PhD Biology: What is it about?

Students eager to learn about the millions of microorganisms surrounding us pursue PhD Biology. It helps to learn about life from the start. The details of the PhD programme in Biology has been described in details below. 

• This is a three-years to five-years duration doctorate level programme in Biology and other related areas of study.
• The eligibility criteria for admission is to have a master degree in the same area of specialization. A minimum aggregate score of 50% is sufficient from a recognized university for admissions.
• Admissions is done through entrance examinations and personal interviews. Candidates need to prepare a research proposal stating an outline of the research.
• Some areas of study that a PhD Biology candidate covers during the programme are cell and molecular Biology, Ecology, Evolution, Computational Biology etc.
• Candidates get to gain information about report writing, research methods, data clean up and presentation, thesis preparation etc. as part of the programme. 

Why Study PhD Biology?

To study a doctorate level programme in any stream requires a lot of effort from a candidate. Reasons to pursue the degree will differ from each individual’s goals and aims. The top reasons why it should be pursued are as below. 

• Career options: The career options after earning a degree in PhD Biology is unlimited. One can work as Research Associate, Research Biologist, Environmental Staff Scientist, Clinical Lab Scientist, Sr. Microbiologist, Product Manager, Natural Science Manager and more. The career choices also differ as per the chosen area of specialization. 
• Pay range: For a doctorate candidate, the pay range is high. Job experience and the skill set of the candidate also come into play with deciding the final pay rate. Pay will also differ from industry to industry. If one is lucky to secure a job in an international organization, the pay will be higher.
• Contribute to Biological advancements: Biologists contribute a lot to humanity in terms of the work they do. They study viruses, bacteria in human beings and animals to understand how they spread and how to control them. Their work is also significant to environmental protection.
•  Educate future students: Among the plethora of career options available, one can choose to also work as teachers or professors to college level students. There is no greater work than to educate the next generation of Biologists who will go on to contribute more to the field. 

What is the PhD Biology Admission Process?

Most institutes admit students through an entrance examination score and a round of personal interview. Candidates need to submit a research proposal that states the research objective, methodology, aim, proposal etc. which is used during the interview. A guide to get admitted into a PhD Biology programme are as follows. 

• Online registration: Registration portal opens up only during a specific date and it is advertised by the institute. The application form and all documents need to be uploaded through the portal.
• Fill up application form: Fill up the application form with all basic details like email id, phone number, past educational achievements, job experience, entrance exam score etc. Correctness is needed while filling the form.
• Upload documents: Upload mark sheets and all other required documents to the portal. Documents must be in a specific format and size as specified by the portal.
• Application fee: Pay a minimal application fee to process the application. Payment can be done using all major online payment methods.
• Examination: If the candidate passes the eligibility criteria, they can sit for the entrance exam. Download admit cards, prepare for the exams and sit for it. Results are announced in a couple of weeks.
• Personal Interview: If candidates are successful in qualifying the entrance exams, they are invited for a round of personal interview. They are required to bring their research proposals for the interview.
• Admission: Post the interview round, the list of candidates who have qualified will be informed. They can then take admission in the college by paying a small admission fee. 

What is the PhD Biology Minimum Eligibility Criteria?

For a candidate to gain admission into the PhD Biology programme, certain eligibility criteria have to be fulfilled. The following general criteria can be applied to most colleges. 

• Candidates must have a master degree in Biology from a recognized institute or university.
• A minimum aggregate score of 50% must have been scored.
• Entrance examination scores like IIS, BITS Pilani or UGC Net is required
• Candidates need to have a research proposal ready stating the research objective, process, methodology etc. This proposal will be used during a personal interview round. 

Which are the Various PhD Biology Entrance Exams Held in India?

The universities in India accept national level and state level examinations during admissions. The following are the most commonly accepted exams scores.

Also, check the entire list of the colleges providing PhD Biology in India.  

PhD Biology: How to Prepare for entrance exams?

The entrance exam syllabus is different from exam to exam. However, a general syllabus can be drawn. To prepare properly for the PhD entrance examinations, the following tips will be helpful.

• Brush up on all basic subject matter taught at the bachelors and masters level. Basics of the chosen area of research can be revised.
• Research basics, methodology, techniques etc. must be studied thoroughly. The more complicated topics need not be studied.
• Prepare a research proposal that states the research aim, objective, methodology etc. which will be used during the personal interview round.
• Read daily news, affairs of the nation and the world daily. Questions will be asked in most entrance exams.
• Download and print past exam papers. Practice the exams in a timed manner and understand the syllabus and the questions pattern. 

How to get admission in a good PhD Biology College?

There are a number of institutes in the nation that offer PhD Biology programmes. To help understand how to secure a seat in a top ranked college, the following tips can be read through. 

• Keeping track of application dates, examination dates etc. is necessary. It is easy to miss any changes in the dates. Access the university’s website for all updates.
• Read through all knowledge taught at the master level and the basics of the chosen area of research.
• The research proposal must be revised and prepared with care. The material must be known inside and out.
• Get help from a mentor or a friend for mock interviews. Look through videos of interview tips and get help from seniors in the same field. 

Which are the Top PhD Biology Colleges in India?

PhD Biology candidates are hired in both Government organizations and private laboratories alike. The industries where one can look into to be hired are Educational Institutes, Medical Research Centers, Zoos and National Parks, National Conservation Centers etc. 

The starting salary range for candidates is on the higher range. The final pay will depend on the candidate’s potential, skills, job experience etc. One can expect a pay range of INR 25,000 to up to INR 85,000 monthly initially. The job positions or profiles candidates are hired into are Microbiologist, Environmental Lab Scientist, Natural Science Manager, Professor, Research Associate etc.

PhD Biology: Future Scope

A PhD is the highest degree one can earn in India. Most candidates are hired to work immediately on completion of the degree or are already working while completing the degree. The employability chances are high for a doctorate degree holder and finding a suitable job will be easy for most. Nevertheless, if one chooses to explore alternative options of studies, the following can be looked into.