensive chemical research. The paper on which we write is the result of a chemical process and the ink with which we write is a combination of several chemicals. Chemistry ensures the quality of everything we use in our everyday lives: the food that we eat, the air we inhale and even the water that we drink. Our bodies are complex combinations of chemicals. The efficiency of chemistry is indispensable for the processes involved in the way of living of all living organisms, as well as people.1
Knowledge of chemistry is needed in several careers including agriculture, biology, dentistry, medical technology, nursing, pharmaceutics and veterinary science. Graduates in chemistry are employed by a large number of technologically-based institutions. Laboratories in the private and public sector use scientific chemists in their research department and production lines. Industries provide job opportunities in several departments, for example research, production, quality control and marketing.
Chemistry and chemical processes play an important role in the winning of minerals in South Africa and also form the basis of the fuel-from-coal process, the gold, platinum, steel and other related industries, as well as the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries. Managers in these industries need a good technical background in order to develop and manage the aspects of consumer, computer, engineering and pharmaceutical products. A comprehensive financial, economic and industrial knowledge is indispensable. A career in industrial chemistry includes management skills, financial planning and consultation. Industrial scientific chemists are also able to manage their own enterprises.
Geology
The growing world population needs increasing quantities of natural resources like minerals, building materials, water and energy to provide their basic needs. At the same time humanity must face natural threats like earthquakes, tsunami’s and volcanic eruptions as well as the self-imposed problem of pollution.
Most earth scientists become geologists, economic geologists, geochemists, mineralogists, environmental geologists, engineering geologists and hydro-geologists.
Exploration geology has to do with locating scarce minerals – which are of economic importance – in mineable amounts. The geochemist does ground and rock surveys. Thereafter maps are drawn based on the collected samples. These maps indicate the concentration of metals and other elements. The geophysicist measures and charts the gravity, density, electric and magnetic characteristics as well as the radio activity of stones.
Mining geologists map, note down and collect geological data that are necessary for determining the value of the ore in a layer. Together with the mining engineer they monitor and predict the quality of the ore being mined. Laboratory specialists, like mineralogists, identify and examine minerals with the help of sophisticated machinery and analytical equipment. The environmental and engineering geologist studies the interaction between human activities and the geological environment, for example the pollution of soil and groundwater. They study the geological structure and soil characteristics at building sites, like dams, tunnels and mines, in order to make valuable information available before the building starts. Hydro-geologists are involved with the finding, mining and conservation of groundwater.
Mining companies provide geologists and other earth scientists with the most job opportunities. They can be involved in research, exploration and mining projects. Interesting careers can be followed at the Council for Geoscience, the CSIR, the Council for Mineral Technology, the Department of Water, museums, engineering firms and consulting companies. Geologists can also act as consultants in their own service.
Geography
Geography is in the unique position of forming part of both the humanities and the natural sciences and therefore forms the link between the natural and human components of our environment. While Geomorphology, Biogeography, Climatology and Meteorology are the natural scientific components of this discipline, geographers in the humanities area try to solve problems of society, for example population booms and the deterioration and destruction of natural resources. Geography is a spatial science concerned with location and scattering of cities and human activities like agriculture and tourism. Processes, patterns, problems and possible answers associated with it are studied. Geography is also a planning and managing science aimed at improving people’s quality of living. The Geography curriculum at the University of Pretoria places strong emphasis on geomorphology, environmental changes, urban development and land reform. With regard to research, the staff and postgraduate students focus on the impact of climate changes on the Antarctic and sub-Antarctic landscapes.
Geographers study the relationship and interaction between people and their environment. The talents and interests of the geographer determine in which area he or she will specialise, the nature of the problems that he or she will work with and that he or she finds solutions for. Careers for geographers can be divided into three main areas, namely education, research and the application of geographic knowledge and skills in practice.
Geographers can focus on environmental management, urban matters (for example informal settlements), country and rural development of environmental matters, like pollution and the eradication of ecosystems by activities like mining, agriculture and tourism. Geographers in the private sector usually work for firms in real estate, planning, agriculture, engineering, banks, tourist organisations, environmental protection agencies and development institutions.
Thanks to the holistic nature of geographers’ training, they are suitable for policy-making and development of strategies on several management levels. Government departments responsible for water and forestry, land matters, tourism and education also employ geographers. Semi-government organisations like the SABS and CSIR provide career opportunities in specialised fields associated with earth and environmental sciences. Many geographers manage their own enterprises and are involved in marketing, planning, development, tourism, cartography, distance observation, environmental evaluation and analysis and environment auditing. Graduate geographers are also employed increasingly in the development, maintenance and auditing of environmental management systems.
An academic career is another option for the geographer but a higher qualification like a masters or doctoral degree is necessary.
Geo-Informatics
The earth is a delicate planet with limited resources which are used by people more and more. The result is the deterioration of the natural environment and a decrease in biodiversity. In order to manage the environmental and social changes taking place and to ensure a good life for all, we need information to support our decisions on actions and policy with regard to the environment. The information that is needed is mostly of a geographical nature. We are looking for answers to basic questions like: What is it? Where is it? How big is it? What influence will it have on the surrounding nature? Geographical Information Sciences, or Geo-informatics, provide the tools, skills and information to answers these questions and more, about the physical and social environment of our planet. Geo-informatics provides us with information on how our actions can influence the environment in which we live and work, and how our environment can influence our welfare.
The following institutions provide well-paid career opportunities for the geo-informatics specialist: local authorities, government institutions, private companies, for example mining and security companies, banks and other private and utility companies like Eskom and Iscor that use geo-informatics in the following fields: agriculture, mineral exploration, engineering, forestry, water resource management, weather forecasting, environmental impact studies, land usage planning, land development, rural community development, transport planning, tourism, market research, crime prevention, vehicle tracking, disaster management and many more.
Meteorology
The weather and climate play a fundamental role in human lives because it influences daily activities like agriculture, sport, travelling and tourism. It even determines the survival of the human race. There is great anxiety about how the comings and goings of people is irreversibly changing the world’s weather and climate. Meteorologists and atmospheric scientists take an interest in finding out how the physics and dynamics of the atmosphere work. Weather forecasts on the short or long term are of cardinal importance. Nowadays these forecasts are created on a variety of time scales on huge super computers which solve the atmospheric equations. Air pollution is a growing source of anxiety. It is important that the atmosphere is kept clean of all unnatural gasses. The regular monitoring of air quality is therefore important.
Meteorologists are employed by several institutions involved in the studying, interpreting and prediction of weather and phenomena with regard to the climate. The South African Weather Service, the CSIR, some universities, agricultural institutions and the general industry employ meteorologists who mainly specialise in the following areas:
Air pollution: With more industrial activity air pollution is becoming a growing problem. Monitoring of air control and the modelling of the impact of air pollution on societies are two important aspects touched on in this area.
Atmospheric modelling: Currently super computers are used to solve complex dynamic flow equations. It creates the possibility for a better understanding of atmospheric processes and helps with weather forecasts.
Weather forecasts: The central forecasting office of the Weather Service receives weather data from across the world. The weather forecaster must analyse this data and compile weather forecasts by making use of sophisticated numerical models.
Research: Researchers research all aspects of the weather and climate in order to provide effective services and improve on them. Their findings are recognised worldwide.
Climatologists: Climatologists manage important databases which contain large varieties of information gathered by the Weather Service and other institutions. They are also involved in climatologic research at universities, the South African Weather Service and research institutes that predict seasonal changes.
Consultation: Some meteorologists, who work as consultants at universities and in the private sector, provide specialised research services.
Education: At South African universities there are a few positions for meteorologists and climatologists. They ensure that the training of climatologists and meteorologists meet international standards.
Management: Many meteorologists later end up in management positions at the South African Weather Service and other research institutions.
Physics
Physics involves the study of nature’s laws. These principles form the basis of all basic sciences like astronomy, biology, chemistry and geology. Physics forms the basis of the applied sciences and engineering that has developed technology from the horse cart to the supersonic jet, from the candle to the laser beam, from smoke signals to the satellite transmitter. Although physicists are often researchers who analyse nature and related aspects, their creativity and resourcefulness also enable them to successfully occupy management positions on all levels of the industry.
Physics as a career covers a variety of specialised fields, for example acoustics, astronomy, astrophysics, medical physics, material science, geophysics and vacuum sciences. These fields offer a variety of positions, like laboratory supervisor, researcher, technician, teacher and manager. Physics provide job opportunities at government institutions, industries, schools and private organisations across the world. The following are a few examples of fields that physicists can specialise in:
Industries: construction, food, chemical, space, engineering, agriculture, consumer ware, energy, fuel, metallurgy, semiconductors, textile and clothing, transport, computers, electricity, laser technology, materials, meteorology and financial modelling.
Basic research: universities, universities of technology, national laboratories, industrial and private laboratories.
Space and earth sciences: astronomy, space technology, geophysics, geology, atmospheric sciences, energy and resources, oceanography and marine sciences.
Engineering sciences: electronic, electric, biomedical, mechanical, metallurgic, computer, civil, chemical, instrumentation and environmental engineering.
Environmental sciences: sound control, pollution control, conservation, radiation protection and environmental monitoring.
Computer science: graphics, programme design, peripherals, modelling, artificial intelligence, data processing, computer games.
Medicine: radiation tumour theory, magnetic resonance, image shaping, nuclear medicine and diagnostic instrumentation.
Non-technical: law, administration, business world, journalism, museums, sport, accounting, marketing, art and scientific communication.
Publishing: technical books, journals and computer programs.
Communication: telecommunication, television, video recording, photography and laser technology.
Consulting: industries, government and military.
Education: colleges, universities, universities of technology, high schools and primary schools.
The contributions and comments of the following people are gratefully acknowledged: Stroh, A, Kirsten, J, Malherbe, JB and Lubuma, J – Faculty Natural and Agricultural Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria.↩︎