Doctor of Philosophy or PhD Physics is a 3-year doctorate program that is considered an ideal degree for students who want to pursue a full-time period of independent research which equips students with research skills and specialist knowledge.
The PhD Physics course consists of research-based subjects that are performed practically. The course covers subjects such as Quantum Optics and Laser Physics, Matter Physics, Solid State Physics, and Materials Science, High Energy Physics, Nonlinear Optics, and Electronic Science.
The basic eligibility for PhD Physics course admission is Bachelor’s Degree, M.Phil. degree or MSc in Physics or Material Science with a minimum of 60% aggregate score. Apart from merit, the admissions process also includes various entrance exams like CSIR/UGC-JRF, CSIR/UGC, JEST/GATE for PhD Physics courses.
Loyola College, Christ University, Chandigarh University, Fergusson College, Jadavpur University, IIT Kanpur, etc are some of the top colleges offering full-time PhD Physics courses in India. The average annual fees to study a full-time program is around INR 2,000 - 5 lakhs
However, PhD distance education is not valid anymore as per the UGC, a PhD degree from IGNOU will still be recognized. The average annual fees for a distance PhD Physics program ranges from INR 15,000 - 20,000.
PhD Physics being one of the best professional courses is the reason for its popularity among the research aspirants these days. There are plenty of PhD courses, but every year a large number of students are seen to get enrolled in the Physics department.
Career options are huge in the industry sector after completing a PhD Physics. Major job profiles are Physics Professor, Physicist, Research Scientist, Biophysicist, Natural Science Managers, Petroleum Engineers, Researcher, Subject Matter Expert, Nanotechnologist, etc.
The average Phd Physics salary can be around INR 2 LPA - 20 LPA in various sectors like Education, Research, Labs, Healthcare, Medical, Pharmaceutical, Electronics, Marketing, etc.
PhD Physics: Course Highlights
| Course Level | Doctorate |
| Full Form | Doctorate of Philosophy in Physics |
| Duration | 3 years |
| Examination Type | Semester System |
| Eligibility | Post-graduation |
| Admission Process | Entrance Based & Merit Based |
| Course Fee | INR 2,000 to 6 lakhs |
| Average Placement Package | INR 2 - 20 LPA |
| Top Recruiters | CSIR-National Physical Laboratory of India, ITM Group of Institutes, Amity University, Manipal University, Physical Research Laboratory, Solid State Physics Laboratory, IISC Bangalore, IIIT Hyderabad, UBS, Amazon, Indian Institute of Science, Physical Research Laboratory PRL Thaltej Campus, etc |
| Job Positions | Researcher, Scientist, Physicist, Lecturer & Professor, Author & Writer, Journalist, Editor & Critic, Human Services Worker, Independent Consultant, Philosophical Journalist, Industrial R&D Lab professionals, Senior Research Scientist, etc. |
PhD Physics: What is it About?
Read below points to know what PhD Physics is all about-
- PhD Physics course equips candidates for research, subject matter experts in any specific field of their interest, and also opens career scopes for them in many areas.
- The PhD Physics course equips you with advanced study in Physics and is specialized in disciplines such as Atomic and Condensed Matter Physics, Laser Physics, Particle Physics, etc.
- The PhD Physics course can only be pursued full time as a part-time degree is not recognized anymore as per the UGC norms. However, one can obtain a distance degree from IGNOU if properly followed the guidelines.
- The duration of the PhD Physics course is 3 years for students seeking jobs in this sector.
- After completion of a PhD Physics, candidates can seek jobs in educational, healthcare, pharmaceutical, research sectors, etc.
- The major skills required to pursue PhD are good research conducting skills, collaborative findings, analytical skills, etc.
- PhD Physics will provide knowledge about conducting research in the corporate or academic sector.
- This course will help develop knowledge of students about the natural laws in optics, classical and quantum mechanics, and electricity and magnetism, astronomy and astrophysics, biomedical physics, etc
Many students choose to study PhD Physics because of the following reasons-
- Top Skills Acquired
PhD Physics gives students the ability to conduct experiments, develop theories, mathematical modeling, etc. and students gain knowledge of natural laws in various fields such as optics, classical and quantum mechanics, and electricity and magnetism, astronomy and astrophysics, biomedical physics, etc.
- Future Career Options
Students who have earned a PhD Physics degree can take up any job profiles such as Researcher, Scientist, Physicist, Lecturer & Professor, Author & Writer, Journalist, Editor & Critic, Human Services Worker, Independent Consultant, Philosophical Journalist, Industrial R&D Lab professionals, Senior Research Scientist, etc.
- Lucrative Job Opportunities
Students can find job opportunities in industries such as educational, medical, healthcare, research, finance, consulting, IT, Banking, etc.
PhD Physics Admission Process
The admission process for the PhD Physics course depends on the entrance tests such as CSIR/UGC-JRF, CSIR/UGC, JEST/GATE, etc. The qualified candidates will be further selected on the basis of personal interview.
Some of the institutes also provide direct admission to the students on merit basis with minimum eligibility of Bachelor’s Degree with 60% aggregate marks.
Following are the steps to keep in mind while applying for a PhD Physics Admission:
- Step 1: Register Online on the college Application Portal by filling required details like name, mobile number, email ID, etc.
- Step 2: Log-in using the generated credentials. Fill the online application form and provide details like personal and academic such as Gender, Address Subject, Marks, etc.
- Step 3: Upload the scanned copies of the required documents like photograph, signature, mark sheet, certificates, etc. The scanned copies must be in the asked format and size.
- Step 4: Pay the application fee as mentioned by the college. After the successful payment, the registration confirmation will be sent to the candidate.
- Step 5: Candidates should download and save the application form for further reference.
PhD Physics Eligibility
Following are the eligibility criteria for the PhD physics course:
- Candidates seeking admission in PhD Physics must have a Bachelor’s Degree, M.Phil. degree or M.Sc Physics or Material Science with a minimum of 60% aggregate score.
- The minimum of 60% aggregate or equivalent CGPA (relaxed to 55% or equivalent CGPA for SC/ST).
- Various colleges conduct entrance exams such as CSIR/UGC-JRF, CSIR/UGC, JEST, etc. followed by personal interview for admission.
PhD Physics Entrance Exams
Some of the important dates and details of the PhD Physics Entrance Exams are tabulated below.
| Entrance Exam | Registration Date | Exam Date |
|---|---|---|
| CSIR UGC NET | 2nd week of March – 2nd week of April 2024 | 3rd week of June 2024 |
| UGC NET | December 2023 – January 2024 | February 2024 – March 2024 |
| IIT JAM | September 5, 2023 – October 25, 2023 (Extended) | February 11, 2024 |
| GPAT | March 2024 | April 2024 |
| VITMEE | March 2024 | April 2024 |
How to Prepare for the Entrance Exams
- PhD entrance exams are the most comprehensive competitive exams for research opportunities. Candidates should analyze the time and days that they require for thorough preparation.
- Engineering, Science & Mathematical concepts should be studied well. Questions will be asked about Quantitative ability, General Ability, Engineering, Statistics, etc. Candidates should manage the time according to each subject and topic.
- Candidates should solve sample question papers and take several mocks tests and model tests to know the exam pattern. This way, candidates have an idea about the exam pattern which will save a lot of time during the exam.
- Candidates should learn to effectively manage their time to answer 65 questions in about three hours, which will carry 100 marks in total. Candidates should have hands-on practice of shortcuts for mathematical questions which will save time for revision.
- Go through various books available for Mathematics, General Aptitude, Engineering which will give an idea about the previous year’s questions.
How to get admission in a good PhD Physics college?
To get admission in top PhD colleges, keep in mind the following things-
- Exceptional marks and performance in the Bachelor’s Degree and required entrance exams are required to secure a place in a top institute. Better the performance, higher are the chances of admission into a top institute offering PhD Physics.
- Apart from this candidate’s performance in the interview should be excellent, based on which the final selection will be done.
- Also, aspirants should be excellent at performing research with findings of research conducted by them.
- Be informed about the course cut-offs, eligibility, important dates, application process & fee, and deadlines to always stay updated.
- Candidates should prepare for the exam well in advance and cover all the required topics related to a general attitude, engineering, etc.
PhD Physics Syllabus
Some of the core and major PhD Physics syllabus, which every aspirant needs to study throughout the course duration are tabulated below.
| Semester I | Semester II |
|---|---|
| Research Methodology and Statistics | Physics Laboratory |
| Theoretical Physics | Mathematical Methods |
| Experimental Physics | Quantum Mechanics |
| Numerical Methods and Simulation | Statistical Mechanics |
| Research and Technical Communication | Numerical Methods and Programming |
| Semester III | Semester IV |
| Electrodynamics | Atomic and Molecular Physics |
| Condensed Matter Physics | Nuclear and Particle Physics |
| Condensed Matter Physics Lab | PhD Project |
| Department Elective | Department Elective |
| Open Elective | Open Elective |
PhD Physics Books
Tabulated below are some of the PhD Physics books that can help aspirants to have a broader and better understanding of the course
| Name of the Book | Author |
|---|---|
| Concept of Physics | HC Verma |
| Problems on General Physics | IE Irodov |
| Fundamentals of Physics | Halliday Resnick and Walker |
| University Physics | Francis W. Sears, Hugh D. Young, Roger Freedman, Mark Zemansky |
| An Introductory Course of Particle Physics | Palash B. Pal |
PhD Physics Top Colleges
Some of the top colleges in India providing PhD Physics are:
| Institutes | Location | Accreditation | Annual Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indian Institute of Science | Bangalore | NAAC, UGC | INR 35,200 |
| Indian Institute of Technology | Mumbai | AICTE, UGC | INR 73,000 |
| Indian Institute of Technology | Kanpur | UGC | INR 64,050 |
| Indian Institute of Technology | Madras | AICTE | INR 19,670 |
| Birla Institute of Technology and Science | Pilani | AICTE, NAAC | INR 1,10, 125 |
| Loyola College | Chennai | NAAC | INR 7,200 |
| Christ University | Bangalore | NAAC, UGC | INR 35,000 |
| Jadavpur University | Kolkata | NCTE, COA, AICTE, NAAC, UGC | INR 2,388 |
| Shiv Nadar University | Greater Noida | AICTE, UGC | INR 2,10,000 |
| Birla Institute Of Technology | Ranchi | PCI, AICTE, NAAC, UGC, NBA | INR 75,000 |
PhD Physics College Comparison
The table drawn below shows the comparison made among the 2 top IITs that offer a PhD in Physics.
| Parameters | IIT Kanpur | IIT Bombay |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | The institute offers UG, PG, integrated, and research programs in the field of Engineering, Science, Management, and Design. | The institute offers various specializations under B.Tech, M.tech, M.Sc, and PhD courses. |
| Location | Kanpur | Mumbai |
| Accreditation | UGC | AICTE, UGC |
| Average Fees | INR 1.73 lakhs | INR 1.96 lakhs |
| Average Placement Package | INR 7.8 LPA | INR 20.34 LPA |
| Top Recruiters | Flipkart, Zomato, Yahoo, Microsoft, Uber, Myntra, IBM, Barclays, Accenture, Bharat Petroleum, Yes Bank, ITC Limited, Mahindra Finance, Deloitte, Star labs, EXL, KPIT, Capital One, Bosch, Ford, TCS, Early Salary, etc. | Microsoft, Samsung, Google, Accenture, Amazon, Qualcomm, Tata Steel, JP Morgan, McKinsey, Analog Devices, TSMC, BYJUS, TATA, L&T, Ramboll, etc. |
Source: College Websites
PhD Physics: Distance Education
PhD Physics distance education is not valid anymore as per the UGC. However, a PhD Physics degree from IGNOU will still be recognized. The basic eligibility criteria for PhD Physics Distance education is that the candidate should possess a Master's Degree from a University recognized by UGC or any other qualification recognized as equivalent.
The details of the PhD Physics course through IGNOU is mentioned below:
| Institute | Location | Admission | Average Fees | Average Placement |
| IGNOU | New Delhi | Entrance based | INR 16,800 | INR 6 LPA |
Check: IGNOU Admission
PhD Physics Course Comparison
PhD Physics vs PhD Chemistry
Both courses have different subjects and study areas. We have discussed the in-depth comparison below-
| Parameters | PhD Physics | PhD Chemistry |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | It involves Atomic and Condensed Matter Physics, Laser Physics, Particle Physics, etc. It prepares graduates to develop theories, mathematical modeling, etc. | It focuses on the properties, structure, science of matter, reaction, interaction, composition, behavior, and change. |
| Course Content | It comprises subjects like Kinetics, Solid-state physics, Chemical thermodynamics, Advanced thermodynamics, Nanophysics, Applied physics, etc | It comprises subjects like General Structure, Research Methodology, Scientific Communication, Recent trends in chemistry, etc. |
| Specializations | PhD Physics specializes in atomic physics, molecular physics, matter optical physics, geophysics, physics, biophysics, high energy or particle physics, and astrophysics. | PhD Chemistry specializes in analytics, nanotechnology, and materials, organic and inorganic, physical, polymer, or molecular biophysics, theoretical, etc. |
| Knowledge Delivery | It focuses more on physics methodology. | It focuses more on the knowledge of organic chemistry and biological networks. |
| Average Fees | INR 2 to 5 lakhs | INR 2 to 5 lakhs |
| Duration | 3 years | 3 years |
| Eligibility | Bachelor’s Degree from a recognized university/board. | Bachelor’s Degree from a recognized university/board. |
| Admission Process | Both Entrance and Merit-Based | Both Entrance and Merit-Based |
| Top Colleges | IIT Kanpur, IIT Madras, IIT Bombay, IISc Bangalore, BITS Pilani, etc | Osmania University, Punjabi University, Deenbandhu Chhotu Ram University of Science and Technology, North Maharashtra University, Loyola College, etc |
| Average Salary | INR 2 to 20 LPA | INR 2 to 9.8 LPA |
| Job Opportunities | Researcher, Scientist, Physicist, Lecturer & Professor, Author & Writer, Journalist, Editor & Critic, Human Services Worker, Independent Consultant, Philosophical Journalist, Industrial R&D Lab professionals, Senior Research Scientist, etc. | Scientist, R and D Manager, Chemical Engineers, Medical Scientists, Environmental Scientists, Staff scientist, chemistry lecturer, professor, faculty, etc. |
| Recruiting Areas | Educational institutes, medical, healthcare, research, finance, consulting, IT, Banking, etc. | Chemical Industries, Food Industries, Chemical Research Organizations, etc. |
| Top Recruiters | ITM Group of Institutes, Amity University, Manipal University, Physical Research Laboratory, Solid State Physics Laboratory, IISC Bangalore, IIIT Hyderabad, UBS, Amazon, Indian Institute of Science, etc. | Amity University, University of Petroleum and Energy Studies, SPRERI, Sygene, Clariant, Intel Corporation, etc. |
Source: College Websites
PhD Physics: Job Prospects and Career Options
After successful completion of the PhD Physics, graduates have vast career options. They can seek employment in sectors like IT, Research, Chemical, Medical, Healthcare, Educational, Engineering, or can be employed in areas like research administration, university administration, science reporting, technical management, and marketing, etc.
Graduates can choose to work as Researcher, Scientist, Physicist, Lecturer & Professor, Author & Writer, Journalist, Editor & Critic, Human Services Worker, Independent Consultant, Philosophical Journalist, Industrial R&D Lab professionals, Senior Research Scientist, etc.
Some of the major job profiles associated with the PhD Physics, along with the average salary are as follows:
| Job Role | Job Responsibilities | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Research Scientist | Their main task is learning social events, understanding exploration, advancement and configuration work, exploration as a researcher, etc. | INR 8,49,405 |
| Physicist | Their main tasks are to conduct studies of the universe and formulate scientific theories, use their expert knowledge to help product designers and engineers develop new scientific equipment, creation of software used to model data, publish scholarly journals detailing their research. | INR 8,00,000 |
| Physics Professor | They assist students in conducting their own research in an effective manner and make sure their coursework adequately prepares students for work within their field upon graduation. | INR 7,99,918 |
| Natural Science Managers | They create cost-effective and efficient strategies for research and development. | INR 8,62,161 |
| Petroleum Engineers | They develop plans for extracting oil and gas, aid in the creation of new machinery, work on-site to ensure that all equipment is installed properly, etc. | INR 8,08,111 |
Source: Payscale
Some of the top recruiters are ITM Group of Institutes, Amity University, Manipal University, Physical Research Laboratory, Solid State Physics Laboratory, IISC Bangalore, IIIT Hyderabad, UBS, Amazon, Indian Institute of Science, etc. offering an average salary of INR 5 LPA to 20 LPA.
PhD Physics: Future Scope
PhD Physics course makes an individual familiar with the fundamentals of Physics. Post obtaining a degree of the course, candidates are recommended to choose from the prominent career job opportunities such as Research Scientist, BioPhysicist, Environmental Engineering, Physics Faculty, etc.
FAQs
Ques. What can I do after a PhD Physics?
Ans. You get vast career options and can choose from the following fields to work as Researcher, Scientist, Physicist, Lecturer & Professor, Author & Writer, Journalist, Editor & Critic, Human Services Worker, Independent Consultant, Philosophical Journalist, Industrial R&D Lab professionals, Senior Research Scientist, etc.
Ques. Is a PhD in Physics worth it?
Ans. Graduates with a PhD Physics degree will be well-positioned to get high-paying research or physicist level jobs like with an average annual salary of INR 8 LPA.
Ques. How is a PhD Physics?
Ans. The PhD Physics course provides experimental and theoretical education in physics and aims at providing a broad professional background in physics to the students. Students will be studying a variety of topics based on ongoing research activities at the Department of Physics.
Ques. Which top colleges in India provide a PhD Physics?
Ans. IIT Kanpur, IIT Madras, IIT Bombay, IISc Bangalore, BITS Pilani, Loyola College, Shiv Nadar University, BIT Mesra, etc. are some of the top colleges offering PhD Physics Department.
Ques. What Scope does a PhD Physics degree have?
Ans. PhD Physics course makes an individual familiar with the fundamentals of Physics. Post obtaining a degree of the course, candidates are recommended to choose from the prominent career job opportunities such as Research Scientist, BioPhysicist, Environmental Engineering, Physics Faculty, etc.
Ques. Which is a better PhD Physics or PhD Chemistry?
Ans. PhD Physics involves Atomic and Condensed Matter Physics, Laser Physics, Particle Physics, etc. It prepares graduates to develop theories, mathematical modeling, etc. It focuses on the science of matter, properties, structure, composition, behavior, reaction, interaction, and change.
Ques. What job roles can I apply for after completing my PhD Physics?
Ans. Top job profiles, candidates can work in are Researcher, Scientist, Biophysicist, Postsecondary Physics Teachers, Physicists and Astronomers, Natural Sciences Managers, Petroleum Engineers, Industrial R&D Lab professionals, Senior Research Scientist, etc.
Ques. What is the admission process to apply for a PhD Physics program?
Ans. The admission process for the PhD Physics course depends on the entrance tests such as CSIR/UGC-JRF, CSIR/UGC, JEST/GATE, etc. The qualified candidates will be further selected on the basis of personal interview.
Ques. What will I get to study during my PhD Physics course?
Ans. You will get to study about Research Methodology and Statistics, Mathematical Methods, Theoretical Physics, Quantum Mechanics, Experimental Physics, Statistical Mechanics, Numerical Methods and Simulation, Numerical Methods and Programming, Research and Technical Communication, etc
Ques. What is the average fee and salary of a PhD Physics passout?
Ans. The average course fee to study a full-time PhD Physics program is around INR 20,000 to 5 lakhs and the average annual salary can range from INR 2 to 20 LPA.
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