PhD Zoology Course is a doctoral degree in Zoology that takes at least three years to complete. Zoology is an academic discipline that studies animals, their structural classifications, and the scientific knowledge of their existence in the natural world. In some cases, a Master’s degree in the discipline is required for enrollment, while in others, an M.Phil. in the subject is required. This Doctoral degree program is important and job-oriented, and it opens many doors for people. The course is career-oriented and helps individuals improve their educational values.
It gives television channels like National Geographic, Animal Planet, and Discovery Channel a variety of opportunities. Candidates who complete this Ph.D. course successfully may work as teachers/lecturers in schools and colleges after passing the NET exam. Chemical, pharmacological, and oil firms may also hire such professionals. Various colleges and universities in India offer it on a part-time basis. This course usually lasts three years and is divided into six six-month semesters.
There are several sub-branches in this field, such as:
- Ornithology: Study of birds
- Ichthyology: Study of fish and their habitats
- Mammalogy: Study of mammals.
PhD Zoology- An Overview
| Level of Course | Doctorate |
| Course Duration | 3-5 Years |
| Type of Examination | Semester Based |
| Eligibility Criteria | Post-graduation |
| Process of Admission | Individual’s performance in the interview |
| Fee for the course | INR 2, 000 – 8 Lacs |
| Average Salary | INR 1.5 Lacs- 6 Lacs per annum |
| Top Recruitment Areas | Botanical Gardens, Zoos, Research Laboratories, Aquariums, Animal Clinics, Hospitals, Fisheries and Aquaculture, Wildlife Sanctuaries, National Parks, Museums, Pharmaceutical Companies, Veterinary, etc. |
| Job Profiles | Forensic Expert, Conservationist, Documentary Maker, Animal & Wildlife Educator, Animal Trainer, Lab Technician, Animal Caretaker, Zoo Curator, Animal Breeder, Animal Rehabilitator, Researcher, Animal, Behaviorist, Wildlife Biologist, Veterinarian, ZooKeeper, etc. |
| Relevant Links | ||
|---|---|---|
| Ph.D. (computer Science) | Ph.D. (microbiology) | Ph.D. (biochemistry) |
| Ph.D. (environmental Science) | Ph.D. (botany) | Ph.D. |
PhD Zoology Eligibility Criteria
- A postgraduate degree from a recognized University in a relevant discipline is required.
- A minimum post-graduation aggregate score of 55 percent or equivalent grade.
- Applicants who pass the UGC (NET/JRF)/CSIR (NET/JRF)/ICAR (JRF/SRF) examinations as well as /SLET/GATE/GPAT/ICAR , hold teacher fellowships and are not required to take the Ph.D. entrance exam.
Ph.D. in Zoology Admission Procedure
The applicant must be aware of the requirements of the institution to which he or she is applying. Follow the steps below after completing the college application form.
- Take the relevant written exam.
- There may or may not be a round of personal interviews available.
- The success could be factored into a subsequent qualification review.
- Applicants are shortlisted for a national screening exam based on their academic background and results.
Ph.D. Zoology Examination Pattern
Exam Pattern of top Entrance Exams:
The following is the exam pattern for top Ph.D. Zoology Entrance Exams:
1.) UGC NET Entrance Exam
- Paper 1 is a three-hour exam that is given to all candidates. There are 50 questions in total (single-correct type MCQs) with +2 and 0 negative marking. The paper is worth a total of 100 points.
- Paper 2 is a three-hour subject-specific exam. There are a total of 100 questions (single correct type MCQs) with a +2 and 0 negative marking system. The paper has a total of 200 points
2.) CSIR NET Entrance Exam:
| Section | Questions to attempt/Total Questions | +/- Marks allotted for each Question | Total Marks for each Section |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | 15/20 | +2/-0.5 | 30 |
| B | 35/50 | +2/-0.5 | 70 |
| C | 25/75 | +4/-1 | 100 |
| Total | 75/145 | – | 200 |
Some other important PhD Zoology Entrance Exams are:
- GPAT
- ICAR
- GATE
- ICAR (JRF/SRF)
- SLET
Important Documents required for Admission Process (PhD Zoology)
- Certificate of Migration (No objection certificate from the University last attended)
- Certificate of passing/degree of the most recent qualifying degree examination
- The following is a list of the results of the most recent qualifying degree examination.
- Character certificate (from the director of the Institute where the student received his qualifying degree).
- Proof of date of birth in the form of a document
- Certificate of Gap (if applicable)
- A certificate of no objection from the employer (if employed) is required for the research proposal.
Important: Students should be aware that if the above certificates are not attached to their application, their application will not be considered for admission.
PhD Zoology Syllabus
| First Semester | Second Semester |
|---|---|
| Ecology- is concerned with the interactions of organisms with one another and their environment. | Fisheries and Aquaculture- are concerned with the interactions of organisms with one another and their environment. |
| Endocrinology- the study of the endocrine system of the human body | Genetics and Molecular Biology- dealing with the structure and function of macromolecules and studying heredity |
| Entomology- Insect biology is the study of insects and their interactions with humans, the environment, and other living things. | Immunology- the study of immune systems in all organisms |
| Environmental Biology & Toxicology- a scientific investigation into the health effects of toxic chemical exposure | Wildlife Biology- observing and researching animal behavior |
| – | Stem Cells and Developmental Biology-The study of how animals and plants develop and grow. |
Top Institutes offering a PhD in Zoology
| Institute | City | Process of Admission | Average Annual Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Loyola College | Chennai | Registration through Online Application Portal. | 7,200 |
| Christ University | Bangalore | Admission is offered on the basis of scores in written tests & interviews and performance in academics. | 51,667 |
| Presidency College | Chennai | Admission is offered based on the merit of the Master’s degree. | 2,695 |
| Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda College | Chennai | Admission is offered based on the entrance exam conducted by the University of Madras. | 2,205 |
| Jadavpur University | Kolkata | University conducts its own entrance tests. However, a valid score in CSIR NET or any other national level entrance exam is also considered. The final admission is offered based on the interview. | 2,388 |
| IIT Kanpur | Kanpur | Admission is offered on the basis of the Departmental written test. NET-qualified candidates are eligible for scholarship assistance. | 28,044 |
| The North Cap University | Gurgaon | 60% marks in specialized Masters courses with valid GATE/NET/JRF scorecard is required for admission at this college. | 72,000 |
| Shiv Nadar University | Greater Noida | Shiv Nadar University conducts its own written test and interview to offer admission in Ph.D. programs while CSIR/ UGC NET/ JRF or GATE score holders can also apply. | 1,23,000 |
| BIT Mesra | Ranchi | Admission to Ph.D. is done on the basis of a Ph.D. entrance test conducted by BIT, Mesra followed by an interview round. However, candidates who have qualified UGC- NET/ CSIR NET/ any other national level entrance examination are exempted from the Ph.D. entrance exam. | 59,000 |
| Banaras Hindu University | Varanasi | For admission, a candidate must have passed a Master’s degree in relevant discipline. Admission is done on the basis of marks scored in the Research Entrance Test(RET) conducted by the university. | 6,627 |
PhD Zoology Entrance Preparation
The following is the procedure for preparing for Ph.D. Entrance Exams:
- Investigate the format of the entrance exam.
- Practice during the same time periods as the exam.
- Take a look at the examination’s detailed syllabus.
- Examine the syllabus from your previous degree in depth.
- Prepare notes a week or so before the exam because they are always useful.
PhD Zoology-Job Positions and Areas
| Job Profile | Job Description | Average Salary (Per Annum) |
| Animal Caretaker | An Animal Caretaker is in charge of meeting the needs of animals on a daily basis. Eat, cook, bathe, and exercise regularly for pets and other wild animals. They also work in hotels, zoos, stables, pet shops, veterinarian clinics, and aquariums, among other places. | 3,20,000 |
| Conservationist | Conservationists work with landowners and governments to protect natural resources like soil and water. They assist in the discovery of land-use methods without harming nature or biodiversity. They are also known as Soil and Water Conservationists or Preservation/Conservation Researchers. | 5,80,000 |
| Forensic Expert | Experts in forensic science examine and analyse physical components, as well as the anatomical compositions of wild animals and conduct physical tests. They can function with blood and other organic liquids, hair, body discharge, medicine, strands, paint, and glass. | 6,35,000 |
| Wildlife Biologist | Zoologists and wildlife biologists study and investigate wild animals and other types of biodiversity, and they are linked to their biological populations. The physical essence of species, animal behavior, and humans’ impact on ecosystems and natural environments are all on display. | 8,20,000 |
| ZooKeeper | Zookeepers are responsible for the well-being of the animals in their care. Daily activities with dogs, such as washing, eating, and taking care of their daily physical activity, are frequently taken care of by these administrators. |
NIRF Top PhD Zoology Institutes
| NIRF Rank | Institute Name | Place | Average Fees (Annually) | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | IIT Kanpur | Kanpur | INR 64,050 | INR 10.2 LPA |
| 10 | Banaras Hindu University | Banaras | INR 22,860 | INR 8 LPA |
| 12 | Jadavpur University | Kolkata | INR 2,400 | INR 19.2 LPA |
| 82 | Shiv Nadar University | Greater Noida | INR 1.6 L | INR 7.5 L |
| 85 | BIT Mesra | Ranchi | INR 2 L | INR 11.76 L |
Qualities and Skills associated with PhD Zoology
This course is for students interested in learning about animal behavior, different species and classifications, evolutionary trends, and their existence. This course is ideal for candidates who have experience with data handling skills such as recording, analyzing, and collating data using appropriate techniques and equipment. They should be able to communicate effectively both in writing and verbally, as well as present themselves well. These abilities are crucial because candidates must present research findings and make presentations that are both clear and coherent. Other necessary skills include project management, organizing, planning, and time management, as well as conducting research and experiments. They should have a solid understanding of information technology and the ability to work independently as well as in groups.
PhD Zoology- Scope and Importance
- Candidates who earn a PhD in Zoology can pursue a career as a professor or lecturer in universities or colleges.
- They have the option of working as a biological technician. Their job is to look after the animals, collect data, and look after the animals’ habitat management.
- They can be hired as Wildlife Conservationists, whose job entails preserving the world’s rarest animal and wildlife species.
- Documentary film-making opportunities are available on television channels such as Discovery, National Geographic, Animal Planet, and others.
- National parks, wildlife, zoos, laboratories, animal clinics, museums, and veterinary hospitals are just a few of the places where a zoology student might be hired.
PhD Zoology FAQs
Yes, a Ph.D. is awarded once the original research has been completed and documented in a defended dissertation. This usually takes three to four years.
A Master’s degree in a relevant discipline with at least 55 percent marks (50 percent for SC / ST / PH candidates) or an equivalent grade from a recognized college or university is the basic eligibility criteria for pursuing a Ph. D in Zoology course.
Academic researcher, Academic teacher, Ecologist, Scientific writer, Animal nutritionist, Marine biologist, Environment consultants, etc are some of the many jobs that one can choose from after Ph.D. in Zoology
From 2020 to 2030, the employment of zoologists and wildlife biologists is expected to grow 5%, slower than the average for all occupations. Despite slow job growth, an average of 1,700 openings for zoologists and wildlife biologists are expected each year over the next decade.
The National Eligibility Test (NET), also known as the UGC NET or NTA-UGC-NET, is an examination used in Indian universities and colleges to determine eligibility for assistant professorships and Junior Research Fellowships.
There is no upper age limit for a Ph.D., but it is 28 years for a Junior Research Fellow (JRF)
You can apply for Ph.D. admission at various universities if you have a 55 percent grade in M.Sc. Zoology. If you have a CSIR NET score, you will be given priority over other applicants.
When it comes to finding a job, zoologists may face stiff competition. Internships, summer jobs, and volunteer work experience should improve an applicant’s chances of landing a job.
Because IGNOU (Indira Gandhi National Open University) is a UGC-accredited open university, pursuing a Ph.D. there is acceptable and valid
