Ahmedabad University’s doctoral programmes involve completing graduate-level course work, passing a comprehensive examination, and successfully completing a dissertation. The School of Arts and Sciences offers doctoral programmes in Humanities and Social Sciences, Life Sciences, and Physics. Details of each of the programmes is given below.
The PhD programme in Interdisciplinary Humanities and Social Sciences (IHS) at Ahmedabad University is unique in India. Unlike conventional doctoral programmes, the framework of our IHS programme recognises the inherently interdisciplinary nature of knowledge production. The Programme integrates theoretical training with a focus on cutting-edge research methods, and allows for flexibility in designing interdisciplinary and disciplinary research projects. Students who wish to design an interdisciplinary PhD project are trained to pursue novel research questions that transcend disciplinary silos across the humanities and social sciences. The Programme is equally committed to cultivating disciplinary depth and also supports scholars who are interested in pursuing research in the following disciplines:
We accept applications from full-time and part-time students. The Programme collaborates closely with faculty from other Schools and Centres at Ahmedabad University, whose work overlaps with the School of Arts and Sciences. We aim to prepare candidates for careers in academia, research and related practice-based careers of applied knowledge.
The PhD programme in Mathematical and Computational Sciences at Ahmedabad University encourages students to study and conduct quality research in Mathematics, Statistics, and Computer Science, as well as the intersections of these subjects with other disciplines. The current research interests of the faculty involve core and interdisciplinary areas involving applications of Mathematical and Computational Sciences, for example, Biology, Physics, Ecology, Social Science, Engineering, and Management. This provides students with opportunities to explore a wide range of possibilities to select the problem they want to work on for their PhD thesis.
Broad Research Areas:
At the Biological and Life Sciences division, we study fundamental biological questions that span biomolecules, cells, organisms and ecosystems. The objectives of our programme are to nurture science and innovation through rigorous teaching and research, in areas that are central to human and environmental health. The educational objectives are to train students in modern biological techniques in molecular, cellular, biochemical, integrative and computational biology. We encourage multi-disciplinary thinking, cross-disciplinary interactions, and research collaborations with engineers, physicists, chemists, and faculty from the arts and humanities.
We not only celebrate knowledge creation but also its application, by facilitating engagement with industries and by promoting entrepreneurship via VentureStudio (the startup incubator at Ahmedabad University). Students are actively encouraged to break traditional disciplinary boundaries as they design their course work and research programme. Throughout the programme of study and research, we emphasise scholarship and provide an environment that is open to intellectual discussion. Our faculty are from diverse, often interdisciplinary, backgrounds, with many engaging in interactive research in overlapping areas that include, but are not limited to:
At Ahmedabad University, we encourage students to think beyond the traditional borders of the conventional sub-areas of Physics as well as across other disciplines. While some of the current research interests of the faculty involve core areas of Physics, the research interests of faculty involve a significant interdisciplinary approach combining physics, biology and atmospheric sciences. This provides students with opportunities to explore diverse possibilities. The PhD course curriculum comprising of various electives reflects this thinking. PhD aspirants are encouraged to go through the research activities of the faculty members and have an open mind while deciding their research career. It may also be helpful for them to examine the PhD programmes in Life Sciences, and in Humanities and Social Sciences, which give a sense of the engaged, interdisciplinary and collaborative learning practices that are expected at the School of Arts and Sciences.
The PhD Programme in Physics is designed to prepare students for a career as a researcher, either in academia or in industry. Careers in industry will depend on the area of doctoral research and the extent of industrial research in that field. Through coursework and research projects that will expose students to research in different branches of Physics, students will be prepared for the expected and appropriate level of research in the PhD programme.
The Structure of the curriculum is as follows:
| I | Courses in Physics and related areas | 27 credits |
| II | Research Methodology | 3 credits |
| III | Statistics | 3 credits |
| IV | Technical Writing | 3 credits |
| Total | 36 credits |
Doctoral students are required to take courses in Mathematical Physics, Computational Physics, Research Methodology, Technical Writing, and Statistics. In addition, students will take five additional courses out of a set of elective courses depending on their area of interest, and complete two Research Projects. Doctoral programme students will choose their research topic in consultation with the faculty during their coursework in the PhD programme.
Broad research areas
Minimum Programme Credits:
Interdisciplinary Humanities and Social Sciences
Admission to the PhD programme will be based on a candidate’s past academic record which includes either a Masters degree (Minimum 55%) or equivalent training in any of the social sciences, humanities or related disciplines, a brief statement of research interest, and a writing sample. Applicants with a score of 60% or more in the UGC-NET exam are exempted from the written exam but must go through an interview process if shortlisted. In exceptional cases, a candidate with a Bachelor’s degree in any discipline who displays remarkable interest and potential for research in the humanities and social sciences may be admitted to the programme, albeit with the requirement of completing additional credits as per the overall PhD policy of Ahmedabad University.
Mathematical and Computational Sciences
Life Sciences
Candidates having a first class (55% and above) master’s degree or an equivalent grade in a point scale where the grading system is followed, in any of areas given below, are eligible to apply for the PhD programme in Biological and Life Sciences. These areas include any area of Biological or Biomedical Sciences broadly defined. They include but are not confined to Biochemistry, Microbiology, Biotechnology, Botany, Zoology, Chemistry, Life Sciences, Nanotechnology, Physiology, Biophysics, Toxicology, Bioinformatics, Environmental Science, Environmental Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Bioengineering, and Forensic Sciences (Biology/Chemistry). An equivalent degree in subjects related to biological sciences or other areas of science and engineering may be considered if the candidate can demonstrate strong scholastic ability and an interest in biological sciences.
Physics
Candidates who have secured a minimum of 55% or equivalent in Masters (Physics) are eligible to apply for PhD (Physics)
Interdisciplinary Humanities and Social Sciences
The admission requirement for the PhD programme includes a Master’s degree or equivalent training in any of the social sciences, humanities or related disciplines, a brief statement of research interest, and a writing sample. Based on the information submitted through the application portal, candidates will be shortlisted for a written exam. Those successful in the written exam will be selected for an interview.
Shortlisted candidates who have successfully passed the NET exam or have an MPhil will directly appear for the interview.
The written exam will be one hour long and will involve writing a short original reflection (800-1000 words) in response to a prompt on a general theme or issue. There is no specific syllabus or list of topics to be covered. It will be administered via google form. All written responses will be checked for plagiarism and anyone found to have plagiarised will be automatically disqualified from the selection process.
Mathematical and Computational Sciences
Shortlisted candidates will be called for an interview. The final selection of candidates to the PhD programme in Mathematical and Computational Sciences will be based on their performance in the national level/standardised tests (CSIR/UGC/ICMR/DBT/DST INSPIRE/GATE/GRE Subject Test etc) and the interview.
Biological and Life Sciences
Shortlisted candidates will be called for a written test and those qualifying will be requested to appear for interview. The dates of the written test and interview will be announced after the last date of application to the PhD programme.
Candidates with national level fellowships/certificates (CSIR/UGC/ICMR/DBT/DST INSPIRE etc) will be exempted from the written test and be required to appear directly for an interview. The final dates will be communicated after the last date of application to the PhD programme in Life Sciences. Only shortlisted candidates will be called for interview. No TA/DA will be provided to candidates for appearing in the interview.
Physics
PhD admissions are now open. Candidates may apply through the Graduate Admissions Portal. Shortlisted candidates will be called for an online interview. The final selection will be based on the performance in the national level tests and the interview.
To learn more detailed information about the PhD programme in Physics at Ahmedabad University, you may send an email to [email protected].
Financial Support
Ahmedabad University awards full tuition fee waiver and financial support to full-time doctoral students. The financial support could be either as either University Assistantship or University Fellowship, or from sponsored projects. We offer University Assistantships at INR 40,000 per month plus tuition fee waiver, and University Fellowships at INR 50,000 per month plus tuition fee waiver.
The faculty of the School of Arts and Sciences are exceptionally well-trained in some of the best institutions in India and around the world. They have nurtured a thriving interdisciplinary research environment through their cutting edge research and innovative teaching pedagogies. Detailed faculty profiles are available through the following link:
Policies regarding Design and Conduct of the Doctoral Programmes