A Doctorate Biochemistry course is known as a PhD Biochemistry or Doctor of Philosophy in Biochemistry. It is subjective in nature and directs extensive research. Scholars should submit their ‘thesis’ after completing their doctorate degree, and then they will be awarded the PhD. Biochemistry, also known as biological chemistry, is the study of chemical processes in living organisms, which includes but is not limited to living matter. The program lasts a minimum of two years (three years for external candidates) and a maximum of five to six years from the date of registration. Admission requirements are the same as for regular full-time students in terms of minimum qualifications and other criteria. A Ph.D. is a broad-based course that requires a minimum of course credits and a research thesis. The course’s syllabus is divided into two semesters.
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PhD Biochemistry: An Overview
| Level of Course | Doctorate |
| Also referred as | Doctorate of Philosophy in Biochemistry |
| Duration of Course | 3-5 years |
| Type of Examination | Semester System |
| Eligibility Criteria | 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 |
| Process of Admission | Entrance Based |
| Fee for the Course | INR 10,000 – INR 4,00,000 |
| Average Income | INR 4,00,000 – INR 20,00,000 |
| Top Employment Areas | Drug Manufacturing Companies, Public Health Entities, Cancer research institutes, Research Departments, Educational Institutes, Environmental Pollution Control |
| Job Profiles | 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 Eligibility
- To be admitted to a doctoral programme, you must have a master’s degree. In some fields, completing a Masters in Philosophy (M.Phil.) is required before beginning a Ph.D. programme.
- When M.Phil. candidates are admitted to Ph.D. programmes, they will not be required to take an entrance examination or complete course work, and they will be considered to have met the UGC’s (Minimum standards and procedure for awarding M.Phil./Ph.D. Degree) requirements.
- In other cases, if a candidate has completed an M.Phil. at one university and then transfers to another for a Ph.D., the new university may credit and exempt the previous university’s course work. However, such a candidate will be required to take the same entrance exam as a new candidate who is enrolling in a Ph.D. programme for the first time. This procedure will be followed by candidates who have earned a Ph.D. from a foreign university.
- Some prestigious universities require candidates to pass an all-India level examination, such as the University Grants Commission’s ‘National Eligibility Test’ (NET) for Lectureship. Candidates who are in their final year of a bachelor’s degree are eligible to apply. They must, however, submit attested copies of their qualifying diplomas and final transcripts.
- Admission is granted following an interview held approximately one month prior to the start of the semester for which admission is sought. If necessary, a written test may be added to the interview.
PhD Biochemistry Admission Process
The majority of universities admit PhD Biochemistry students based on their entrance exam scores. The step-by-step procedure is outlined below.
- Step 1: Applicants must fill out and submit an online application form to the desired university, after which they must take an entrance exam.
- Step 2: Applicants must register for the university’s Entrance exam or the common entrance test before the deadline and take the exam.
- Step 3: Those who pass the entrance exam will be invited to an interview/counselling session.
- Step 4: During the interview, applicants will be required to present their research ideas to a panel of experts. The candidates will be chosen by the research panel based on this research idea.
- Step 5: After being accepted into the course, applicants must complete a one-semester course on “Research Methodology,” at the conclusion of which they must submit and defend their research proposal.
PhD Biochemistry: Semester Wise Syllabus
| First Semester | |
| Sr. No. | Subjects of Study |
| 1 | Proteins – Structure, Folding and Engineering |
| 2 | Cell Biology I |
| 3 | Membrane Biology |
| 4 | Molecular Biology I |
| 5 | Recombinant DNA Technology and Applications I |
| 6 | Applications of Proteomics and Metabolomics |
| 7 | Developmental Biology |
| Second Semester | |
| 1 | Enzymes and Techniques in Biochemistry |
| 2 | Cell Biology II (Cellular Signalling) |
| 3 | Immunology and Immuno-techniques |
| 4 | Molecular Biology II |
| 5 | Recombinant DNA Technology and Applications II |
PhD Biochemistry: Preparation Tips
- Keep up to date on registration and examination dates, and submit your application before the deadline.
- Exams should be well-prepared and scheduled ahead of time.
- Keep up with current events and changes in the field of biological sciences.
- Prepare for General Aptitude by learning the basics of reasoning.
PhD Biochemistry: Important Entrance Exams
The majority of top colleges and universities offer admission to PhD Biochemistry programmes based on entrance exams. Below are descriptions of some of the most popular entrance exams for this programme.
- The Indian Institute of Science (IISc) and the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) jointly manage the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) (IIT). It assists students in obtaining admission and/or financial aid for post-graduate or doctoral programs in engineering, technology, architecture, and other fields of science.
- UGC-NET: This exam, which is held twice a year by the National Testing Agency (NTA), aids in obtaining a Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) and/or a position as an Assistant Professor in Indian universitAT: The NTA administers the GPAT, which is used to enroll in master’s and doctoral programmes at all colleges that have been approved by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE).
- The Department of Biotechnology (BET): The Department of Biotechnology, Government of India, administers the eligibility test. Candidates for biotechnology and other life sciences research are chosen based on their BET score. This test is divided into two categories (Category I and Category II).
- NIMHANS: Each year, the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS) hosts a competition for PhD, Post-Doctoral, Post-Graduation, Post-Graduation Diploma, and Superspecialty admissions.
- Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), in collaboration with the National Testing Agency (NTA), offers PhD admission in a variety of specializations.
PhD Biochemistry Important Books to Study
| Book Name | Author’s Name |
|---|---|
| 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 |
PhD Biochemistry Top Institutes
Ranking by NIRF | Name of Institute | Place | Average Fee for the course | Average Salary Per Annum |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Indian Institute of Science | Bangalore | INR 35,200 | INR 15,00,000 |
| 10 | Banaras Hindu University | Varanasi | INR 8,368 | INR 4,50,000 |
| 11 | Calcutta University | Kolkata | INR 8,000 | INR 7,72,000 |
| 34 | Indian Institute of Chemical Technology | Mumbai | INR 64,500 | INR 3,50,000 |
| 49 | Mahatma Gandhi University | Kottayam | INR 33,200 | INR 3,00,000 |
| 51 | Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology | Patiala | INR 1,16,460 | INR 3,75,000 |
| 101-150 | Dr. BabaSaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University | Aurangabad | INR 45,231 | INR 2,75,000 |
| NA | AIIMS | New Delhi | INR 2,045 | INR 7,00,000 |
| NA | Indian Agricultural Research Institute | New Delhi | INR 29,500 | NA |
| NA | JIPMER | Pondicherry | INR 3,000 | INR 11,20,000 |
PhD Biochemistry: Important Areas of Employment
- Educational Institutes
- Clinical Research Labs
- Forensic Science Labs
- Healthcare Sector
- Environmental Agencies
- Govt./Pvt. Hospitals
Important Job Prospects
- Associate Investigator
- Tutor or Teacher
- Research Associate
- Analytical Biochemistry Associate
- R & D Scientist
- Lab/Project Team Leader
- Associate Investigator
- Protein Biochemistry Research Associate
- Assistant Professor
- Lecturer
- Junior Resident
- Lab Manager
- Sales Executive/Officer
- Medical Microbiologist
- Area Sales Manager
PhD Biochemistry Paper Wise Syllabus
| 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 Benefits and Scope
Individuals can also pursue careers in science, which include a variety of research, technical, and related positions in both private and public organizations.
A doctorate degree allows you to keep up with the expanding frontiers of knowledge and provides research training that is relevant to the country’s current social and economic goals.
Individuals can also apply for teaching jobs in colleges if they meet the requirements of the respective institute and the UGC. It helps them learn how to write an effective research report and how to present data graphically.
The scope for PhD Biochemistry candidates is growing because biochemists are in high demand in both the private and public sectors. Biochemistry is, in fact, termed “the science of the future.”
- Biochemist graduates’ careers are expected to improve by 11% between 2018 and 2028, which is higher than the average for all occupations.
- The starting salary for newcomers is around INR 3,00,000 to 4,00,000, and it tends to rise with experience.
- Graduates with at least 5 years of professional experience are paid INR 5 LPA as a starting salary.
- PhD holders who have independently changed current pathological concerns in biochemistry or conducted experiments revolving around restructuring medicine into healthier versions are eligible for high remuneration and excellent job opportunities.
- Graduates with a PhD in Biochemistry can work as educators or continue their biochemistry research, which is a respectable career path.
- Because statistics are heavily studied in biochemical research, scholars are able to obtain high-paying jobs in the medical field’s economics.
- Students are taught how to manage time, data, and resources in order to become valuable research scientists.
- It is subjective in nature, which allows for the design and implementation of experiments on current biological issues.
- A greater chance of landing a job because of the candidate’s skill set.
- Aspirants learn how to gather, assess, and critically evaluate scientific data.
- Possibility of gaining the necessary knowledge and understanding of diseases in order to find a cure.
- Increased job opportunities as a result of problem-solving skills developed and problem-specific medical research.
- Job opportunities in the fields of nutrition and agriculture.
FAQs
While it is not a requirement, students are advised to learn math because it is used in kinetics and thermodynamics, as well as probability and statistics, which are some of the subjects studied during research.
Biochemistry is considered one of the most difficult majors, and pursuing a PhD in the field can be difficult, as experiments must be managed and observed on a regular basis in addition to theoretical knowledge.
Though it is not impossible, it is strongly recommended that aspirants pursue a master’s degree before pursuing a doctorate because the master’s programme includes research methodologies as part of the curriculum.
Because of the extensive research required, becoming a biochemist usually necessitates a PhD. Depending on the relevance of the research objective, one can also qualify to be a lecturer at a prestigious university or obtain a high-ranking position.
A specialisation in biochemistry increases your chances of landing a job and earning top pay.
The interviewer may assess the candidate’s research proposal as well as his or her demonstrated interest and knowledge in the field.
To work in independent research and development positions, biochemists and biophysicists need a Ph. D.
Biochemistry, dubbed “the science of the future,” is rapidly becoming an extremely important subject. Its study can lead to a successful career with more options than many other fields of science because it is the foundation of so much research.