PhD Biochemistry is a research-based course which studies living organisms on a molecular level and involves a deep study of biomolecules. This advanced degree incorporates various fields of biological sciences such as genetics, forensics, medicine, plant science, and microbiology. It comprises several seminars, project works, and research in scientific laboratories.
It takes a minimum of three years to complete the PhD Biochemistry course, but can be stretched upto 5 years, depending on the duration of research. Research can be done independently under the supervision of a faculty member, or the candidate may conduct research as a part of a research group.
To be eligible for PhD Biochemistry, a candidate must complete a postgraduate degree in Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Microbiology or any other related fields with minimum 55% aggregate marks. Further eligibility is decided through marks scored in entrance exams and the consequent interview.
The admission to PhD Biochemistry course is on the basis of marks scored in entrance exams. Some of the most common entrance exams for this course are GATE, UGC-NET, CSIR-UGC-NET, etc. Some colleges also conduct Personal Interview and Written Test after Entrance Exams for final shortlisting of candidates.
Some of the common subjects offered while pursuing a PhD in Biochemistry are Experimental Design and Measurements, Biomedical Product Development, Applied Statistics in Biomedical Sciences.
Average course fee for PhD Biochemistry ranges from INR 10,000 to INR 2,00,000 per annum.
The most presumed job opportunities available after attaining a PhD Biochemistry are Research Scientist, Toxicologist, Pharmaceutical Consultant, Molecular Biologist, and Biomedical Engineer.
The average salary offered to a PhD Biochemistry graduate lies between INR 4,00,000 - INR 20,00,000, which may increase upon the added years of experience.
If the candidates wish to study further, they can earn a DSc degree in this domain. But, they will have to do a minimum of 5 years of research after PhD in order to attain the DSc degree.
PhD Biochemistry Course Highlights
The major highlights of the PhD Biochemistry course like Eligibility, Admission Process, Fees, Salary, etc have been tabulated in the table given below.
| Course Level | Doctorate |
| Full Form | Doctorate of Philosophy in Biochemistry |
| Duration | 3-5 years |
| Examination Type | Semester System |
| Eligibility | Master's degree in Biochemistry or its specialization or M. Phil. in Biochemistry with an aggregate of 55% marks or a 5.5 CGPA out of 10 |
| Admission Process | Entrance Based |
| Course Fee (INR) | INR 10,000 - INR 4,00,000 |
| Average Salary (INR) | INR 4,00,000 - INR 20,00,000 |
| Top Recruiting Companies | Drug Manufacturing Companies, Public Health Entities, Cancer research institutes, Research Departments, Educational Institutes, Environmental Pollution Control |
| Job Positions | Analytical Chemist, Biomedical Scientist, Healthcare Scientist, Clinical Biochemist, Clinical Research Associate, Forensic Scientist, Physician Associate, Research Scientist (Life Sciences), Scientific Laboratory Technician, Toxicologist |
PhD Biochemistry: What is it About?
- Phd in Biochemistry is a 3-year doctorate course through which an undiscovered side of life science is unraveled after analysing and interpreting various experimental data.
- This program helps develop research skills through an extensive approach towards courses related to reference materials, and also by mentoring undergraduate students and contributing to the department journal.
- Graduates with a PhD in Biochemistry become biochemists, college professors or researchers to further experiment and provide solutions pertaining to science and society.
- The curriculum mainly includes genetics, forensics, stem cell research, plant science, bio-organic chemistry, microbiology, medicine and bioethics.
- At the end of the course, the candidates will have to submit a research thesis on a relevant topic of Biochemistry which will be used for final evaluation.
- Students are trained to be valuable research scientists by learning to manage time, data and resources.
- It is subjective in nature and hence, gives opportunities to design and implement experiments concerning present qualms in biology.
- Higher scope of acquiring a job through the competency possessed by the candidate.
- Aspirants acquire skills like sourcing, assessing and critically evaluating scientific data.
- Opportunity to get required knowledge and understanding of diseases and find a cure.
- Increased opportunities to acquire a job due to problem-solving skills developed and problem-specific research in the medical field.
- Availability of job options in the field of nutrition and agriculture.
PhD Biochemistry Admission Process
Most of the Universities grant admission to PhD Biochemistry on the basis of Entrance Exam Scores. The stepwise process has been discussed below.
- Step 1: Candidates should fill/submit an application form online to the desired university, after which the candidate will opt for an entrance exam.
- Step 2: Students need to register for the Entrance exam conducted by the university or the common entrance test before the deadline, and attend the exam.
- Step 3: Candidates qualifying the entrance exam will be selected for an interview/counselling.
- Step 4: During the interview, the candidates will have to present their research ideas in front of a research panel. The research panel will select the candidates on the basis of this research idea.
- Step 5: After selection for the course, candidates are required to do a one-semester course work on "Research Methodology" by the end of which the candidate should submit and defend their research proposal.
PhD Biochemistry Eligibility Criteria
A candidate must fulfill the following eligibility criteria to become eligible for the PhD Biochemistry course.
- A candidate must complete a Master's degree in Biochemistry or its related subjects with an aggregate of 55% marks or a 5.5 CGPA out of 10.
- Candidates with MPhil degree in Biochemistry are also allowed.
- Candidates with a master's degree in Pharmacy or Technology (M Pharm or MTech), or a bachelor's degree program of more than a duration of 4 years like MBBS and BDS will also be considered eligible for this course.
- Candidates belonging to SC/ST/OBC (non-creamy layer), differently abled, and other categories shall get a relaxation of 5% of marks.
PhD Biochemistry Entrance Exams
Some of the important dates related to these exams are given in the table below.
| Entrance Exam | Exam Dates |
|---|---|
| IIT JAM | Check Here |
| VITMEE | Check Here |
| UGC NET | To be Announced |
Apart from these, some universities conduct their own entrance examinations which contenders must attend. Each university has set their own pattern of question paper. However, most tests are held for a duration of 3 hours and have a maximum score of 100.
How to Prepare for Entrance Exams?
Though, each university has its own format, the most general form of question paper is described in the table below:
| Section | Marks in each section | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| MCQ | Descriptive | ||
| General Aptitude | 15 | 30 | 45 |
| Chemistry | 10 | 15 | 25 |
| Subject-specific : Biochemistry | 10 | 20 | 30 |
Some of the important tips to prepare for Entrance Exams are given below:
- Students are advised to prepare for the exams in advance.
- Make a plan on the order in which the subjects can be approached.
- Get thorough practice through mock tests by making use of practice papers and previous year question papers.
- Refer from books related to the subjects/topics asked in the exam.
- Various study materials are available online and as hard copies in bookstores.
Read more on GATE Question Pattern
Students can also follow the below mentioned Reference Books which may help them in preparing better for these exams:
| Book | Author |
|---|---|
| Biochemistry & Molecular Biology of Plants | Buchanan Et Al |
| Lehninger Principles of Biochemistry | Nelson & Cox |
| Biochemistry | D. Friedfider |
| The Cell: A Molecular Approach | G. M. Cooper |
| Plant Molecular Biology | Gilmartin & Bowler |
How to get Admission in a Good College?
- Be updated about the dates of registration and examination, and apply before the deadline.
- Prepare well and in advance for the exams.
- Always be aware about current affairs and changes in the world of biological sciences.
- Prepare for General Aptitude by acquiring basic knowledge about language, reasoning and calculations.
- Make sure to exercise the necessary skills for the interview/counselling session held after the exams.
PhD Biochemistry Syllabus
The course work to be done in a university for research in a discipline during PhD Biochemistry is given after the candidate is selected.
Nonetheless, some of the common subjects to learn while earning a PhD in Biochemistry are Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, Immunology and Immunotechniques, and Enzymes and Techniques in Biochemistry.
The paper-wise syllabus is followed below.
| Paper 1 | Paper 2 |
|---|---|
| Biotechniques | Biological Database |
| Fundamental Techniques of Genetics | Sequence Alignment |
| Proteins and Nucleic Acids | Molecular Modelling |
| Southern, Western and Northern blot | Molecular Mechanics |
| PCR & RT PCR | Molecular Dynamics |
| Fluorescence, Circular Dichroism | Bioinformatics Applications |
| PAGE, SDS PAGE | Bioremediation |
| DNA & RNA Sequence Analysis | Biotransformation |
| Ultracentrifugation | Biodegradation |
| Pharmaco-Genomics | Effluent Treatment Systems |
| Genomics of Prokaryotes & Eukaryotes | Water Pollution Monitoring |
| Subcellular Fractionation | Plant Cell Culture |
| Immunoblotting | Agricultural Microbiology |
| Drug Protein and Nucleic Acid Docking Mechanisms | Microbial Ecology |
| Central Tendency, Dispersion, Variability and Correlation Coefficient | Environmental Microbiology |
| Bioinformatics & Biostatistics | Immunology |
| Protein & Nucleic Acid | Medical Microbiology |
| Computational Sequence Analysis | Fermentation Technology |
| Molecular Biology | Enzymes |
| DNA Techniques | Blood Chemistry |
| Functional Genomics | --- |
| Electron Microscopic Techniques | --- |
| SEM, TEM Freeze Fracture Technique | --- |
| Electrophoresis | --- |
| Mass Spectrometry | --- |
| Immuno-Electrophoresis | --- |
PhD Biochemistry Top Colleges
Below are a few colleges, approved by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), providing a PhD in Biochemistry.
| Name of College | City | Average Course Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Indian Institute of Science (IISc) | Bangalore | INR 35,200 |
| Banaras Hindu University (BHU) | Varanasi | INR 8,368 |
| Calcutta University (CU) | Kolkata | INR 8,000 |
| Institute of Chemical Technology | Mumbai | INR 64,500 |
| Mahatma Gandhi University (MGU) | Kottayam | INR 33,200 |
| Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology | Patiala | INR 1,16,460 |
| Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University | Aurangabad | INR 45,231 |
| AIIMS | New Delhi | INR 2,045 |
| Indian Agricultural Research Institute | New Delhi | INR 29,500 |
| JIMPER | Pondicherry | INR 3,000 |
Source: College Websites
PhD Biochemistry College Comparison
In order to give an idea about the best colleges offering A PhD in Biochemistry, the following table shows their financial figures and merits.
| Parameters | Indian Institute of Science | Banaras Hindu University | Institute of Chemical Technology |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overview | Indian Institute of Science (IISc) is one of the most prestigious higher education institutes in India, focusing especially on the Science and Technology field. It concentrates more on providing research based courses which are highly renowned all around the world. It has been ranked under top colleges category by many reputed ranking agencies across the world. | Banaras Hindu University is one of the largest residential Deemed universities in Asia. It is one of the oldest educational institutions in India, and was founded by Shri Madan Mohan Malaviya. It provides UG, PG and Doctoral courses across various disciplines including Engineering, Medical, Management, Journalism, Science, Arts and Commerce. | Institute of Chemical Technology Mumbai is a deemed university which was established by the Department of Chemical Technology. It focuses on all types of Chemistry related fields. It offers UG, PG and PhD courses in various streams related to Chemical Technology. |
| Location | Bangalore | Varanasi | Mumbai |
| NIRF Ranking 2020 | 2 | 10 | 34 |
| Average Course Fee | INR 35,200 | INR 8,268 | INR 64,500 |
| Average Placement Package | INR 15,00,000 | INR 4,50,000 | INR 3,50,000 |
| Top Recruiting Companies | IBM, Amazon, Tata Steel, Myntra, Goldman Sachs, Samsung, Exide, AMDA, Microsoft, TCS, ABB, etc. | Infosys, Tech Mahindra, Wipro, Bosch, DHL, Amazon, HDFC, ICICI Bank, etc. | BPCL, Reliance Industries, L&T, PepsiCo, etc. |
Source: College Websites
PhD Biochemistry vs PhD Biotechnology
PhD Biotechnology encompasses various applications of technology in biological systems, while Biochemistry is the study of the chemistry of biological systems. Both courses are very similar including its job opportunities and scope, but they have some differences which are tabulated below.
| Parameters | PhD Biochemistry | PhD Biotechnology |
|---|---|---|
| Qualification | Doctorate of Philosophy in Biochemistry | Doctorate of Philosophy in Biotechnology |
| Overview | Biochemistry involves the study of Biomolecules, their properties, physiological significance, source of production, reaction, and function. | This course is a research based course where researchers want to discover new bio-organic materials from pre-existing organisms using various processes of Biotechnology. |
| Duration | 3-5 years | 3-5 years |
| Eligibility | Master's degree in Biochemistry or its specialization or in related discipline or M. Phil. in Biochemistry with an aggregate of 55% marks or a 5.5 CGPA out of 10. | Master's degree in Biotechnology or its specialization or in related discipline or M. Phil. in Biochemistry with an aggregate of 55% marks or a 5.5 CGPA out of 10. |
| Course Objective | Research-based program involving the study of microbiology, biotechnology, chemistry. | Research-based program involving the study of biology in relation to technology. |
| Average Course Fee | INR 30,000 - INR 4,00,000 | INR 50,000 - INR 4,00,000 |
| Average Salary Package | INR 4,00,000 - INR 20,00,000 | INR 4,00,000 - INR 20,00,000 |
| Job Positions | Analytical Chemist, Biomedical Scientist, Healthcare Scientist, Clinical Biochemist, Clinical Research Associate, Forensic Scientist, Physician Associate, Research Scientist (Life Sciences), Scientific Laboratory Technician, Toxicologist | Analytical Chemist, Biomedical Scientist, Healthcare Scientist, Clinical Biochemist, Clinical Research Associate, Forensic Scientist, Physician Associate, Research Scientist (Life Sciences), Scientific Laboratory Technician, Toxicologist |
Source: College Websites
Also, go through the full list of top PhD Biotechnology Colleges in India.
PhD Biochemistry Job Prospects and Career Options
Occupations in various domains can be achieved with a PhD in Biochemistry and even a higher pay with a specialization.
Some of the well-liked professional areas of employment in the public sector include:
- Public Health Organizations
- Blood Service
- Cancer Research Institutes
- Educational Institutions
- Environmental Pollution Control
- National Science Foundation
- Department of Agriculture
- Patent Law Organizations
Private sectors offering employment:
- Drug Manufacturing Companies
- Industrial Laboratories
- Private Health Organizations
- Cosmetics Companies
- Sales and Marketing Firms
- Food and Drinks Establishments
The most popular job profiles have been listed in the table below.
| Job Position | Description | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Research Scientist | Plan and carry out experiments and investigations in a range of scientific areas such as Geoscience, Medical Research, Meteorology and Pharmacology. | INR 12,00,000 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologist | Conduct experiments on bacteria, viruses, and microorganisms to know their pathological effects and benefits. May perform tests analyse levels of compounds in human blood, monitor growth of bacteria, and examine the effects of drugs on viruses | INR 4,80,000 |
| Biochemistry Educator | Teach undergraduates on the subject of biochemistry while pursuing further research and contributing to journals | INR 9,65,000 |
| Medical Research Scientist | Clinical work where scientists interact with patients in a medical facility bridging the gap between research and clinical medicine, and give advancements in therapeutic treatments. | INR 4,00,000 |
| Senior Scientist | Senior Scientists are responsible for all the research works being conducted in a research organisation. Also, they are responsible for finding new scopes of research and training their fellow researchers for the same. | INR 8,00,000 |
| Molecular Biologist | A scientist who concentrates in researching the various biomolecules, their formation, structure, function and properties. | INR 5,00,000 |
| Clinical Biochemist | Clinical Biochemists research on the various medicines and find new scope of producing new kinds of medicines. | INR 4,00,000 |
Source: Payscale and Glassdoor
PhD Biochemistry Future Scope
The scope for PhD Biochemistry candidates is growing because Biochemists are required in high demand in both private and public sectors. Biochemistry is, in fact, termed as "science of the future".
- Careers of biochemists graduates are expected to upgrade by 11% from 2018 to 2028, which is higher compared to the average of other jobs.
- For beginners, the starting salary is around INR 3,00,000 to 4,00,000 and tends to increase with experience.
- Graduates with at least 5 years of professional experience get a starting salary of INR 5 LPA.
- High remuneration and excellent job possibilities, such as specialist jobs in the medical sector, are open to PhD holders who have brought changes to the current pathological concerns in biochemistry or have done experiments revolving around restructuring medicine into healthier versions independently.
- Graduates holding a PhD in Biochemistry may become educators, and further extend their research in biochemistry, which is also a respectable career option.
- Since statistics is studied substantially in biochemical research, scholars acquire high-earning jobs in the economic aspects of the medical field.
PhD Biochemistry FAQs
Ques. What is asked during the interview/counselling session while enrolling for PhD?
Ans. The interviewer may test the shown interest and knowledge in the specified field, and assess the research proposal put forward by the candidate.
Ques. Is PhD in Biochemistry necessary?
Ans. A PhD is typically required to become a biochemist due to the intensive research involved. Also, one becomes qualified to be a lecturer at a renowned university, or acquire a post of high designation, depending on the relevance of the research objective.
Ques. Is specialization in biochemical research better than a normal PhD in Biochemistry?
Ans. Chances of securing a job, along with a top pay, is higher with a specialization in biochemistry.
Ques. Can a PhD exceed the 3-year limit?
Ans. PhDs can take up to 7 years. Most PhD in Biochemistry programs can take 3-5 years to be completed. If it is not accomplished by the end of the third year, a special request can be placed to the research committee of the respective institution and depending on the contender's competency, a permission for extension may be granted.
Ques. Does the knowledge of mathematical subjects matter for research in biochemistry?
Ans. While it is not a prerequisite, students are advised to gain mathematical skill since it has applications in kinetics and thermodynamics, as well as probability and statistics, which are some subjects taken into study during research.
Ques. Is PhD in Biochemistry hard?
Ans. Biochemistry is said to be one of the hardest majors and pursuing a PhD for the same can be hard, since experiments have to be managed and observed on a regular basis besides acquiring theoretical knowledge.
Ques. Can PhD in Biochemistry after a bachelor's degree be achieved easily?
Ans. Though it is not impossible, aspirants are strongly advised to take a master's degree before going for a doctorate as the master's program includes research methodologies as a part of curriculum.
Ques. What are the skills required to study PhD in Biochemistry?
Ans. Laboratory skills, skills in analysing and interpreting data, and diligence are major prerequisites together with IT skills since most laboratories are computerised.
Ques. Can a PhD Biochemistry holder become a doctor?
Ans. After taking a PhD, a person may become a pharmacist after which they can apply to medical school to become a doctor, though it will require extensive training.
Ques. Can PhD in Biochemistry be disadvantageous?
Ans. Being a biochemist can be hazardous to health as it requires handling dangerous chemicals that can cause injuries and may infect the bloodstream. Hence, a highly meticulous characteristic is necessary for researchers.
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