Physics graduate Daniel Vagg commends WIT's smaller class sizes, receptive lecturers and his work placement FeedHenry and the European Space Agency
“The degree you choose to study is a huge decision, and I absolutely recommend physics above all else: for your career/future and to deal with a rapidly changing world.”
Preparing for the future
“The Bachelor of Science (Hons) Physics for Modern Technology degree at WIT was my first choice in my CAO, despite studying subjects for architecture and having never studied physics before. I could not recommend any course more than this one: we're on the verge of major climate changes, we will be landing humans on Mars within the next 30 years, and medicine is so advanced we can already program genetics. Humanity will demand critical thinking and research, especially while AI replaces the majority of the workforce in many industries.”
Class size
“The lecturers in WIT are receptive to students and review the curriculum to best prepare you for the demands of industries (e.g. renewable energy, advanced materials, and software development). The class sizes are small and this is a huge benefit: It helped me to ask questions when I was not confident in my abilities, and I was given the help I needed to finally understand a lot of maths that I was not great at.”
Connections
“Year three of the degree includes a work-placement. I worked in two places: FeedHenry and the European Space Agency (ESTEC). Both placements were incredibly and equally valuable. I learned a lot of software development from FeedHenry - which helped in my final year and beyond. I established connections to ESA which helped fuel my interest for space science.”
Follow on study
“I returned to FeedHenry after my degree, and thoroughly enjoyed working there for over 2 years. I later went on to study a Master’s degree in Physics (specializing in Space Science) at UCD. Once I graduated from UCD I helped start a company called "Parameter Space Ltd". We are now building advanced data analysis platforms for the latest satellites from the European Space Agency.”
Attracting employers
“Sometimes I am asked how a degree in Physics can help get a job, and it surprises me. A degree in physics teaches you excellent problem-solving techniques and critical thinking skills. With the internet providing a resource for almost any profession, employers’ value how well you can relate and understand information; that combined with the programming/computing modules make graduates of this degree extremely attractive to employers.”
Study the Bachelor of Science (Honours) Physics for Modern Technology at WIT
The BSc (Hons) in Physics for Modern Technology is a four-year honours degree course, including a six-month work placement in industry. It is designed to provide students with strong and complementary skills in the areas of physics, engineering, mathematics and programming.
Students undertake a six-month work placement, either in Ireland or abroad, allowing them to develop valuable professional skills.Students who enrol in this course can expect to study modules such as; Special Relativity & Nuclear Physics, Semiconductor Fundamentals and Photonics Applications.
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