The Ph.D. (Doctor of Philosophy) in chemistry is an advanced, research-focused program that prepares individuals for careers in academia, industry, or government sector. This program typically involves an in-depth study on any chosen area in the domain of chemistry and requires scholars to contribute, to the field of chemistry through their original research. It opens up diverse career paths and equips the graduates with the skills needed for professional roles in their careers. The first six months of the program is dedicated to coursework, designed to provide a strong theoretical foundation to research along with common subject-based topics. Scholars are then allowed to choose their own research area based on their interests. The Department of Chemistry comprises of faculty with expertise in diverse areas, including materials chemistry, heterogeneous catalysis, electrochemistry, organic synthesis, food technology, energy storage and production, computational chemistry, molecular recognition, and liquid crystals.
Scholars will be assigned a faculty supervisor, with whom they will work closely to design, develop, and execute their research projects. Research may involve experimental work, computational studies, or a combination of both. Research progress is evaluated by a research advisory committee comprising the supervisor and two faculty members with expertise in the subject area, through regular meetings, presentations, and written reports. Ample opportunities for professional development, such as attending conferences, workshops, and presenting research findings, are available. Scholars are often encouraged to gain teaching experience, usually through serving as teaching assistants. They are expected to adhere to high ethical standards in their research, including proper conduct and honesty in data handling and reporting. Ph.D. graduates are well trained to take up teaching/research positions at colleges and universities or work in research and development wings of pharmaceutical, chemical, and biotechnology industries.
