About PhD in Biochemistry

PhD in Biochemistry is a three-year doctoral programme that reveals a previously unrecognised facet of life science through the analysis and interpretation of numerous experimental data. Through a thorough approach to classes on reference resources, as well as mentoring undergraduate students and making contributions to the department journal, this programme aids in the development of research abilities. 

Graduates with a PhD in biochemistry go on to become biochemists, university professors, or researchers who conduct more studies and offer solutions for societal and scientific problems. Genetics, forensics, stem cell research, plant science, bio-organic chemistry, microbiology, medicine, and bioethics are the key subjects covered in the programme. Candidates must submit a research thesis on a biochemistry-related issue at the end of the course, which will be utilised for final grading.

Eligibility Criteria for PhD in Biochemistry

A master's degree from an authorised university with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 55% or a 5.5 CGPA out of 10 is required for applicants to the PhD Biochemistry programme. Students must pass the common entry tests in addition to satisfying the standard PhD in Biochemistry eligibility requirements.

Students with impairments and members of the reserved category may also receive a 5 per cent relaxation. The following list contains the simple requirements for anyone seeking a PhD Biochemistry. It must be emphasised that each institute will have its own eligibility requirements.

Who Should Pursue a PhD in Biochemistry Course?

Candidates who have graduated from an accredited university may apply for the PhD Biochemistry course, which is for students who want to enter the field of biochemists. There is no formal academic prerequisite for entrance into this programme.

Candidates who successfully complete the programme may be able to find employment in prestigious genetics, forensics, stem cell research, plant science, bio-organic chemistry, microbiology, medicine and bioethics. and consulting firms that are constantly on the lookout for PhD Biochemistry graduates. As a result, students will have a variety of employment options after completing this course.

When To Do PhD in Biochemistry Course?

If a student wants to pursue a career in Biochemistry, he or she should begin at the 10+2 level. They must pass their bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Biochemistry from a recognised university.

How To Get Admission for PhD in Biochemistry?

Whether a candidate is admitted in full or in part to the PhD Biochemistry programme depends on how well they perform on the qualifying exam. Whether a candidate is accepted into the programme is determined by how well they perform on an admission exam at the federal, state, or college level. Given that the exam is known for being difficult, enrolling in coaching programmes can help students study the subject.

Additionally, candidates must fulfil the minimal requirements for PhD in Biochemistry admission, which include passing the Biochemistry test and earning a master’s degree in Biochemistry.

Admission to this programme is often determined by a candidate's performance on an entrance exam. Additionally, some universities provide merit-based admittance. Below is a list of the numerous processes that make up the admissions process.

How to Apply?

In preparation for the COVID issue, the majority of institutions are transitioning their admissions processes entirely online. Students must go to the official websites of the universities they are going to in order to begin the application process. Students may also enrol offline by visiting the college of their choosing and submitting an application in person along with the required documentation.

Selection Process

Based on their academic performance in their Biochemistry master’s degree from an accredited university, candidates are chosen in a merit-based selection process. For admission-based selection, students are required to take the entrance exam. Candidates are then qualified for the subsequent stage of admission. The following admissions procedures vary depending on the college.

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.

PhD Biochemistry Paper 1 Syllabus

1. Biotechniques
2. Fundamental Techniques of Genetics
3. Proteins and Nucleic Acids
4. Southern, Western and Northern blot
5. PCR & RT PCR
6. Fluorescence, Circular Dichroism
7. PAGE, SDS PAGE
8. DNA & RNA Sequence Analysis
9. Ultracentrifugation
10. Pharmaco-Genomics
11. Genomics of Prokaryotes & Eukaryotes
12. Subcellular Fractionation
13. Immunoblotting
14. Drug Protein and Nucleic Acid Docking Mechanisms
15. Central Tendency, Dispersion, Variability and Correlation Coefficient
16. Bioinformatics & Biostatistics
17. Protein & Nucleic Acid
18. Computational Sequence Analysis
19. Molecular Biology
20. DNA Techniques
21. Functional Genomics
22. Electron Microscopic Techniques 
23. SEM, TEM Freeze Fracture Technique
24. Electrophoresis
25. Mass Spectrometry
26. Immuno-Electrophoresis

PhD Biochemistry Paper 2 Syllabus

1. Biological Database 
   
2. Sequence Alignment 
3. Molecular Modelling 
4. Molecular Mechanics 
5. Molecular Dynamics 
6. Bioinformatics Applications
7. Bioremediation 
8. Biotransformation 
9. Biodegradation 
10. Effluent Treatment Systems 
11. Water Pollution Monitoring 
12. Plant Cell Culture 
13. Agricultural Microbiology 
14. Microbial Ecology 
15. Environmental Microbiology 
16. Immunology 
17. Medical Microbiology 
18. Fermentation Technology 
19. Enzymes
20. Blood Chemistry

PhD Biochemistry Entrance Exams

• IIT JAM
• VITMEE
• UGC NET

Preparation Tips for PhD in Biochemistry Course

When choosing to pursue a PhD in Biochemistry, students should take a number of things into consideration. The following collection of essential study tips can help students succeed in their studies so they can pass the course and the tests.

Syllabus: The student must fully comprehend the course syllabus. This is the first and most crucial step in the preparation process.

Exam Pattern: Recognize exam structure and the types of questions that are frequently asked. There is a very good chance that the students will be given multiple-choice questions. 

Important topics: Students should focus more on important topics because they are asked about them more frequently. As you read through the chapters, you must keep in mind these sections.  

Practice: Utilize sample exams and test questions from prior years to prepare for questions.

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 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 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:

1. Public Health Organizations
2. Blood Service
3. Cancer Research Institutes
4. Educational Institutions
5. Environmental Pollution Control
6. National Science Foundation
7. Department of Agriculture
8. 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