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 interdisciplinary PhD programme in the Humanities and Social Sciences at the School of Arts and Sciences of Ahmedabad University is committed to cultivating disciplinary depth while recognising the inherently interdisciplinary nature of knowledge production. The programme responds to the new realities of our complex world and capitalises on the strengths of Ahmedabad University’s faculty from across a range of academic disciplines in the humanities and social sciences. Our emphasis on interdisciplinarity and, where appropriate, trans-disciplinarity, enables researchers to enquire into important questions by cultivating an intellectual approach that is informed by the interconnections between disciplinary perspectives. The coursework provides PhD scholars with training that will expand their intellectual range. However, the programme allows scholars the flexibility to pursue standard disciplinary or interdisciplinary research agendas for the theses. This is a unique PhD programme in India, that is built on a vision of nurturing collaboration and developing an interdisciplinary mindset, without compromising disciplinary robustness. The PhD programme is currently able to offer domain knowledge in the areas of History, Political Science, Philosophy, Economics, Sociology, Anthropology and Urban Studies. A student graduating from such a programme would be able to enter the academic and related job markets as a specialist in a particular topic or research question that may or may not coincide with the conventional disciplines of the social sciences or humanities.
Goals of the Interdisciplinary PhD programme in Humanities and Social Sciences
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
Atmospheric Science
Complex Systems and Biological Physics
Gravity and Cosmology
Minimum Programme Credits:
Admission to the PhD programme will be based on a candidate’s past academic record which includes either a Masters degree or equivalent training in any of the social sciences, humanities or related disciplines, a minimum 55% percent at the Masters level, and satisfactory performance at interview. In exceptional cases, a candidate with a Bachelors degree in a 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.
Candidates having a first class (60% and above) Masters degree in any of following areas are eligible to enter the PhD programme in Life Sciences. Areas: Biochemistry, Microbiology, Biotechnology, Botany, Zoology, Chemistry, Life Sciences, Nanotechnology, Toxicology, Bioinformatics, Environmental Science, Environmental Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Bioengineering, Forensic Sciences (Biology/Chemistry) or an equivalent degree in subjects related to biological sciences.
Candidates who have qualified CSIR-UGC NET (JRF) or have a valid GATE score and have secured a minimum of 55% or equivalent in Masters (Physics) are eligible to apply.
All potential candidates must apply through the Graduate Application Portal. The admission process includes evaluation of the past academic record, including a brief statement of research interest and a writing sample, a written exam based on which candidates will be shortlisted for an interview. A student is admitted to the School of Arts and Sciences and not to an individual faculty mentor. However, a potential supervisor is indicated at the time of admission recommendation, which may change at a later date if required. This will ensure there is a minimum of one faculty member whose research interests match the candidate’s interest at the time of admission.
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.
PhD admissions for 2021 are now open. Apply through the Graduate Admission Portal.
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 physics@ahduni.edu.in.
The faculty at the Biological and Life Sciences division of the School of Arts and Sciences brings together exceptional learning, varied research profiles and high motivation to help nurture knowledge and innovation.
Detailed faculty profiles are available through the following link: