PhD Molecular biology is a minimum 3-year full-time course and stands for Doctorate of Philosophy with the specialisation in molecular biology. The course duration depends on the thesis completion and research work. PhD molecular biology is a course which is designed for students willing to have strong knowledge about the biological aspects and concepts at the molecular level focussing on subjects like biology, chemistry, biotechnology, biochemistry etc.
Candidates holding a Masters in Biological Science or an equivalent degree from a recognized organization with 55% aggregate marks are eligible for this course. The basic aim of studying PhD molecular biology is to learn in-depth about the features of macromolecules, its structure and functions or nourishing the skills for pursuing a career in the same field. The course focuses on the concepts and study of biological activity amidst the cells, its synthesis, modification, mechanisms and interactions.
Admission procedures vary for this course as per the different colleges. Every college like Indian Association for Cultivation of Science, Mangalore University, Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies has its own rules and procedure for admitting candidates into PhD Molecular Biology. Mostly, colleges conduct counselling sessions or entrance exams for selecting students. Interviews are also held for a combined evaluation in the admission procedure. The course prepares students for a successful career in the academic field or working on an industry level in biology and human cell functioning.
See Also: Top PhD Molecular Biology Colleges
Students completing PhD Molecular Biology can work in the Medical Research Areas, Pharmaceutical companies, and zoology or botany studies in various organizations. The PhD graduates can work as a lecturer or academic expert in universities, as a research biologists or scientist with the same expertise. Other career options available after this course are Microbiologist, Clinical Laboratory Scientist, Conservationist, Scientific Manager, or experts in National Parks/ sanctuaries etc.
The course curriculum involves subjects like Endocrinology, Sericulture, Ecology, Mycology etc. and is appropriate for students who are interested in learning the practical and theoretical knowledge of all the cell functions. With ample career options available, the average salary for fresher ranges around 4-8 lpa . The basic fee structure in most of the colleges for this course is about 10k to 1 lacs depending upon the years taken for completing the course.
PhD Molecular Biology Course Highlights
| Course Level | Doctorate |
|---|---|
| Full Form | Doctorate of Philosophy in Molecular Biology |
| Duration | 3 years (minimum) |
| Examination Type | Semester type + research thesis |
| Eligibility | Candidate with Masters degree in the respective field from a recognized university with minimum 55% marks. |
| Admission Process | Entrance-based + Interview |
| Course Fee | INR 10,000 to 3 lakhs |
| Average Salary | INR 2 to 20 lakhs |
| Top recruiting companies | Camris International, Astra Zeneca, Sorrento Therapeutics, AECOM, Takeda Pharmaceutical, Amyris |
| Job Positions | Research Biologist, Microbiologist, Clinical Laboratory Scientist, Environmental Scientist, Scientific Communications Manager |
Why Study PhD Molecular Biology?
PhD Molecular Biology has gained a lot of popularity in the past years due to following reasons:-
- PhD Molecular Biology is constantly growing worldwide, and is rated as one of the top jobs globally.
- You can work for any health care or biology sector. The course also opens the door for a candidate to work in the chemist field or in any academic research. The student can also opt for lectureship in any good university.
- With the scientific approach toward the human cells, the study and the career after that gives an interesting subject to the students.
PhD Molecular Biology Admission Process
Each university offering a PhD Molecular Biology follows a set of systems for admissions of students. Mainly, the admission for PhD Life Science is done on the basis of PhD Entrance Examination, interview and research proposal assessment of each student. Some of the universities allow the students to appear in Entrance examinations like GATE/NET/SET/M.Phil/ JRF examination to register for the admissions; however some universities conduct their own entrance examination.
Some of the important PhD Molecular Biology admission knowledge are mentioned below:
- The universities start a portal in the month of September/October for the registration of the students.
- The potential candidate needs to submit the registration form along with the required documents.
Following documents need to affix with the registration form:-
- Migration Certificate
- Passing certificate/ Degree certificate
- Age proof
- Research Proposal
- No objection Certificate
-
Candidates are required to appear in the entrance examination, either one held by the college or centralized examination like NET/RET in order to check the subject matter knowledge.
-
Once the examination is clear, an interview is held for the further assessment.
5) Some universities also check and scrutinize your research proposals for combined evaluation.
See Also: List of Science Courses (PhD)
PhD Molecular Biology Eligibility
The eligibility criteria for studying PhD Molecular Biology are mentioned below:
- The students with a master’s degree in the respective field from a recognized institute with minimum 55% aggregate marks are eligible for this course.
- Candidates should have a research proposal and an insight of how the research work will be carried out during the PhD programme.
Related Subjects:
PhD Molecular Biology Entrance Exams
The entrance examinations for PhD molecular biology are GATE/NET/RET/SET or JRF examination which basically includes questions based on subject matter knowledge and research aptitude.
| Entrance Exam | Registration Date | Exam Date |
|---|---|---|
|
CSIR UGC NET (June Session) |
2nd week of March – 2nd week of April 2023 | 3rd week of June 2023 |
| UGC NET UGC NET (July Session) | December 29, 2022 – January 23, 2023 | February 21, 2023 – March 10, 2023 |
| ICAR AICE JRF/SRF | To be Announced | To be Announced |
Points to Keep in Mind while Preparing for Entrance Exams
- Go through your entrance exam syllabus thoroughly and follow the time table to complete the full syllabus on time.
- You should have some background or knowledge in Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Health and human biology etc.
- Practice previous year question papers to keep a check on exam patterns.
- For the general aptitude test, be aware about the research methodologies and practice more aptitude questions.
- Strong command on the language is advisable.
How to Get Admission in a Good College
- Keep your research proposal handy with all the necessary study and knowledge.
- Be fluent in the respective subject by gaining appropriate subject matter knowledge.
- Make a strong command on the language.
- Prepare for entrance examinations well.
- Previous year interview questions should be thoroughly studied.
- Have a good aptitude and research knowledge before the test or the interview.
PhD Molecular Biology Syllabus
PhD Molecular Biology Year Wise Syllabus which is followed by most of the university in the course is :-
| Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Microbial Ecology | Cytogenetics | Cancer Biology |
| Aquatic Mycology | Mycology | Sewage Microbes |
| Organic Farming | Animal Physiology | Plant Pathology |
| Nutritional Quality of Wild Legumes | Biodiversity of Wood-Rot Fungi | Environmental Biology |
| Genotoxicology | Endocrinology | Sericulture |
| Environmental Mutagenesis | Ecology of Cyanobacteria | Conservation Biology |
Apart from the regular study, the student needs to do a research project under any mentorship and make a thesis for the same to complete the course.
The following books can be referred to in this course:-
| Name of the book | Author |
|---|---|
| Molecular Biology of the cell | Alexander Johnson |
| Molecular Cell Biology | David Baltimore |
| The cell: a molecular approach | Geoffrey M. Cooper |
| Molecular Biology | David P. Clarke |
| Cell and Molecular Biology : Concepts and Experiments | Gerald Karp |
PhD Molecular Biology Top Colleges
The top colleges that offer PhD Molecular Biology in India are listed below are some of the top institutes offering the course in India Including the location and average fees:
| College Name | City | Average Fees |
|---|---|---|
| University of Madras | Chennai | INR 27,720 |
| University of Delhi | New Delhi | INR 2,20,000 |
| Jawaharlal Nehru University | New Delhi | INR 856 |
| Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology | Bangalore | INR 1,20,000 |
| Tezpur University | Assam | INR 25,000 |
| Indian Institute of Science | Bangalore | INR 25,000 |
| Birla Institute of Technology and Science | Pilani | INR 81,600 |
PhD Molecular Biology Distance Education
Distance Education is quite popular nowadays and holds equal importance as the regular course. There are various universities in India offering PhD Molecular Biology Distance Learning programmes. The syllabus and curriculum for both distance learning and regular course is the same. The only difference between both of them is that students with regular courses attend lectures and practical classes, however in distance learning, students have to study at home and attend semester examinations. Moreover, students opting for distance learning needs to complete their thesis at home.
The eligibility criteria for admission to a correspondence program or distance learning of course is same as the regular course
Top distance education universities for PhD Molecular Biology are mentioned below -
PhD Molecular Biology Course Comparisons
The similar course as PhD Molecular Biology is PhD Cell Biology. However both of them teach some different approaches towards cell theory. The fees and placement packages are also similar. However, it totally depends on an individual to choose either of the courses as per their level of interest.
PhD Molecular Biology Vs. PhD Cell Biology
The comparison between PhD Molecular Biology and PhD Cell Biology are mentioned below:
| Parameter | PhD in Molecular Biology | PhD in Cell Biology |
|---|---|---|
| Domain | Living cell functioning at molecular level | Cell functioning and structure |
| Overview | PhD Molecular biology gives a detailed study about the functioning of cells with respect to the molecular synthesis, interactions, nutrition effect on the particular cell etc. | PhD Cell Biology is a study about the functioning and structure of cells at the macro level and in general. |
| Duration | 3 Years | 3 Years |
| Eligibility | Masters in the respective field | Masters in the respective field |
| Average Annual Fee | INR 3-4 Lakhs | INR 3-6 Lakhs |
| Average Salary Offered | INR 3-6 LPA | INR 3-8 LPA |
PhD Molecular Biology Jobs
PhD Molecular Biology opens various doors in terms of career and job options. After completing the course, one can get a job in the healthcare sector, pharmaceutical company, laboratories, hospitals, academic institutions and even the environmental sector. Some of the students also pursue their research with various private and government institutions. There are also some job options as biologist, forensic scientist, biomedical scientist, healthcare scientist, biotechnologist, food technologist, marine biologist, clinical research associate, microbiologist, pharmacologist, nanotechnologist, research scientist, water quality scientist, technical brewer, ecologist etc.
| JOB POSITION | JOB DESCRIPTION | AVERAGE ANNUAL SALARY IN INR |
|---|---|---|
| Research Biologist | Research Biologists are responsible for recommending improvements to ensure quality, comparing actual results, evaluating existing research techniques, and suggesting solutions to correct the deviations. They may also prepare complete documentation of research activities. | INR 4,03,000 |
| Microbiologist | Microbiologists are responsible for preventing, diagnosing and pronging of diseases, as well as health care, and they may carry out various functions such as epidemiological surveillance, quality auditing, biotechnology development, basic research, management and teaching related to the career, scientist management. | INR 2,91,000 |
| Clinical Laboratory Scientist | Clinical Laboratory Scientists are responsible for information for patient diagnosis and treatment by performing laboratory tests in chemistry, toxicology, microbiology laboratories, and immunology. They maintain quality results by running standards, verifying equipment function, equipment maintenance, and monitoring quality measurements. | INR 6,90,000 |
| Environmental Scientist | Environmental Scientists are responsible for investigative pieces exposing illegal activity, or emerging environmental problems. They also work in types of environmental journalism involving doing background research, sometimes including conducting interviews. | INR 8,95,000 |
| Scientific Communications Manager | Scientific Communications Managers are responsible for ensuring that employees are aware of changes and projects within the company. They prepare presentations and conduct meetings to share information. They may also develop print materials and branding strategies for employee use. | INR 7,17,000 |
The salary after completing the course is around INR 5-10 lpa as per the job and the position. However, there are ample job opportunities after this course.
PhD Molecular Biology FAQs
Ques: What can you do with PhD in Molecular Biology?
Ques: Is it important to put a research proposal at the time of admission?
Ques: What is the difference between PhD in cell biology and PhD in molecular biology?
Ques: What jobs can a molecular biologist do?
Ques: What are the minimum requirements to apply for PhD in molecular biology?
Ques: Is molecular biology a good career?
Ques: How much does it take to complete a PhD in Molecular Biology?
Ques: How many maximum years it takes to complete PhD in Molecular Biology?
Ques: What is the basic criterion considered to pass PhD in Molecular Biology?
Ques: Is it possible to bag a position of lecturer after PhD in Molecular Biology?
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