Updated October 18, 2022
PhD in Physics or Doctor of Philosophy in Physics is a three-year doctorate program that aims at providing candidates with broad professional skills and knowledge in physics. The program deals with different areas of physics like Atomic and Condensed Matter Physics, Quantum Optics and Laser Physics, Particle Physics, High Energy Physics, and so on.
The minimum eligibility criteria for admission to Ph.D. Physics course is a Bachelor’s Degree, MSc, or MPhil degree in Physics or Material Science with a minimum aggregate of 60% marks. Besides academic records of the candidates at the UG or PG level, the admissions process also includes entrance exams like CSIR/UGC-JRF, CSIR/UGC, etc.
Numerous leading institutes in India, like Loyola College, Christ University, Chandigarh University, Fergusson College, Jadavpur University, IIT Kanpur, etc., offer full-time Ph.D. Physics courses. The average fees expenses for the course at different institutions stand around INR 2K – 5 lakhs per annum, depending on their authority and standard.
PhD in Physics Course Details
The table below presents the Major Highlights of Doctor of Philosophy in Physics program.
| Course Name | PhD in Physics |
| Degree Level | Doctorate |
| Full Form | Doctorate of Philosophy in Physics |
| Course Duration | Three years |
| Examination Pattern | Semester-Wise |
| Minimum Eligibility | Post-graduate degree in Physics or Material Science with Minimum of 60% aggregate Score |
| Admission Process | Entrance Based & Merit Based |
| Average Course Fee | INR 20K to 2 LPA |
| Average Initial Salary | INR 2 to 8 LPA |
| Top Recruiters | Amity University, Manipal University, CSIR-National Physical Laboratory of India, ITM Group of Institutes, Physical Research Laboratory, Solid State Physics Laboratory, IISC Bangalore, IIIT Hyderabad, UBS, Amazon, Indian Institute of Science, etc. |
| Top Job Positions | Lecturer & Professor, Researcher, Scientist, Physicist, Author & Writer, Journalist, Editor & Critic, Human Services Worker, Independent Consultant, Philosophical Journalist, Industrial R&D Lab professionals, Senior Research Scientist, etc. |
Ph.D. in Physics Admission Process
The institution provides admission to the Ph.D. Physics course based on the entrance tests such as CSIR/UGC-JRF, CSIR/UGC, JEST/GATE, etc. The candidates who qualify in any of the above-mentioned entrance tests are further called for a personal interview, and based on overall performance, admission is granted to the program.
Some institutes also provide direct admission based on academic records of the candidates where the minimum eligibility required is Bachelor’s Degree with 60% aggregate marks.
Ph.D. in Physics Eligibility Criteria
For admission to the Ph.D. physics Course, candidates must meet the specific eligibility criteria. Mentioned below are the eligibility criteria for the Ph.D. physics course.
- Aspirants must have a Bachelor’s Degree, MPhil, or MSc degree in Physics or Material Science with a minimum aggregate of 60% Marks.
- The minimum required percentage is 60% in aggregate or equivalent CGPA. However, in some institutes, relaxation of 5% marks or equivalent CGPA is also given to reserved categories.
- Aspirants also have to qualify in entrance exams like CSIR/UGC-JRF, CSIR/UGC, JEST, etc., followed by a personal interview for admission.
Popular PhD Physics Entrance Exams
Since admission to the PhD Physics course is not provided unless aspirants pass the entrance exams. The admission authorities conduct some national and university-level entrance tests. Below listed are a few such entrance exams.
- GATE
- UGC JRF
- CSIR NET
- UGC NET
Top Ph.D. Physics Colleges in India
Ph.D. Physics is becoming popular among research aspirants as it is one of the best professional courses. Though plenty of options for Ph.D. courses are available, a large number of students are enrolled in the Physics department every year. And this is why various reputed institutes across India offer PhD Physics courses. Some of the top ones among them are listed below:
- Loyola College, Chennai
- Christ University, Bangalore
- Jadavpur University, Kolkata
- Birla Institute of Technology, Ranchi
- Shiv Nadar University, Greater Noida
- Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore
- Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur
- Indian Institute of Technology, Madras
- Indian Institute of Technology, Mumbai
- Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani
Doctor of Philosophy in Physics Syllabus
The core and major PhD Physics syllabus, which every aspirant go through during the entire course, are tabulated below.
Particulars of PhD in Physics Syllabus
| Years | Syllabus |
| First Year | Physics Laboratory |
| Theoretical Physics | |
| Quantum Mechanics | |
| Experimental Physics | |
| Statistical Mechanics | |
| Mathematical Methods | |
| Numerical Methods and Simulation | |
| Research Methodology and Statistics | |
| Numerical Methods and Programming | |
| Research and Technical Communication | |
| Second Year | PhD Project |
| Open Elective I | |
| Open Elective II | |
| Electrodynamics | |
| Department Elective I | |
| Department Elective II | |
| Condensed Matter Physics | |
| Nuclear and Particle Physics | |
| Atomic and Molecular Physics | |
| Condensed Matter Physics Lab |
Future Scope of PhD Physics Course
PhD Physics course focuses on giving an individual a broad professional background in physics. Post obtaining a degree in the course, candidates can find job opportunities in various industries that are concerned with physics, such as Academic institutions, medical, healthcare, research, finance, consulting, IT, Banking, etc. The graduates can choose from prominent career job opportunities such as Research Scientist, Bio-Physicist, Environmental Engineering, Physics Faculty, etc.
PhD in Physics Jobs and Career options
PhD Physics promises vast career options for the graduates. They can explore job opportunities in employment sectors like IT, Research, Chemical, Medical, Healthcare, Educational Institutions, Engineering, and so on at various job roles. Listed below are some major job profiles after Ph.D. Physics.
- Physicist
- Lab Supervisor
- Physics Professor
- Research Scientist
- Petroleum Engineers
- Subject Matter Expert
- Researcher & Technician
- Natural Science Managers
Graduates of PhD in Physics Salary
After completing the Ph.D. in Physics, graduates can choose to work as Researchers, Scientists, Physicists, lecturers & professors, Author & Writer, Journalist, Editor & Critic, Human Services Worker, Independent Consultant, Philosophical, Journalist, Industrial R&D Lab professionals, Senior Research Scientist, etc. The average initial package offered to them stands around 2 to 8 Lakh Per Annum, depending on their job profile and organization of working. However, with gaining experience and polishing their skillset, their salary increases. Listed are some major job profiles associated with the Ph.D. Physics, along with the average salary packages.
- Physicist:- INR 8 Lakh Per Annum
- Physics Professor:- INR 8 Lakh Per Annum
- Research Scientist:- INR 8.5 Lakh Per Annum
- Petroleum Engineers:- INR 8 Lakh Per Annum
- Natural Science Managers:- INR 9 Lakh Per Annum
FAQs on Doctor of Philosophy in Physics
Ans:- Ph.D. in Physics or Doctor of Philosophy in Physics is a three to five years long doctorate program that includes two years of classroom study along with two to three more years of research and laboratory work for the dissertation.
Ans:- Yes, but not exactly; if someone is dedicated to anything, nothing is hard for him. A Ph.D. is an academic degree awarded by a college or university based on study and research recognized by the school.
Ans:- It is very useful because earning a Ph.D. in physics helps with skills that are useful in nearly any job, like presenting your work and working with large collaborations across cultures, managing projects, thinking critically, and recovering from failures.
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