PhD in Agricultural and Biological Engineering is a doctorate course in Agriculture. The course may have a duration of 3 years and it is a full-time course.It is a research-based course. In the PhD in Agricultural and Biological Engineering duration, the candidates get to learn how to produce food, fibre and fuel. This course mainly covers areas like plant genetics, plant physiology, soil sciences, crop management, etc. The students come to know about the fundamentals of agriculture and crop production. In order to be eligible for a PhD Agriculture course, a candidate will have to complete his/her Master’s degree in a related field with a minimum of 55% marks. Every college designs its own eligibility criteria. The admission is either on the basis of the marks acquired by a student in the entrance test or on the basis of their performance in the master degree course.
Course Level | Doctorate |
Full-form | Doctorate of Philosophy in Agriculture |
Duration | 3-5 years |
Eligibility | Postgraduate degree in Agriculture or relevant courses |
Admission Process | Direct Admission or Entrance test and Interview |
Job Positions | Lecturer, Agricultural Officer, Researcher, etc. |
Top Recruiting Areas | Agricultural sectors, fertilizer companies, educational institutes and many more. |
Entrance Test |
UGC NET |
AAU VET |
CSIR UGC NET |
OUAT |
Step 1: Fill the application form | The application forms need to be filled up before the deadline. Otherwise, you will not be able to take admission to the college. |
Step 2: Admission to the college | After the application forms are submitted, a merit list is prepared on the basis of which admissions are done. |
Step 1: Fill the application form | Even if your college conducts an entrance test, you are required to fill up the application form for the entrance test so that you can sit for the test. |
Step 2: Appear for the entrance test | The dates for the entrance test are released by the university shortly after the application deadline. The students need to prepare really well for the entrance test to get a good rank. |
Step 3: Appear for an interview (optional) | The interview process is completely optional. Only a few colleges conduct an interview for the candidates who have cleared the entrance test. It may either be a personal interview or a technical one. |
Step 4: Admission to the college | The candidates who have cleared all the previous stages of the admission process will be allowed to take admission. |
Different PhD Agriculture courses have different eligibility criteria. Let us look at some of the most important PhD Agriculture eligibility criteria for the course:
A candidate must complete his masters in agriculture or any other relevant discipline with a minimum of 50% marks. |
The student must have at least 50% marks in higher secondary and bachelor degree courses. |
If the college organizes an entrance test, the cut-off for the entrance test will have to be cleared. |
In case there is an interview round, the student must perform really well in the interview. |
The duration of a PhD program in Agricultural and Biological Engineering typically takes 4-5 years to complete, depending on the research project's complexity and the student's progress.
Admissions committees evaluate applicants based on their academic record, research experience, GRE scores, letters of recommendation, personal statement, and fit with the program's research interests. They may also consider the applicant's potential for contribution to the field.
1 | The application process for PhD programs in Agricultural and Biological Engineering typically involves the following steps: |
2 | Review the program website and application instructions. |
3 | Prepare application materials, including transcripts, letters of recommendation, personal statement, and resume/CV. |
4 | Submit the online application and pay the application fee. |
5 | Wait for a decision from the admissions committee. |
The application fee for PhD programs in Agricultural and Biological Engineering varies by institution but typically ranges from $50 to $100.
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Graduates of PhD programs in Agricultural and Biological Engineering can pursue a variety of careers, including academic positions at universities, research positions in industry or government agencies, and leadership positions in agricultural and environmental organizations. According to PayScale, the average salary for a PhD holder in Agricultural and Biological Engineering is around $98,000 per year.
Graduates of PhD programs in Agricultural and Biological Engineering can work in a variety of fields, including bioprocessing, bioenergy, precision agriculture, and sustainable farming. They can also pursue careers in academia, government agencies, and non-profit organizations.
Job Profile | Job Description |
Farm manager | Farm managers take care of agricultural farms. They look after the production and sale of agricultural products. |
Research associate | Research associates carry out research activities in various fields related to agriculture. They also perform various advanced experiments. |
Agriculture Officer | An agricultural officer deals with various agricultural offices and looks after agricultural farms and productions. |
Production Manager | The main work of the production manager is to take care of the production and management of agricultural products. |
Lecturer | Lecturers impart knowledge to the students on topics related to agriculture. They may either work in research institutes or conduct their own research. |
Some of the top colleges offering PhD programs in Agricultural and Biological Engineering include:
Q.1 - What is the procedure for PhD Admission to the University?
ANSWER: - The Ph.D. and M.Phil. programs of prestigious Universities are conducted and guided strictly as per the provisions and regulations dictated by the UGC (Minimum Standards and Procedure for Award of Ph.D./M.Phil. Degrees) (1st Amendment) Regulations, 2018 and subsequent amendments. The entire procedure for admission to the research programs encompasses a Research Entrance Exam (RET) and then an Interview/Viva Voce. The performance of a candidate in the RET is given 70% weightage, and the remaining 30% weightage is given to his/her performance at the Interview.
Q.2 - What are the modes of pursuing M.Phil. & Ph.D. programs at the University?
ANSWER: -Both the full-time and part-time modes are available at University for pursuing its Ph.D. programs and only the full-time mode is available for M.Phil. program in the desired subjects/fields. These highly-qualitative and prolific research programs are available in a rather broad range of fields/subjects. At University, the minimum time duration of the M.Phil. and Ph.D. programs is 1.5 Years and 3 Years, respectively, in general.
Q.3 - Are the Ph.D. and M.Phil. Degrees granted by any University valid abroad?
ANSWER: -Yes, of course. If the University is properly recognized under section 2(f) of the UGC Act of 1956 and is a prestigious member of the AIU (the Association of Indian Universities). It is an M.Phil. and Ph.D. degrees granted in various fields/subjects are duly valid across India and the world.
Q.4 - What are the main eligibility criteria for participating in the University Research Entrance Exam (RET)?
ANSWER: -The following are the main eligibility conditions for participating in the RET: - A rigorous Master’s Degree in the proposed subject/field obtained from any recognized university/institution located in India or abroad, with a minimum 55% marks in aggregate or an equivalent grade. Candidates belonging to SC/ST/OBC/Differently-abled categories are given a 5% relaxation in respect of this eligibility criterion. Candidates with an M.Phil. degree in the proposed field/subject, or have qualified for the UGC (JRF) Examinations/ NET/ SET/ SELT, etc., will be allowed to appear directly for the interview, without appearing in the RET. Impressive academic records, and any prior experience in research work, will be given additional advantages.
Q.5 - What relaxations are granted to the reserved categories for Ph.D.? Admission to the University?
ANSWER: - Candidates belonging to the categories of SC/ST/OBC (Non-Creamy layer)/Differently-Abled, and so on, are given all relaxations prescribed by the Govt. of India and the UGC. These relaxations are provided in form of 5% reduced marks for them at post-graduation, and also in the minimum qualifying marks at RET. Thus, candidates belonging to these categories only need to score a minimum of 45% marks at RET, to qualify for the final interview.
Q.6 - How will be the pattern of RET?
ANSWER: - The syllabus or pattern of RET consists of subject-specific matters, research methodology, and aptitude (covering logical reasoning, numerical ability, analytical reasoning, statistics, etc.).Thus, RET will contain a total of 70 multiple-choice questions (MCQs).
Q.7 - Are M.Phil. Holders/UGC- NET (including JRF)/ UGC-CSIR NET (including JRF)/ SLET/ GATE exempted from appearing at RET?
ANSWER: - Yes. The holders of M.Phil. degrees in their respective fields/subjects are made exempt from appearing in RET. The same is the situation in cases of aspiring candidates who have qualified exams like UGC-NET (including JRF)/ UGC-CSIR NET (including JRF)/ SLET/ GATE, etc.
Q.8 - How is the application fee paid?
ANSWER: - The Application Fee (i.e. the fee for getting participated in RET) can be paid online or offline, like the Application Form. Payment Modes: DD (in Favor of the University) / NEFT/ Cash Deposit.
Q.9 - Do working candidates require to obtain NOC from employers for pursuing research at any University?
ANSWER: - Yes, necessarily. Working Professionals who are interested in research at any University are required to obtain the NOC (No Objection Certificate) from their respective employers, in order to avert any intrusion ever during the entire doctoral course.
Q.10 - Does an M.Phil. holder require to undergo Ph.D. coursework?
ANSWER: - Yes. M.Phil. holders are again required to undergo the coursework in Ph.D. at some Universities. However, their prior knowledge in the field/subject will be very supportive to them for learning and performing efficiently during the Ph.D. program.
Q.11 - Can I pay the yearly program/course fee in installments?
ANSWER: - Yes, you can pay the yearly course fee as many as in two installments, but well within the yearly session.
Q.12 - Does Any University provide any scholarship or stipend to pursuing scholars?
ANSWER: - Yes, of course. Many Universities offer scholarships as well as stipends to meritorious and talented candidates who undertake research studies at the University. Scholarships are granted to those candidates who come under the top 21 by scoring higher marks in RET and interviews. And, stipends are provided to those scholars who also give lectures to UG or PG students at the University, in addition to doing their Ph.D. coursework. The amount of the monthly stipend will be commensurate with the candidate’s qualifications and capabilities and may go up to Rs. 20,000.
Q.13 - What other many facilities are provided to research scholars at the University Campus?
ANSWER: - All necessary and constructive resources, amenities, and facilities are offered by well-established and prestigious universities to research scholars in various streams/subjects. These facilities include the following - spacious and peaceful study rooms, erudite and well-experienced academicians and research experts, Wi-Fi and diverse IT devices, state-of-the-art laboratories, well-stocked libraries, lavish R&D amenities, separate amenities for lodging and foods for male and female candidates, peaceful and constructive environment within the university campus, and many other comforting and convenient facilities and services.