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 unique among those offered by Indian universities. Its emphasis on interdisciplinarity provides PhD scholars with training that will expand their intellectual range, a training essential for present-day knowledge production. Unlike conventional doctoral programmes, the framework of this programme will equip scholars to ask novel research questions that transcend disciplinary silos. The programme is interested in using an interdisciplinary lens in the study of, for instance, political behaviour, cultural practice, questions of justice, urban transformations, ecological challenges, digital technologies and modern forms of economic organisation. The programme integrates interdisciplinary theoretical training with a focus on cutting-edge interpretive, qualitative and quantitative research methods. It will support scholars who wish to pursue puzzles and solutions that draw on but also go beyond the disciplinary boundaries of history, political science, philosophy, urban studies, anthropology, sociology and psychology.
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 (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.
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 secured a minimum of 55% or equivalent in Masters (Physics) are eligible to apply for PhD (Physics)
All potential candidates must apply through the Graduate Application Portal. 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.
April 26, 2021: Announcement of Shortlisted candidates
May 5, 2021: Written exam and interview (everything will be online)
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.
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 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: