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Duration
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Eligibility
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Fees
Admission Open 2025 | Doctorate Degree (Ph.D) in Geology
About the PhD in Geology
A Ph.D. in Geology related to mining engineering focuses on geological research in areas such as stratigraphy, mineralogy, petrology, geochemistry, and structural geology, with applications in ore body formation and resource characterization for mining.
Programme Overview
The objective of a PhD in Geology is to expand the understanding of Earth processes and materials by developing expertise in a specialized area and producing original research. It prepares students to:
- Contribute significantly to academia, industry, or interdisciplinary fields such as environmental science, mining, and energy exploration.
- Formulate and investigate new geological theories or solve unresolved problems in areas like tectonics, mineralogy, or geophysics.
- Apply geological techniques to real-world challenges, including resource management, environmental preservation, and natural hazard mitigation.
- Produce a dissertation that provides novel insights into geological processes, resource exploration, or Earth system dynamics.
- M.Sc. in Geology or equivalent degree with 55% marks (50% for reserved categories).
- Preference will be given to candidates who have cleared UGC-NET/GATE (including JRF) or equivalent examinations.
- Minimum Duration: 3 years, including coursework.
- Maximum Duration: 6 years, with extensions provided as per UGC regulations.
The core of a PhD in Geology is independent, original research, culminating in a dissertation. Preferred research areas include:
Preferred research areas
- Paleoenvironmental Studies
- Economic Geology/Resource Estimation and Evaluation
- Geochemistry
- Hydrogeology
- Sedimentology
- Stratigraphy
The Ph.D. in Geology opens doors to numerous career opportunities:
- Academia: Positions such as professor, lecturer, or researcher in geology departments, focusing on teaching and conducting research in specialized areas like mineralogy, paleontology, or tectonics.
- Industry: Roles in sectors like mining, oil and gas exploration, environmental consulting, and resource management, focusing on geological analysis, exploration, and project management.
- Government and Policy: Positions in geological surveys, environmental agencies, and government organizations, contributing to natural resource management, disaster risk assessment, and environmental protection.
- Interdisciplinary Research: Collaborations with fields like environmental science, engineering, and climate change, focusing on issues such as sustainable resource use, environmental conservation, and natural hazard prediction.
The Selection procedure is based on Entrance exam and Interview.
- The Entrance Examination is MCQ based. There are two sections. First section consists of 50 MCQ based on General Awareness and Research Methodology. Second section consists of 50 MCQ questions based on subject domain knowledge. Candidates with an overall score of 50% or higher in the General category and 45% or higher in the SC/ST/OBC category will be eligible for an interview.
- Admission process will be followed by Personal Interview (PI).Every eligible candidate interested in pursuing a Ph.D. in Geology will be required to appear in an interview conducted by the University’s Committee.
The coursework is structured to align with UGC guidelines, ensuring comprehensive research training.
Coursework Components
- Research Methodology
- Involves fieldwork, laboratory analysis, and geophysical surveys, along with quantitative and qualitative data analysis to study geological processes.
- Develops skills in hypothesis formulation, data interpretation, and academic writing to effectively communicate geological research findings.
- One Core Paper Related to the Discipline of Research
- Includes geological modeling, geophysical methods, rock mechanics, fluid dynamics, and geostatistics, focusing on Paleoenvironmental Studies, Economic Geology, Geochemistry, Hydrogeology, Sedimentology, and Stratigraphy.
- These courses solidify foundational knowledge and provide specialized techniques for advanced research in resource estimation, environmental reconstruction, groundwater modeling, sediment analysis, and stratigraphic studies.
- Research and Publication Ethics (RPE)
- Provides a thorough understanding of ethical research practices and publication norms.
- Topics include plagiarism prevention, intellectual property rights, and research integrity.
- Research Training (Review Paper)
Online Mode:
- Visit umu.ac.in
- Click on Apply Online
- Register with required details
- Click on Submit
- Login & fill the application form
Offline Mode:
- Visit umu.ac.in
- Download the Application Form
- Take Print out
- Send the soft copy through email or hard copy via Courier
PhD in Geology Program Admission 2025 Selection Procedure
Entrance Exam:
The Entrance examination is designed to evaluate a candidate’s aptitude and subject knowledge:
- Exam Format: The question paper is divided into two sections, each worth 50 marks.
Section 1: 50 MCQs on General Awareness and Research Methodology (50%).
Section 2: 50 MCQs on Subject-specific knowledge in mechanical engineering (50%)
Eligibility for Interview:
- Candidates must score 50% or higher in the General category and 45% or higher in the SC/ST/OBC category to qualify for the interview.
- Note: Candidates with an M.Phil. degree or those who have cleared JEST, UGC-NET, or GATE are exempt from the entrance examination but must register with the university and participate in the interview as per UGC guidelines.
Interview:
- Eligible candidates must appear for a Personal Interview (PI) conducted by the University’s Selection Committee:
- The interview carries 50 marks and assesses the candidate’s research aptitude, subject knowledge, and alignment with program objectives.
- The final merit list is determined by the combined score of the entrance exam and the interview.
Research Mode Options:
- Full-Time: Candidates with fellowships from universities or other organizations typically engage in full-time research.
- Part-Time: Candidates employed in educational or research institutions may opt for part-time research while fulfilling their professional obligations.
- Part-time students are expected to visit the University Campus in Ranchi as needed for their research activities.
This structure ensures that scholars have the flexibility to pursue their research aspirations while contributing to academia, industry, or innovation-driven sectors.