PHD IN OPTICS/PHOTONICS

Everything You Need to Know About Getting Your Doctorate in Optics or Photonics, Including the Most Important Details Like the Application Procedure, Tuition, and Job Prospects

Do you have a deep interest in Optics/Photonics and hope to earn a doctorate degree in this area? If that's the case, you're in the right place. In this article, you will find a detailed breakdown of the steps required to earn a doctorate in optics and photonics.

PHD IN OPTICS/PHOTONICS Introduction

Optics and photonics are subfields of physics concerned with light and its properties. It is a popular area of study because of the wide range of industries that can benefit from its knowledge and practise. Earning a doctorate in optics and photonics can open doors to interesting research and rewarding professional opportunities.

PHD IN OPTICS/PHOTONICS Highlights

Getting a doctorate in optics or photonics can open doors to exciting career opportunities. Some of the highlights of the show are as follows:

Possibilities for original research and significant contributions to the field are plentiful for those with a PhD in Optics or Photonics.

Opportunities in Research, Teaching, and Industry are Just Some of the Fields Open to Those with a Ph.D. in Optics/Photonics.

Earning potential is high for those who earn a doctorate in optics and photonics because of the widespread application of these disciplines.

PHD IN OPTICS/PHOTONICS Admissions Test

You need to do well on the qualifying exam if you want to get your doctorate in Optics or Photonics. Many schools and labs contribute to the admissions process by administering the test. Questions on the exam typically centre around these three disciplines: physics, optics, and mathematics.

PHD IN OPTICS/PHOTONICS Admission

You need to fulfil the prerequisites and do well on the admissions test before you can enrol in a PhD programme in Optics/Photonics. Interviews and personal essays are optional but encouraged components of the application process.

PHD IN OPTICS/PHOTONICS Eligibility

A Master's degree in a closely related field, such as physics, engineering, or mathematics, is required to enter a PhD programme in Optics/Photonics. You'll need a solid academic background and to do well on the entrance exam, too.

PHD IN OPTICS/PHOTONICS Duration

Optics and photonics PhD programmes typically last between three and five years to complete. University and research centre factors can affect the time frame.

PHD IN OPTICS/PHOTONICS Standards for Acceptance

Your research experience, GPA, and test scores may all play a role in your acceptance to a doctoral programme in optics and photonics. Your interview and personal statement may also be taken into account by some schools.

PHD IN OPTICS/PHOTONICS Steps to Apply

Before submitting a PhD application in Optics/Photonics, prospective students should investigate the program's prerequisites and application requirements. Applying is easy; just fill out the online application and upload the necessary materials.

PHD IN OPTICS/PHOTONICS Form For Applying

Personal information, academic history, research experience, and a personal statement are all standard items on a PhD application form in Optics/Photonics. There could also be an application fee.

PHD IN OPTICS/PHOTONICS Method of Application

There may be an entrance exam, an interview, and the submission of required documents involved in applying to a PhD programme in Optics/Photonics. There could also be an application and/or entrance exam fee.

Cost The cost of a doctoral degree in optics or photonics varies by institution. Tuition, testing, room and board, and any other associated costs may be included in the total.

PHD IN OPTICS/PHOTONICS Syllabus

Curriculum Outline for Doctoral Study in Optics

Eligibility Criteria for PHD

Aspirants are eligible to pursue a Ph.D. course only if they have completed their master’s degree in a similar course/ field/stream in which they want to pursue a Ph.D. Some colleges also specify that candidates need to have completed an MPhil to pursue a Ph.D. course offered by them. Apart from this, many colleges state that candidates meet the eligibility criteria for Ph.D. programs offered by them if they have cleared UGC NET. Candidates who want to pursue a Ph.D. in Engineering need to possess a valid GATE score. There are various categories of Ph.D. candidates. Some of the types of Ph.D. candidates are listed below:

Full-Time Research Scholars

Government/ Semi-Government Fellowship Recipients

Ph.D. scholars who fall under this category are offered financial assistance under Government/ Semi-Government fellowship schemes.

Institute research Scholars with Teaching Assistants

Aspirants falling under this category of Ph.D. scholars are offered Institute Teaching Assistantship as specified by the MHRD.

Self-financed Candidates (Indian/ Foreign)

Indian self-financed candidates are offered a seat in doctoral programs offered at institutes depending on their track

record and experience. Such candidates are offered admission in Ph.D. programs offered by the institute by taking part in the normal admission process for Ph.D. courses but such candidates do not receive any financial assistance from the institute.

Foreign self-financed candidates are offered admission through the embassy of their respective country only after they get the necessary 'no objection certificate' from MHRD, Govt of India, and other necessary approvals from India's Ministry of External Affairs.

Sponsored Candidates

Aspirants falling under this category of Ph.D. scholars are sponsored by (recognized) Research and Development organizations to do full-time research at the concerned institute.

Study Leave Candidates

Aspirants falling under this category are given study leave by Government institutes/ companies/ educational institutes for a time duration of fewer than three years to perform research work at the specified institute. A letter of leave provided by the candidate's institute/ company is necessary to secure admission as a Ph.D. scholar in this category.

ICCR Awardees

Foreign candidates who are sponsored by their respective government are awarded a seat in a Ph.D. course under the Indian Council of Cultural Relations (ICCR) award holders’ category if they have been awarded a scholarship by their government.

Part-Time Research Scholars

Candidates who seek admission under part-time research scholars at an institute are offered admission under the below-mentioned categories:

Research Assistants

Institute staff/ Faculty

Project Staff

External Sponsored Candidates

PHD Admission Process

In order to secure admission in Ph.D. or research programs offered by the educational institute, aspirants need to go through the below-mentioned steps:

Step 1: Visit the official website of the educational institute and go through all the details of the Ph.D. courses offered by the institute and select the area of research that the candidate wants to pursue.

Step 2: Candidates need to keep an eye out for any admission advertisement in newspapers or visit the official website of the university to fill the application form for admission in the course of their choice. Usually, the admission notification is released 4-5 months before the commencement of the course cycle.

Step 3: Next, candidates need to fill and submit their application forms for the Ph.D. course as per the schedule shared by the educational institute. Aspirants also need to ensure that they pay the application fee on time and submit all the required documents along with their application forms for Ph.D. admissions.

Step 4: Some educational institutes also specify that candidates need to submit a research proposal along with their application form. The application form along with the research proposal is submitted at the Research Unit of the educational institute where scrutiny of the application is conducted.

Step 5: After scrutiny of the Ph.D. course application form is complete then most of the educational institutes shortlist the names of the candidates who need to appear for the entrance exam and other admission rounds that are conducted for shortlisting aspirants for admission in Ph.D. programs offered by them.

Step 6: Candidates who are selected for Ph.D. programs on the basis of the admission rounds are then assigned supervisors/ guides for their Ph.D. research.

PHD Course Structure

Steps that candidates need to follow when pursuing a Ph.D. course in order to be conferred a Ph.D. degree are listed below:

Once candidates are selected for Ph.D. courses offered at educational institutes they need to submit their Research Proposal along with their Research Topic.

Then, candidates are allocated a research supervisor/ guide.

After this candidates are provided details of the Course Work, evaluation methodology, and the teaching schedule by the Research Programme Coordinator/ Guide/ Supervisor.

While performing research work most educational institutes require aspirants to submit six-month progress reports for their research work.

Further, as a Research Student one needs to give at least two seminar presentations as part of their tenure as a Research Scholar and thereafter submit a Certificate in the prescribed format to the Research Unit.

Next, Ph.D. students need to publish at least one research paper in a peer-reviewed/refereed Journal and also submit a Certificate in the prescribed format to the Research Unit before they submit their Ph.D. thesis.

Before aspirants submit their thesis, their supervisor or guide will organize a Pre-submission Seminar. This seminar will be open to all. As part of this seminar, a report will be submitted which will include suggestions for improvement and the supervisor would ensure that candidates incorporate all these suggestions in the final thesis.

Candidates then need to incorporate all the changes and submit a summary of their thesis to their supervisor or guide at least 45 days before the submission of the thesis.

Finally, candidates need to submit their thesis in hard copy as well as soft copy. This thesis will be examined by external experts. In case any expert suggests any modifications in the research paper submitted by the candidate then he/ she needs to re-submit a modified thesis.

Next, a viva-voce is conducted wherein candidates can openly defend their thesis and present their point of view before a panel of experts.

Candidates who complete all these steps to perfection would only be conferred a Ph.D. degree.

PHD Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q. How many years does it take to have a PHD?

A. Ph.D. courses take a maximum of five to six years. However, the duration may vary as per the institute where the students have applied.

Q. Can I finish my PHD in four years?

A. There is a possibility that a student can finish off his/her Ph.D. in four years, but that completely depends on the chosen degree and institute.

Q. Will I be paid for PHD?

A. Yes. Most Ph.D. degrees offer stipends to students. The amount varies as per the degree chosen by the candidates for the doctorate.

Q. What is a PHD course?

A. Ph.D. is the short form of Doctor of Philosophy and to be eligible, the students are required to have completed their Master’s degree.

Q. Do I need to qualify for an entrance exam for PHD admissions?

A. No. Students are not required to qualify for any entrance exam for Ph.D. admissions.

Q. How can I get a fellowship for PHD?

A. Students can get fellowships by attempting and qualifying entrance exams such as UGC-NET, GATE, and more.

Q. What are the required skillset for PHD?

A. Students should be dedicated and good at research for Ph.D. Additionally; they should also be self-motivated and good at writing all the reports and their thesis, which they will prepare.

Q. How can I get PHD admission?

A. For Ph.D. admissions, the students will have to apply at the official website of the institute they prefer. Some institutes may also ask for research proposals to select the students for admission into their institute.

Q. How is the course flow of PHD?

A. After admissions, the students will have to work on their research proposal along with their allotted supervisor/guide. Students will have to participate in seminars and research papers while preparing their thesis. The final thesis will have to be submitted as a hard copy as well as a soft copy. A viva-voce will be conducted where the students will have to defend their thesis.

Q. Is a person with PHD a doctor?

A. No. A person with Ph.D. has completed his/her Doctorate of Philosophy while a doctor has completed his education in Medicine and works to help other people with their medical conditions.

Q. Do I need MPhil to apply for PHD?

A. Most of the colleges accept students with a Master’s degree for Ph.D. However, some institutes may require MPhil for Ph.D. admissions.