PhD Neuroscience - Eligibility, Admission, Syllabus, Institutes, Scope

A PhD in Neuroscience is a doctoral program. The course area combines education in neurology and related disciplines. It is a 3-to-5-year research-based program. This program provides candidates with an integrated view of neuroscience that incorporates the complexities of research.

Neuroscience is a branch of biology that studies the structure, evolution, and function of the nervous system. Although neural science is constantly evolving, it can be divided into cognitive, clinical, computational, and developmental neuroscience branches. It is closely related to other disciplines such as medicine, chemistry, physics, linguistics, computer science, engineering, and philosophy because it is an interdisciplinary science.

Students must have an M.Sc. or M.Phil degree in a relevant discipline from a recognized university with a grade point average of at least 55 percent to be considered for this course.

This course will help you understand how the human brain works and why it works the way it does. You’ll have hands-on sessions analyzing human brain signals in response to various stimuli. You will have to analyse this data and prepare your dissertations accordingly.

Students who complete a PhD in neuroscience have numerous job opportunities both in India and abroad. Students can work as neural engineers, computational neuroscientists, bio-technologists, database and data-bank managers, and so on in places like genetic counseling centers, psychology centers, pharmaceutical companies, and forensic science labs, among other places.

Graduates can work in the pharmaceutical industry, health agencies, information and communication science companies, and public health management structures. Neurologists, neuroanatomists, neurological surgeons, neuro-pharmacologists, psychiatrists, and electro-neuro-diagnostic technicians are all traditional neuroscience careers.

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PhD Neuroscience: An Overview

The following table lists the highlights of the PhD Neuroscience program:

Course Name	PhD Neuroscience
Level of Course	Research level
Duration of Course	3 to 5 years
Eligibility Criteria	Master’s degree in relevant discipline from a recognized university
Process of Admission	Merit/ Entrance-Based + Personal Interview
Average Fees (Annually)	INR 15,000 to 3,20,000
Positions of Job	Computational Neuroscientist, Biotechnologist, Neural Engineer, Database and Databank Manager etc.
Top Areas of Recruitment	Psychology Centres, Pharmaceutical Companies, Genetic Counselling Centres, Forensic Science Labs etc.
Average Salary Per Annum	INR 3,00,000 to 7,00,000

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PhD Neuroscience Eligibility Criteria

The following are the common PhD Neuroscience eligibility criteria that candidates must meet in order to be considered for admission to this program:

• Candidates must have earned a minimum grade of 55 percent in their M.Sc. in Neuroscience or M.Phil. in the relevant field from a recognized university.
• They must have passed the university’s entrance exam for admission to the program, such as PET, JGEEBILS, JEST, NET, and so on.

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PhD Neuroscience Curriculum and Syllabus

Although the PhD in Neuroscience program syllabus varies by college, it generally consists of a few common foundation courses from which students can choose according to their interests.

The following table lists the most common subjects covered in a structured PhD Neuroscience curriculum:

Subjects of Study
Research Methodology – The procedures or techniques used to identify, select, process, and analyse information about a topic are referred to as research methodology.
Advanced study of Genetics and Molecular Biology – Genetics and Molecular Biology is the study of organisms at the molecular and cellular level, and it helps us understand how molecules like DNA, RNA, proteins, lipids, and carbohydrates influence their behavior.
Neuroanatomy and Developmental Neurobiology -Developmental neurobiology is the study of how a few early embryonic cells can develop into a complex nervous system that controls an entire organism.
Neurochemistry -Deal with the study of chemicals that control and influence the physiology of the nervous system, such as neurotransmitters and other molecules like psychopharmaceuticals and neuropeptides.
Nanotechnology and Bioinformatics for Neuroscience – Nanotechnology and bioinformatics research are important in Neuroscience.
Dissertation/ Thesis
Seminar
Project

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PhD Neuroscience Admission Procedure

For admission to PhD Neuroscience courses, the majority of colleges and universities use an entrance-based system.
After passing the entrance exam, the candidate’s research topic, proposal, methodology, and other materials are reviewed, and an interview is scheduled.

Based on Merit

• Submit your application to the colleges and universities where you want to study.
• Perform well on your undergraduate exams, as the results serve as the foundation for the entire admissions process.
• Colleges will release their cutoff lists in due time. Check to see if you are eligible for the course you want to take.
• Visit the college and submit all the required documents if you are eligible.

Based on Entrance

Entrance exams such as JEST, UGC NET, CSIR NET, and others are used by most colleges and universities to admit students to PhD Neuroscience programs.

The following is a step-by-step procedure for entrance-based admission:

Step 1:The first step is for students to register on the official website.
Step 2: Complete the application form with accurate information.
Step 3: Following the examination, the website will post a cutoff list. Candidates will then be assigned seats based on their entrance exam scores.
Step 4: For admission to this course, some colleges conduct personal interviews and group discussions.
Step 5: If a student meets all of the eligibility requirements, he or she will be offered admission to the course.

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PhD Neuroscience: NIRF Ranking of Institutes

Ranking by NIRF	Institute Name	Process of Admission	Average Fees (Annually)	Average Salary Per Annum
2	IISc, Bangalore	Entrance-Exam followed by Interview	INR 35,200	INR 7,00,000
11	University of Calcutta, Kolkata	Entrance-Exam followed by Interview	INR 47,800	INR 6,54,000
14	MAHE, Manipal	Entrance-Exam followed by Interview	INR 59,000	INR 5,25,000
63	Amity University, Noida	Entrance-Exam followed by Interview	INR 1,00,000	INR 4,50,000
—	OPJS University, Churu	Merit-Based	INR 85,000	INR 5,26,000

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PhD in Neuroscience: Important Entrance Exams

For admission to a PhD neuroscience program, there are numerous national and state-level entrance exams to take. Some of the most popular PhD neuroscience entrance exams are listed below.

• GATE: The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) is a national-level exam held jointly by the Indian Institute of Science and the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) to select candidates for PhD degree jobs or lectureships in Indian universities and colleges.

• UGC NET: The National Testing Agency administers the University Grants Commission’s National Eligibility Test (UGC NET). Admission to the various doctorate-level courses is granted to qualified candidates. This test is also used to determine whether or not a candidate is eligible for a JRF or Assistant Professor position in colleges and universities.

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PhD Neuroscience: Preparation Plan

The PhD Neuroscience entrance exam syllabus will differ from one college to the next. The following are some of the most important tips that students can use to succeed on entrance exams:

• Examine the written test’s detailed syllabus, begin studying it, and review your concepts.
• Develop a reading habit, whether it’s a newspaper, novel, books, biographies, or case studies, to help you pass entrance exams.
• One of the most important aspects of cracking entrance exams is time management, which applies not only to the study schedule but also to the number of exams attempted.
• By practicing sample papers and mock test papers, you will be confident in your ability to manage your time by the time your entrance exam begins.
• The golden rule for passing entrance exams is to practice. Ascertain that your concepts are clear and that you are aware of all of the appropriate methods for answering questions within the time limit.
• Begin with the fundamentals and work your way up to more advanced and difficult concepts.
• The college selects candidates based on their performance on the respective entrance exams, which are followed by an interview.
• To get into a good PhD neuroscience college, taking the UGC NET exam is the best way to go, and for some colleges, the UGC NET is also a good way to go.
• A few private institutes offer the course, which allows students to be admitted based on their performance in a relevant entrance exam followed by a round of personal interviews.
• Candidates must perform well on the respective entrance exams in order to gain admission to a good college for a PhD neuroscience program.
• Candidates should devote time and effort to the entrance exam and be prepared for a personal interview.
• They should be well-versed in their research topic so that their research idea can impress the interview panel.

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PhD Neuroscience and PhD Microbiology

PhD Neuroscience studies how the human body fights infections, whereas PhD Microbiology studies microorganisms.

For more comparison information, see the table below:

Basis of Comparison	PhD Neuroscience	PhD Microbiology
Highlight	The PhD Neuroscience course provides students with an integrated view of neuroscience that includes the complexities of research.	This program covers aspects of microorganism biochemistry, physiology, and genetics. This program is designed to prepare students for a successful career in Microbiology.
Duration of the Course	3 to 5 years	3 to 5 years
Eligibility	Master’s degree in relevant discipline from a recognized university	Postgraduate degree with minimum 55% marks aggregate.
Type of Examination	Annual/ Semester	Annual/ Semester
Process of Admission	Entrance + Personal Interview	Entrance/ Merit-Based followed by Interview
Average Annual Fee	INR 15,000 to 3,20,000	INR 20,000 to 3,00,000
Positions of Job	Computational Neuroscientist, Biotechnologist, Neural Engineer,Database and Databank Manager, etc.	Medical Technologist, Laboratory Scientist,Laboratory Technologist, Lecturer, Technical Specialist etc.
Average Salary Per Annum	INR 3,00,000 to 8,00,000	INR 8,00,000 to 16,00,000

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PhD Neuroscience: Focus Areas

The following is information and details about the PhD Neuroscience program.

• The study of aspects related to neurology and its other disciplines is included in the field of neuroscience.
• This course examines biology, which is a field that encompasses life sciences, ancillary sciences, biochemistry, and health sciences.
• Candidates with a doctorate in neuroscience can improve their communication, analysis, and diagnosis skills for serious illnesses.
• The program covers aspects of neuroscience, giving them the skills to conduct research on serious illnesses as well as the ability to work independently, interpret data, and develop hypotheses in order to find a cure.
• Students will gain experience writing reports, improve their writing skills, and effectively express complex ideas in this course. They are also skilled at recording and analyzing data, as well as instilling in them the ability to perform MRI and spectroscopy, as well as experimental design.
• This course’s curriculum is designed to equip students with the skills necessary to disseminate information and conduct research.
• The course teaches candidates how to become skilled researchers and neuroscientists.

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PhD Neuroscience: Important Skills Required

• a keen interest in how the nervous system functions in all aspects and what goes wrong when it malfunctions, such as in neuropsychiatric diseases
• strong research design, implementation, and analysis skills, including lab work
• strong communication skills for interacting with research participants and their families, as well as industry clients
• To contribute to journals, magazines, or manuals, you’ll need to have scientific writing skills.
• a desire to improve your computer and programming skills, as well as embrace statistical methods and mathematical analysis when dealing with data
• Patience is required due to the slow pace of research.
• ability to work independently as well as in groups and across disciplines
• excellent time management and organisation abilities
• the desire to read scientific research in order to stay current with your knowledge and to inform your own work.

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PhD Neuroscience: Top Academic Institutions

The table below lists the top PhD neuroscience schools and universities that offer full-time programs.

Ranking by NIRF	Institute	Process of Admission	Average Fees (Annually)	Average Salary Per Annum
2	IISc, Bangalore	Entrance-Exam followed by Interview	INR 35,200	INR 7,00,000
11	University of Calcutta, Kolkata	Entrance-Exam followed by Interview	INR 47,800	INR 6,54,000
14	MAHE, Manipal	Entrance-Exam followed by Interview	INR 59,000	INR 5,25,000
63	Amity University, Noida	Entrance-Exam followed by Interview	INR 1,00,000	INR 4,50,000
—	OPJS University, Churu	Merit-Based	INR 85,000	INR 5,26,000
—	SRHU, Dehradun	Merit-Based	INR 90,000	INR 6,78,000
—	Era University, Lucknow	Entrance exam followed by Interview	INR 50,000	INR 6,57,000

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PhD Neuroscience: Important Documents Required

• Documentary proof of the date of birth
• Research Proposal:
• No objection certificate from the employer (if employed)
• passing/degree certificate of the last qualifying degree examination.
• Mark-list of the last qualifying degree examination
• Gap certificate (if applicable)
• Migration Certificate (No objection certificate from the university last attended)
• A character certificate (from the head of the institute from which the student has obtained his qualifying degree)

Students should be aware that if the aforementioned certificates are not attached to their application, their application will not be taken into account for admission.

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PhD Neuroscience: A Comparison among Institutes

The table below shows the comparison between India’s three best PhD neuroscience colleges.

Basis of Comparison	IISc Bangalore	University of Calcutta, Kolkata
Highlight	Jamsetji Nusserwanji Tata founded the Indian Institute of Science in 1909, and it currently offers Undergraduate, Postgraduate, and Doctoral programs.	The University of Calcutta is a public state university in Kolkata, West Bengal, that offers a wide range of undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs.
Ranking by NIRF	2	11
Place	Bangalore	Kolkata
Eligibility	Hold a Master’s degree in relevant discipline from a recognized university	Hold a Master’s degree in relevant discipline from a recognized university
Process of Admission	Entrance-Based followed by Interview	Entrance-Based followed by Interview
Average Annual Fees	INR 35,200	INR 47,800
Average Salary Per Annum	INR 7,00,000	INR 6,54,000
Positions of Job	Neural Engineer, Computational Neuroscientist, Biotechnologist, Database and Databank Manager etc.	Neural Engineer, Computational Neuroscientist, Biotechnologist, Database and Databank Manager etc.

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PhD Neuroscience: Top Job Profiles

A candidate with a degree in this field has a wide range of job opportunities. Working for the government, private organisations, and a variety of other sectors will be simple for them. They can also teach in colleges or universities as professors or lecturers.

• PhD Neuroscience graduates can work in fields such as Public Health Sciences, Genetic Counseling Centers, Psychology Centers, Pharmaceutical Companies, Forensic Science Labs, Mental Health Sciences, and as professors at prestigious universities and colleges.
• PhD holders in neuroscience seek jobs as psychophysicists, neurologists, bio-technologists, neuropathologists, community mental health workers, and researchers, among other fields.

The following table lists some of the most common PhD neuroscience job profiles and career prospects following completion of the course:

Role of Job	Description of Job	Average Salary Per Annum
Neurophysiologist	A Neurologist’s job entails treating a variety of nervous system disorders, as well as diagnosing and monitoring them.	INR 5,70,000
Neural Engineer	A Neural Engineer’s job entails creating systems, artificial devices, and organs to replace body parts, as well as assessing their safety and effectiveness.	INR 6,75,000
Computational Neuroscientist	A Computational Neuroscientist’s job is to monitor the images on a computer in order to study the brain’s condition.	INR 4,25,000
Biotechnologist	A Biotechnologist’s job entails conducting and monitoring experiments, as well as analyzing, researching, and developing procedures.	INR 6,00,000
Neurologist	A Neurologist is a doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating brain disorders.	INR 4,88,000

Some other important areas of employment are

• The Database and Databank Manager
• A bio-technologist
• Psychology Centers
• Genetic Counselling Centers
• Forensic Science Labs
• Computational Neuroscientist
• Neural Engineer
• Pharmaceutical Companies

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PhD Neuroscience: Benefits and Scope

The pursuit of a PhD in neuroscience will be determined by the aspirations and goals of each individual. The following are some of the advantages and perks of pursuing a PhD in neuroscience degree program:

• Open ways to various professions and more lucrative positions: A PhD degree is required for a large number of positions. A PhD may earn you a higher salary, but it is not necessary. For example, you can be an advisor without a PhD, but having one gives you a significant advantage.
• It will boost your confidence. When you pursue a PhD, you will essentially be working alone, making your own decisions, and grappling with the outcomes of your research. In an ideal situation, you would also have a strong tutor and lab-mates, but this is not always the case. 
• You’ll get five years of extraordinary research experience. A small percentage of the population can claim to have worked in a lab in some capacity, let alone for 5.5 years on their own. This experience will teach you about the scientific cycle and, if done correctly, will open you up to important exploration abilities for the seat and the past.
• After completing this course, students can expect to earn between INR 3,00,000 and INR 7,00,000 per year on average.
• Students who complete this course will be able to work in a variety of settings, including genetic counseling centers, psychology centers, pharmaceutical companies, and forensic science labs, among others.
• Students may choose to teach in colleges or universities after completing this course and passing the UGC-NET exam, which is required to become a permanent lecturer.
• After completing this program, they can find work in genetic counseling centers, psychology centers, pharmaceutical companies, and forensic science labs, among other places.
• A D.Sc. (Doctor of Science) degree in any related field is also an option for students.
• Neurologists can work in both government and private hospitals after gaining sufficient experience in the field.
• After completing your PhD, you may be eligible for a position as a neuroscience lecturer, as well as teaching in colleges and universities with UGC scales.

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FAQs