Updated October 18, 2022
PhD Zoology or Doctor of Philosophy in Zoology is a 3-year doctorate Course that deals with the study of animals, their structure classifications, and their existence in the environment. The discipline of Zoology is divided into several sub-branches, such as Ichthyology (Study of fish and their habitats), Ornithology (Study of birds), and Mammalogy (Study of mammals).
Candidates aspiring to pursue the course must hold a Master’s degree in Zoology or relevant discipline with a minimum aggregate score of 55% (50% for SC/ST/PH candidates) or an equivalent grade from a recognized university/institute of higher learning. Apart from that, they must have a 5-year teaching/ industry/ administrative/ professional experience at a senior level.
PhD Zoology Course Details
The table below presents the key details of PhD Zoology program. So, check out below for an overview of the Doctor of Philosophy in Zoology course.
| Course Name | PhD Zoology |
| Full-form | Doctor of Philosophy in Zoology |
| Course Level | Doctorate |
| Course Duration | 3 Years |
| Examination Type | Semester-wise |
| Minimum Eligibility | Post-graduate degree in Zoology or relevant discipline |
| Admission Process | Based on both academic record and performance in a relevant nation-wide screening test |
| Average Course Fee | INR 20K to 8 Lakhs |
| Average Starting Salary | INR 4 to 8 LPA |
| Top Recruiting Areas | Wildlife Sanctuaries, National Parks, Botanical Gardens, Zoos, Research Laboratories, Aquariums, Animal Clinics, Fisheries and Aquaculture, Museums, Pharmaceutical Companies, Veterinary Hospitals, etc. |
| Top Job Positions | Animal Caretaker, Conservationist, Animal Rehabilitator, Documentary Maker, Animal & Wildlife Educator, Forensic Expert, Animal Trainer, Lab Technician, Zoo Curator, Animal Breeder, Researcher, Animal, Behaviorist, Wildlife Biologist, Veterinarian, Zoo Keeper, and such. |
PhD Zoology Admission Process
Institutions offer admission to the PhD Zoology program based on both the merit in the Master’s degree and score in written tests & personal interviews. Candidates are shortlisted for admission based on both academic record and performance in a relevant nationwide screening test, such as UGC (NET/JRF), CSIR(NET/JRF), ICAR (JRF/SRF), SLET, GATE, GPAT, ICAR entrance tests, etc.
PhD Zoology Eligibility Criteria
As a minimum criterion of eligibility, aspiring candidates need to meet the following minimum eligibility criteria.
- Aspirants must be Postgraduate degree holders in Zoology or relevant discipline from a recognized institute/university of higher learning.
- They must have secured a minimum aggregate score of 55% or equivalent at the post-graduation level. However, some institutes also give relaxation of 5% marks to the SC/ST/PH candidates.
- They must have at least five years of teaching/ industry/ administrative/ professional experience at a senior level.
Top PhD Zoology Colleges in India
Listed below are some top institutions that offer PhD Zoology course in India.
- BIT Mesra, Ranchi
- IIT Kanpur, Kanpur
- Loyola College, Chennai
- Christ University, Bangalore
- Presidency College, Chennai
- Jadavpur University, Kolkata
- The North Cap University, Gurgaon
- Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi
- Shiv Nadar University, Greater Noida
- Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda College, Chennai
Popular PhD Zoology Entrance Exam
Institutions shortlisted candidates for admission based on both academic records and performance in relevant nationwide entrance Exams. Below mentioned are the entrance Exams available for Ph.D. in zoology.
- SLET
- GATE
- GPAT
- CSIR(NET/JRF)
- UGC (NET/JRF)
- ICAR (JRF/SRF)
- ICAR entrance tests
PhD Zoology Course Syllabus
The syllabus of the Ph.D. Zoology course incorporates various zoology subjects that may vary from the institution but mostly remain the same. Mentioned below is the syllabus for Ph.D. in Zoology, followed by most institutions offering the program.
Particulars of PhD Zoology Syllabus
| Syllabus |
| Ecology |
| Entomology |
| Immunology |
| Endocrinology |
| Wildlife Biology |
| Fisheries and Aquaculture |
| Genetics and Molecular Biology |
| Environmental Biology & Toxicology |
| Stem Cells and Developmental Biology |
Course Fees of PhD Zoology
The average fee for PhD Zoology at different institutions ranges from 20K to 8 Lakh for the entire course. The fee expenses for the course depend on the standard and authority of the institution candidates have selected for admission. Different institutions have their own fee regularizing criteria, which play an important part in determining the program’s fee structure.
Scope after PhD Zoology Course
Ph.D. Zoology promises vast scope for the candidates. After completing the program, graduates can explore career opportunities in employment sectors like Wildlife Sanctuaries, Academic institutions, National Parks, Botanical Gardens, Zoos, Research Laboratories, Aquariums, Animal Clinics, Fisheries & Aquaculture, Museums, Pharmaceutical Companies, Veterinary Hospitals, etc. They can become professors and lecturers in colleges/universities or other zoology professionals like Animal caretakers, conservationists, Animal rehabilitators, Documentary Maker, Animal & Wildlife educators, Forensic Experts, etc.
Apart from that, they can also go to universities and research institutes to study to embrace their Ph.D. degree to the next level.
PhD Zoology Jobs and Careers
The growing need for conservation and administration of natural life in the present-day society creates several lucrative professional options such as postgraduates in zoos, wildlife settings, greenhouses, natural conservation-based organizations, national parks, colleges, labs, aquariums, animal facilities, fisheries and aquaculture, historical centers, pharmaceutical companies, veterinary healing centers, and so on. Listed below are some popular professional avenues open to such postgraduates in the private and public sectors.
- Researcher
- Zoo Keeper
- Zoo Curator
- Veterinarian
- Animal Trainer
- Lab Technician
- Forensic Expert
- Conservationist
- Wildlife Biologist
- Animal Caretaker
- Zoology Professor
- Animal Behaviorist
- Animal Rehabilitator
- Documentary Maker
- Animal & Wildlife Educator
Salary After PhD in Zoology in India
The salary of the Ph.D. Zoology graduates may vary depending on various factors like job profiles, work organization, experience, skillset, etc. However, their average initial salary stands around 4 to 8 lakh Per Annum, depending on their job profiles. Listed below are some popular professional avenues open to such postgraduates in private and public sectors, along with the corresponding.
- Zoo Keeper:- INR 8 Lakh Per Annum
- Conservationist:- INR 6 Lakh Per Annum
- Forensic Expert:- INR 6.5 Lakh Per Annum
- Animal Caretaker:- INR 4 Lakh Per Annum
- Zoology Professor:- INR 9 Lakh Per Annum
- Wildlife Biologist:- INR 8.5 Lakh Per Annum
FAQ on Doctor of Philosophy in Zoology
Ans:- Ph.D. Zoology or Doctor of Philosophy in Zoology is a 3-year doctorate course that deals with the studies of animals, their structural classifications, and the science of their existence in the environment. The discipline of Zoology is divided into several sub-branches, such as Ichthyology (Study of fish and their habitats), Ornithology (Study of birds), and Mammalogy (Study of mammals).
Ans:- Below are the Zoology subjects taught in most Universities and Colleges that offer the Doctor of Philosophy in Zoology Course.
· Ecology
· Entomology
· Immunology
· Endocrinology
· Wildlife Biology
· Fisheries and Aquaculture
· Genetics and Molecular Biology
· Environmental Biology & Toxicology
· Stem Cells and Developmental Biology
Ans:- Yes, you can do a Ph.D. after MSc in zoology; all you are required to do is to score 55% in MSc Zoology. Apart from that, you must appear for the Ph.D. entrance examination conducted by various admission authorities. And, based on performance in that entrance exam and academic score, you will get admission.
Ans:- Candidates aspiring to pursue the Ph.D. Zoology course must meet the basic eligibility criteria, that is Master’s degree in a relevant discipline with at least 55% marks (50% marks for SC / ST / PH) candidates or an equivalent grade from a recognized college or university.
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