PhD in Zoology – Eligibility, Scope, and More

PhD in Zoology – Eligibility, Scope, and More

The PhD in Zoology is a 3-year PhD degree in Zoology. As an empirical field, Zoology comprises organisms, their structural classifications, and the science of their environmental life. The sector is broken into a few sub-branches, such as:

  • Ichthyology:  Study of fish and their habitats
  • Ornithology:  Study of birds
  • Mammalogy:  Study of mammals.

In some instances, a Master’s degree in the discipline is the minimum eligibility to follow the course and M.Phil.

Besides a 5-year teaching/industry/administrative/professional experience at the senior level, qualifying candidates seeking to follow the course must have earned a Master’s degree in the appropriate discipline with a minimum aggregate score of 55 per cent (50 per cent for SC/ST/PH students) or an equivalent award from a recognised university/institute of higher learning.

Adding to evolutionary patterns, species and attributes, and the composition, functioning, actions, and development of organisms, including living beings, the PhD course is tailored for students seeking to research animal behaviour at an advanced level and as an academic specialisation.

How to apply for PhD abroad?

Colleges

NIRF Rank(Overall)College NameCityAverage Annual FeesAverage Placement Package
6IIT KanpurKanpurINR 64,050INR 10.2 LPA
10Banaras Hindu UniversityBanarasINR 22,860INR 8 LPA
12Jadavpur UniversityKolkataINR 2,400INR 19.2 LPA
82Shiv Nadar UniversityGreater NoidaINR 1.6 LINR 7.5 L

Television networks such as National Geographic, Animal World, and Discovery Channel provides such professionals with numerous documentary filmmaking platforms.

They can work in schools and colleges as teachers/ lecturers, sometimes upon qualifying for the NET Test. Such practitioners can also enter chemical, pharmaceutical, and petroleum firms for jobs.

Ideal applicants for the course must use suitable methods and resources to provide data-handling abilities such as tracking, collecting, and reviewing data. They must have written communication experience, interpretation and oral communication skills, such as communicating test outcomes and conducting presentations in a simple, coherent manner. They must have project management expertise, such as academic projects planning and working, studies, etc. (including budgeting, contingency planning, and time management).

PhD in Zoology Course Highlights

Course LevelDoctorate
Duration of the Course3 Years
Examination TypeSemester System
EligibilityPost-graduation
Admission ProcessBased on shortlisted candidates’ performance in the round of interview.
Course FeeINR 2, 000 – 8 Lacs
Average Starting SalaryINR 1.5 Lacs- 6 Lacs per annum
Top Recruiting CompaniesWildlife Sanctuaries, National Parks, Botanical Gardens, Zoos, Research Laboratories, Aquariums, Animal Clinics, Fisheries and Aquaculture, Museums, Pharmaceutical Companies, Veterinary Hospitals
Job PositionsAnimal Caretaker, Conservationist, Animal Rehabilitator, Documentary Maker, Researcher, Animal, Behaviourist, Animal & Wildlife Educator, Forensic Expert, Animal Trainer, Lab Technician, Zoo Curator, Animal Breeder, Wildlife Biologist, Veterinarian, ZooKeeper, and such

PhD in Zoology Eligibility

As a minimum qualifying requirement, the following minimum eligibility requirements are to be fulfilled for aspiring candidates:

  • Postgraduate degree completed from a recognised institute/university in a specific discipline.
  • A 55 per cent minimum composite score (50 per cent for SC/ST/PH hopefuls) or equivalent grade at post-graduation level.
  • At least five years of senior-level teaching/ industry/administrative/professional experience.

Fully Funded PhD Programs

PhD in Zoology Admission Process

The applicant has to be careful of the criteria of the institution he/she is aiming for. Fill out the college’s application form and then take the steps below.

  • Appear for the related written exam.
  • A round of personal interviews may or may not be available.
  • The success could be taken into consideration in a related qualifying review.
  • In a related nation-wide screening examination, applicants are shortlisted based on both academic background and results, such as:
  • UGC (NET/JRF)
  • CSIR(NET/JRF)
  • ICAR (JRF/SRF)
  • SLET
  • GATE
  • GPAT
  • ICAR entrance tests

PhD in Zoology Entrance Exam

Accessible entry exams for PhD zoology are listed below along with other related information:

Entrance ExamExam DateApplication DateExam ModeConducting Body
UGC(NET/JRF)16-18 Sep ‘20 21-25 Sep ‘2016 Mar- 30 Jun ‘20OnlineNTA
CSIR(NET/JRF)The second week of November22 Aug – 10 Sep ‘20OnlineNTA
SLETDepends on the stateDepends on the stateOnlineNTA
GATE6-7 Feb ‘21 13-14 Feb ‘2111 Sep – 7 Oct ‘20OnlineNCB-GATE
ICAR23 Sep 20201 Mar – 30 Jun ‘20OnlineNTA
GPAT22/27 Feb 202123 Dec ‘20 – 22 Jan ‘21OnlineNTA

Exam Pattern of top Entrance Exams for PhD IN Zoology:

Here are the test patterns for the highest PhD Zoology Entry Exams:

  • UGC NET Entrance Exam: Each of the two papers is 3 hours long.
  • Paper 1: This is a 3-hour test that is standard with all applicants. 50 (Single right form MCQ) with +2 and 0 negative markings are the total number of questions. The paper has a mark of 100.
  • Paper 2: It is an analysis for 3 hours that is subject-specific. 100(Single right form MCQ) with +2 and 0 negative markings are the total number of questions. The paper has a value of 200.
  • CSIR NET Entrance Exam: 
SectionNo of Questions to be attempted/Total+/- Marks for each QuestionTotal Marks for the Section
A15/20+2/-0.530
B35/50+2/-0.570
C25/75+4/-1100
Total75/145200

To Get Admission in a Good College for PhD IN Zoology:

Here is the method for getting into a decent college for PhD Zoology:

  • Study on the admission test that the college accepts.
  • Look for the examination’s trend and plan accordingly.
  • See if, aside from the entrance exam, there are several further rounds of the admission process.
  • Prepare for the interview in person.
  • One of the most important things to remember is that the higher the entrance exam grade, the better the ability to get into the dream institute.
  • Make sure to possess and confidently demonstrate data-handling abilities such as capturing, collating, and reviewing data using suitable techniques and equipment.

Preparation for the Entrance Exam

The planning process for the PhD Entrance Exams is described below:

  • Analysis of the pattern of the admission test
  • Train in the same period as the test.
  • Get a glance at the examination’s comprehensive syllabus.
  • Thoroughly revise the syllabus of the previous degree.
  • Prepare notes a week or two before the final test, since they are often useful.

PhD in Zoology Scope

Any zoology graduates plan to take a postgraduate test at the Masters or PhD level to have practical experience within their order in a particular area of excitement, such as feral life protection and research, creature science, biology and ecological service, and nature and the standard environment board.

Others plan to do extra focus solely on an alternative territory. Graduates with a degree in any subject have various postgraduate courses available.

In expectation of a lifetime demonstration of science or general science, one can also wish to read for a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) or Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) in Scotland.

There may be several potential benefits of pursuing a PhD in zoology. Not many understudies attain this degree of academic authority, and just as in the industry, the people who do will stand out from their peers on a resume. Like extensive exploration expertise, zoology study will improve modern fundamental speculation capabilities.

Job Opportunities

These postgraduates are engaged in various lucrative technical vocations due to the increasing need for conservation and administration of natural life in today’s society.

For technical study and documentary-making, they are also required. Also, zoologists are working in zoos, wildlife environments, greenhouses, associations for natural resources, national parks, schools, hospitals, aquariums, livestock services, fisheries and aquaculture, historical centres, pharmacy corporations, and veterinary healing centres.

In capacities such as Livestock Behaviourists, Animal Raisers, Animal Handlers, Animal Caretakers, Animal and Nature Educators, Animal Rehabilitators, Conservationists, Video Producers, Forensic Specialists, Lab Technicians, Physicists, Wildlife Biologists, Veterinarians, Zoo Attendants, Zoo Curators, and similar positions, such practitioners are recruited.

Any of the typical career avenues available to such graduates in the private and public sectors, along with the corresponding salaries and specific employment duties, are tabulated below.

List of jobs

Job RoleJob DescriptionAverage Annual Salary (in Rupees)
Animal CaretakerAn Animal Caretaker is responsible for tending to animals’ everyday needs. For pets and other wild animals, eat, cook, bathe, and perform regular workouts. They also work in some environments, from hotels, zoos, stables, pet shops, veterinarian clinics, and aquariums.3,20,000
ConservationistTo ensure natural resources such as soil and water, conservationist partners with landowners and governments. Without abusing nature and biodiversity, they help discover methods for the utilisation of land. Also, they are called Soil and Water Conservationists or Researchers in Preservation/Conservation5,80,000
Forensic ExpertForensic science experts study and analyse physical components, compositions of wild creatures’ anatomies, and undertake physical tests. Blood and other organic liquids, hair, body discharge, medicine, strands, paint, and glass can enable them to function.6,35,000
Wildlife BiologistWild animals and other biodiversity types are studied and investigated by zoologists and wildlife biologists and connected with their biological populations. The physical essence of species, animal practices, and the impact humans have on ecosystems, and their natural environments are witnessed.8,20,000
ZooKeeperThe preservation of the well-being of zoo animals is the responsibility of zookeepers. These administrators often conduct everyday activities with dogs, such as washing, eating, and taking care of their daily physical activity.7,50,000

Why Study PhD Zoology?

For those undergraduates who need to understand creature nature, transformative habits, species and characteristics and the structure, functioning, behaviour and creation of organisms, including living creatures, the Doctorate certification course is useful.

An understudy will discover a worldwide zoological career and some additional travel. For example, National Geographic, Animal Planet and Discovery stations give various open doors for narrative filmmakers and various experts with hardly any TV slots.

They will become separate instructors and speakers in colleges and universities. Also, they should have a NET pass testament and other UGC rules and instructions for entering schools.

They can also go to colleges and academic institutions for research. Moreover, they may enter the professions of synthetic, chemical and oil organizations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. How long does it take to get a PhD in Zoology?

Ans. PhD in Zoology is a three-year program. Zoology is an educational field that   studies animals, their structural categories, and the understanding of their life in the surroundings. 

Q2. What qualifications are required for a PhD in Zoology?

Ans. A Master program in relevant field with at least 55 percent marks or an equivalent qualification from a recognized institute or organization is the fundamental qualifying criterion for completing a Ph. D in Zoology program.

Q3. How does one go about becoming a zoology professor?

Ans. You must have a PHD in Zoology and pass the CSIR NET or CSIR SET for becoming a zoology professor.

Explore More: PhD in USA without GRE