Doctor of Philosophy or Ph.D. (Geology) is a 3-5 years doctorate program that prepares students for various Geoscience careers. Geology comprises the study of Mineralogy, Palaeontology, Structural Geology, and Geomorphology.
The basic eligibility criteria for pursuing the course is a Master’s degree in the areas such as Geology/ Applied Geology/ Earth Science/ Marine Geology from any recognized university with 55% aggregate marks. Admission to the course is based on merit obtained by candidates at the master’s level. Some government institutes also conduct entrance exams for providing admission.
The average tuition fee charged for the course in India ranges between INR 10,000 to 2 lacs. However, successful doctorates can expect anything between INR 2.5 lacs to 9.5 lacs as the average starting salary which increases with their experience and expertise. Such students are hired in the job positions such as Volcanologists, Petroleum Geologists, Environmental Geologists, Earth Science Teachers, Glacial Geologists, Structural Geologists, Hydrogeologists, Engineering Geologists, and Palaeontologists.
Table of Contents
Ph.D. (Geology): Course Highlights
The following table comprises some major highlights of the course:
| Course Level | Doctorate |
| Duration | 3-5 years |
| Examination Type | Semester system/ Year wise |
| Eligibility | Master’s degree from a recognized university with at least 55% marks. |
| Admission Process | Merit Based/ Entrance Test |
| Course Fees | INR 1 lakh to INR 2 lacs |
| Average Starting Salary | INR 2.5 lacs to INR 9.5 lacs |
| Top Recruiting Companies | Geological Survey of India, Central Ground Water Board, Oil and Natural Gas Commission, Hindustan Zinc Limited, Minerals and Metals Trading Corporation, Coal India, Mineral Exploration Ltd., Indian Bureau of Mines, Indian Space Research Organization, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited. |
| Top Recruiting Areas | Research & Educational Institutes, Mining, Oil and Gas, Minerals and Water Resources, Mineralogy, Volcanology, Hydrology or Oceanography. |
| Job Positions | Volcanologists, Petroleum Geologists, Environmental Geologists, Earth Science Teachers, Glacial Geologists, Structural Geologists, Hydro geologists, Engineering Geologists, Palaeontologists |
Ph.D. (Geology): What is it about?
Geology is the study of the Earth in which students study about Earth materials, how materials are made of, and processes that affect them over time. Students who are engaged in the study of geology are known as Geologists.
After getting a doctorate degree from reputed institutes or universities students can work both in domestic as well as international areas.
Students enrolled in the course are taught to:
- Work in deserts, ocean floors, mountains etc.
- Identifying rock, minerals and fossils
- Measure Earth’s gravity and magnetic field
- Research for natural gas and minerals
Top Institutes offering Ph.D. (Geology)
The following table shows the list of top institutes in India that offer the course:
| Name of Institute | City | Average Annual Fees in INR |
|---|---|---|
| Banaras Hindu University | Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh | 19, 000 |
| Central University of Karnataka | Gulbarga, Karnataka | 20, 000 |
| Gulbarga University | Gulbarga, Karnataka | 12, 395 |
| IIT Bombay | Mumbai | |
| Karnatak University | Karnataka | 12, 010 |
| M.G. Science Institute | Ahmedabad, Gujarat | 9000 |
| Maharaja Ganga Singh University | Bikaner, Rajasthan | 9000 |
| MES Ponnani College | Kerala | 22, 600 |
| Mizoram University | Mizoram | 17, 650 |
| Mohanlal Sukhadia University | Udaipur, Rajasthan | 30, 500 |
| National College Trichy | Tamil Nadu | 39, 650 |
| NIMS University | Jaipur, Rajasthan | 1, 05, 000 |
| Osmania University | Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh | 3000 |
| Panjab University | Chandigarh | 12, 000 |
Eligibility for Ph.D. (Geology)
All interested students are required to fulfill the minimum eligibility criteria in order to apply for the course which is as below:
- Postgraduate degree in a relevant area such as Geology/ Applied Geology/ Earth Science/ Marine Geology from any recognized university.
- Minimum 55% marks for the general category in master’s degree
- Minimum 50% marks for SC/ ST/ OBC category candidates
Ph.D. (Geology): Admission Process
Admission to the course is strictly done on the basis of marks obtained by candidates in a master’s degree. However, different universities or colleges have different admission rules.
Some of the universities conduct an entrance examination followed by a round of personal interview for admission to the particular course on the basis of which students are shortlisted.
Latest Ph.D. (Geology) Admission Alert
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Ph.D. (Geology): Syllabus and Course Description
The following table shows the detailed syllabus of the program:
| Name of the Course | Topics Covered |
|---|---|
| Review of Literature | Need and process of a systematic review of Literature to understand Regional and Local-Geology, Geomorphology, Stratigraphy, Structural and Tectonic Setting, Mineral Deposit and Hydrogeology etc. |
| Geological Surveying | Nature and scope, Important Field Equipment, Toposheets, Geological Mapping Methods, Base Map, Collection of Geological and Structural Data |
| Remote Sensing | Application of Remote Sensing Techniques in Geological Studies |
| tSampling | Purposes and Types of Samples, Techniques of Sampling, Sampling Patterns, Preparation of Samples for further studies |
| Microscopy | Preparation and Studies of Thin sections and Polished sections, Types of Microscopes and their Applications in Geology. |
| Geochemical Analysis | Geochemical Techniques and Instruments for Analyses of Rocks, Soils and Water Samples. |
| Geo-Scientific Writing | Pre-Writing Stage: Scientific Paper, Technical Report, Illustrations (Maps, Line Diagrams, Graphs, Photographs) Writing Stage: Qualities of Scientific Paper, Aids to Writing, Writing Practices. Post Writing Stage: Oral and Poster Presentation, Modes of Preparation and use of various kinds of Oral Aids, Poster Presentation |
Ph.D. (Geology): Career Prospects
Geologists can start working in industries related to Mining, Oil and Gas, Minerals and Water Resources. Students can also work in a college and university as a teacher. There are some other areas where students can work like Mineralogy, Volcanology, Hydrology or Oceanography.
The following table shows the various job positions along with corresponding salaries and descriptions:
| Job Position | Job Description | Average Annual Pay Scale in INR |
|---|---|---|
| Petroleum Geologists | The duty of Petroleum Geologists is to discover the location and amount of useful fuel such as Oil and Natural Gas in sediments or reservoirs | 4, 93, 325 |
| Environmental Geologists | They study the Physical characteristics and composition of the earth and its natural resources | 4, 50, 000 |
| Earth Science Teacher | Earth Science Teacher teaches the course in Physical Sciences except Physics and Chemistry | 3, 01, 462 |
| Hydro geologists | They help in the study the location, movement, and quality of water formations below the surface of earth | 5, 00, 000 |
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