Graduate physical sciences schools will expose students to several branches of science. Some graduate physical sciences programs concentrate on chemistry, physics, or astronomy and astrophysics. Students can choose more specific study subjects on which to focus their graduate physical sciences program studies. These areas may include biochemistry, biophysics and geophysics.

Students enrolled at graduate physical sciences schools may decide to focus on teaching science in order to become an elementary, secondary or postsecondary instructor. Others concentrate their graduate physical sciences coursework on pharmacology, textile and polymer sciences, or toxicology. Graduate physical sciences programs can prepare students for a variety of careers, including jobs in medicinal chemistry, physics engineering and nanoscience.