Chemistry in Pondicherry University aims to support fundamental science of the highest quality in a first-class physical environment. The Department includes a large number of nationally recognized research groups covering an exceptionally broad spectrum of chemical science ranging from synthetic chemistry to modelling. Our enthusiastic research culture embraces new challenging areas, including strong collaborations with other academic disciplines and institutions, while maintaining a powerful presence in the traditional core areas of chemistry.
The PhD is offered by the Department of Chemistry as a full-time period of research and introduces students to research skills and specialist knowledge. (Applications from part-time students may also be considered but there are attendance requirements and you will need to live close enough to Pondicherry University to fulfill these.) Students are integrated into the research culture of the Department by joining a research group, supervised by one of our academic staff, in one of the following areas of chemistry:
Synthetic Chemistry
Synthetic research at the Pondicherry University is focused on the development of innovative new methods to make and use molecules of function. Ranging from the innovative catalytic strategies to make small molecules, to supramolecular assemblies or the total synthesis of biologically important compounds, our research is diverse, pioneering and internationally leading. The dynamic environment created by the research groups working at the cutting edge of the field makes graduate research at Pondicherry the best place for outstanding and motivated students.
Theoretical & Computational Chemistry
Research in Theoretical Chemistry covers a wide range of length and timescales, including active development of new theoretical and computational tools. The applications include high-resolution spectroscopy, atomic and molecular clusters, biophysics, surface science, and condensed matter, complementing experimental research in the Department. We develop new tools for quantum and classical simulations, informatics, and investigate molecules using descriptions that range from atomic detail to coarse-grained models of mesoscopic matter. This work often begins with analytical theory, which is developed into new computer programs, applied to molecules and materials of contemporary interest, and ultimately compared with experiment.
Materials Chemistry
The technological devices that we depend on, from aero planes to mobile phones, rely upon ever-increasing structural complexity for their function. Designing complex materials for these devices through the art of chemical synthesis brings challenges and opportunities. Members of the Materials Research Interest Group invent new materials in view of potential applications. Modern materials chemistry is a wide ranging topic and includes surfaces, interfaces, polymers, nanoparticles and nonporous materials, self assembly, and biomaterials, with applications relevant to oil recovery and separation, catalysis, photovoltaics, fuel cells and batteries, crystallization and pharmaceutical formulation, gas sorption, energy, functional materials, biocompatible materials, and sensors.
Physical Chemistry
Physical Chemistry at Pondicherry University has two broad but overlapping aims. One is to understand the properties of molecular systems in terms of physical principles. This work underpins many developing technological applications that affect us all, such as nanotechnology, sensors and molecular medicine. The other is computational simulation atmospheric chemistry where the interactions between chemical composition, climate and health are studied using a range of computer modelling and experiment-based approaches. Together these two areas form a richly interdisciplinary subject spanning the full range of scientific methodologies: experimental, theoretical and computational. It is the research area with something for everyone.
Educational aims of the PhD programme:
- Give students with relevant experience at master’s level the opportunity to
carry out focused research in the discipline under close supervision. - Give students the opportunity to acquire or develop skills and expertise
relevant to their research interests. - Provide all students with relevant and useful researcher development
training opportunities to broaden their horizons and properly equip them
for the opportunity which they seek following their PhD studies.
The Department of Chemistry takes very seriously the provision of excellent and relevant graduate education, which will allow students to: (i) choose their own bespoke series of academic lectures and workshops from our extensive and evolving range, directly supporting both research and broader chemistry knowledge base; and (ii) select from many researcher development opportunities to enhance their transferable skill-set and ultimate employability
Our Department also has numerous mentoring and tutoring support structures in place, which students may also choose to take advantage of.
Presentation is an integral and expected part of the experience every PhD student will have within the Department of Chemistry from first-year peer-to-peer presentations through to Departmental symposia at which our second- and third year students present.
Opportunities also exist for students to attend national and international conferences within their field of enquiry.
Assessment
Thesis:
Submission of a thesis, not exceeding 150 pages, including summary or abstract, tables, and footnotes, but excluding table of contents, photographs, diagrams, figure captions, list of figures and diagrams, list of abbreviations, bibliography, appendices and acknowledgements.
Others:
All PhD students are probationary in the first year and progression to the second year (and registration for the PhD) depends on a successful first-year review through two theory papers.
Students shall register CHEM670 as a mandatory theory paper (Paper I) during their first year of their research program. Students shall register one additional paper (Paper II) in consultation with their research guide/mentor. This curriculum also gives contents of various topics. Research supervisors/mentors may recommend one or more courses from this list. Alternatively, research supervisor/mentor may recommend any other course as per their requirements. In addition, research supervisors/mentors shall make necessary arrangements to place the course contents of both Paper-I and Paper-II in the respective doctoral committee for approval.
Students shall write three hours written examination at a mutually convenient date and time. The evaluated grades/marks shall be placed in the Doctoral Committee and uploaded in the university SAMS portal Ph.D. Chemistry
Towards the end of the first year students are required to submit a written progress report. In addition to covering the research work completed during the year this should contain a review of appropriate literature and a clear indication of how the PhD will develop in the second and third years. The report is assessed by two assessors and an oral examination of the report will be undertaken.
Duration:
3-4 years for full-time
5-7 years for part-time
Applicants for this program should have passed a M.Sc. degree from any UGC recognized university/college with minimum 55% of marks or 5.5 points in a seven point scale.
The Pondicherry University requires all applicants to demonstrate competence in the English language at a very high level before they begin their proposed course of study. However, it is not mandatory for programs in foreign languages, Hindi, Sanskrit, Tamil and other Indian languages.
Research fellowship to the tune of ₹ 8000 per month is provided by University for all who not receive other funding. Other financial schemes are also available to meet the minimum expenses.
The expected annual expenses is expected to be about ₹52000 (₹ 16000 as University fees + ₹ 36000 as hostel and maintenance expenses).
There are other fellowship available directly from State and Central government departments and agencies
Application have to be submitted through online portal of the University, which will be generally open between March – June every year. Application may have fees about ₹ 500-1000. If you miss the deadlines specified in the portal, you will not be able to submit your application.
Selection Process
Due to the large volume of applications that the Department of Chemistry receive, we will be considering applications for admission in two rounds. (i) An entrance test some during May every year for short listing and (ii) the Department will be conducting interviews by a panel of at least two academic members of staff on several key dates to identify the top ranked applicants to go forward to the University for admission and further processing.
The entrance examination shall be of online mode for three hours. The examination will have hundred multiple choice questions with varying difficulty levels. The entrance examination questions will be from the following topics.
Inorganic Chemistry Topics: Chemical periodicity, Structure and bonding in homo- and heteronuclear molecules, Concepts of acids and bases, Main group elements and their compounds, Transition elements and coordination compounds, Inner transition elements, Organometallic compounds, Cages and metal clusters, Analytical chemistry, Bioinorganic chemistry, Characterization of inorganic compounds, Nuclear chemistry
Physical Chemistry Topics: Basic principles of quantum mechanics, Approximate methods of quantum mechanics, Atomic structure and spectroscopy, Chemical bonding in diatomic, Chemical applications of group theory, Molecular spectroscopy, Chemical thermodynamics, Statistical thermodynamics, Electrochemistry, Chemical kinetics, Colloids and surfaces, Solid state, Polymer chemistry, Data analysis
Organic Chemistry Topics: IUPAC nomenclature of organic molecules, Principles of stereochemistry, Aromaticity, Organic reactive intermediates, Organic reaction mechanisms, Common named reactions and rearrangements, Organic transformations and reagents, Concepts in organic synthesis, Asymmetric synthesis, Pericyclic reactions, Chemistry involved in natural products, Structure determination of organic compounds
Other Topics: Catalysis and green chemistry, Medicinal chemistry, Chemistry in nanoscience and technology, Environmental chemistry, Supramolecular chemistry,
Recommended Study Material:
Organic Chemistry
Author: Clayden, Greeves, Warren, and Wothers
Publisher: Oxford university Press
Modern methods of Organic synthesis
Author: William Carruthers
Publisher: Cambridge University
Inorganic Chemistry
Author: Shriver and Atkins
Publisher: Oxford
Physical Chemistry
Author: Peter Atkins and Julio De Paula
Publisher: W H Freeman & Co
Advanced Organic Chemistry
Author: March
Publisher: John wiley and sons
Inorganic Chemistry: Principles of Structure and Reactivity
Author: James.E.Huheey , Ellen.A.Keiter, Richard L.Keiter
Publisher: Prentice Hall
Physical Chemistry
Author: K.L.Kapoor (Vol I – V)
Publisher: Macmillan
Stereochemistry of Organic Compounds
Author: Ernest L. Eliel, Samuel H. Wilen
Publisher: Wiley
Molecular Quantum Mechanics
Author: Peter W. Atkins, Ronald S. Friedman
Publisher: Oxford university Press
Concepts and Models of Inorganic Chemistry
Author: Bodie E. Douglas, Darl H.McDaniel, John J. Alexander
Publisher: John Wiley and sons