Application Of Physics Principles for Job Creation Among Undergraduates in Tertiary Institutions in Imo State

Abstract

Physics graduates accounted for about 35% of unemployed youths in Imo State, creating a worrisome situation that requires urgent research attention. This study examined the perceived application of physics principles, specifically thermodynamics and optics, for job creation among final-year undergraduates in tertiary institutions in Imo State, Nigeria. “Application” was operationalised as students’ self-reported use of these principles in innovative, entrepreneurial contexts, using a descriptive survey design. A sample of 390 respondents was selected using multistage sampling from a population of 16,253 across 9 institutions. Data were collected using the “Application of Physics Principles for Job Creation among Undergraduates Scale” (APPJCUS), an 18-item 4-point Likert scale instrument (Reliability α = 0.88). Research questions were analysed using means and standard deviations, while hypotheses were tested with one-sample t-tests (one-tailed, assuming the alternative that means exceed criterion levels). Results indicated low perceived application of thermodynamics principles (M = 20.59, SD = 0.61, t(389) = -142.42, p < .001, significantly below the criterion of 25.00) and optics principles (M = 16.59, SD = 0.74, t (389) = -90.78, p < .001, significantly below the criterion of 20.00). The findings highlight the need for curriculum reforms to enhance entrepreneurial skills in physics education. This study provides empirical evidence on the perceived use of thermodynamics and optics in entrepreneurship among undergraduates, offering practical pathways to integrate physics knowledge with job creation strategies in higher education.