Doctor of Philosophy in Microbiology Top Colleges, Syllabus, Scope and Salary

Ph.D. in Microbiology is a 2-year doctorate degree in Microbiology.  Upon completion of the course, for procurement of the degree, scholars ae needed to submit a detailed thesis. As an academic discipline, Microbiology is an advanced study of microorganisms, which are microscopic, unicellular, and cell-cluster organisms. This includes eukaryotes such as fungi and protists, and prokaryotes. Infections and prions, however not entirely classed as living creatures, are likewise considered as part of the discipline. Microbiology typically includes the study of the immune system, or Immunology.

Ph.D. is a broad-based course involving a minimum course credit requirement and submission of a research thesis. The course’s syllabus is divided across 2 years. Successful completion of a Master's degree is the minimum requirement of eligibility for admission to the doctoral program. In cases of a few other subjects, Master of Philosophy (M.Phil.) is an essential requirement for applying to the Ph.D. course.

Such postgraduates are hired in capacities such as Laboratory Technologist, Technical Specialist, Medical Technologist, Clinical Laboratory Scientist, Microbiology, Tutor/Teacher, Sr. Process Scientist, Field Microbiology Application Specialist, Microbiology Instructor, Microbiology Trainee, Medical Microbiologist, Quality Control Officer, Sales Executive/Officer, etc.

The average tuition fee charged for the course in India ranges between INR 2,000 and 8 Lacs for a span of 3 years. Such microbiologists in India are offered an average annual salary ranging between INR 1.5 and 8 lacs.

Ph.D. in Microbiology: Course Highlights

Listed below are some of the major highlights of the course.

Ph.D. in Microbiology: What is it about?

The course is designed to offer to eligible candidates adequate research training relevant to the present social and economic objectives of the country. Enrolled students are trained to write research reports through a curriculum aimed at augmenting their skills of data presentation in graphical form.

Professionally, such postgraduates have the option of pursuing relevant career opportunities in the food and beverage industry, pharmaceutical industry, toiletry manufacturing, and biotechnology-based companies, research organizations, higher education institutions, and such.

Top Institutes offering Ph.D. in Microbiology

Listed below are some of the top institutes in India that offer the course.

Eigibility for Ph.D. in Microbiology

As a minimum criterion of eligibility, aspiring candidates need to meet the following minimum eligibility criteria:

• Postgraduate degree in a relevant discipline, completed from a recognized university.
• A minimum aggregate score of 55% (50% for SC/ST candidates) at the level of post-graduation.
• At least 5 years of teaching/ industry/ administrative/ professional experience at a senior level.

Ph.D. in Microbiology: Admission Process

For admission to the course, the following parameters apply:

• In cases where the candidate has already qualified an entrance examination for pursuing M.Phil., appearing for an entrance examination for the Ph.D. program is not.
• In cases of some universities, candidates are needed to qualify the all-India level National Eligibility Test (NET) for Lectureship, conducted by the University Grants Commission.
• Candidates are selected on the basis of performance in a round of interview upon qualification of the written test.

Ph.D. in Microbiology: Syllabus and Course Description

A semester-wise breakup of the course’s syllabus is tabulated here.

Ph.D. in Microbiology: Career Prospects

For successful postgraduates of the course, research opportunities abound in areas such as urban disease control, formulation research, clinical research, analytical development, and new drug development. Self-employed microbiologists may set up their own laboratories.

Research in the field of Microbiology finds application in fields like biophysics, science, pharmaceutical, etc.

Some of the popular professional avenues open to such postgraduates are listed below with the corresponding job descriptions and salaries offered for the respective positions.

Candidate applying for Ph. D shall have pass in Master’s Degree in Geoinformatics / Geology / Applied Geology / Marine Geology / Geo-Physics / Geo-Chemistry with a minimum of 55% marks or equivalent Grade Point Average (GPA) or in an examination recognised as equivalent thereto.