PhD in Data Sciences for Global Health

Course Structure and Timelines

The students must complete six core courses covering three main subjects (24 credits) during the first year. Before the end of their second year, students will defend their thesis proposal and research plan. From their third year onwards, PhD candidates will present their work at seminars, conduct fieldwork, and communicate their research outcomes through research papers that will together form a PhD dissertation. Students must maintain a minimum grade of D and CGPA of 5.50 in all semesters. Each academic year will have two semesters.

First year (first and second semester)

The students must complete six courses, covering three main subjects (totalling 24 credits):

• Global Health
• Data Sciences
• Health Economics and Policy

The coursework for the first year is expected to help students build a strong theoretical foundation in global health and equip them with skills in data management and analysis.

A qualifying exam will be held at the end of the first year. Students will be promoted to the second year only if they pass at least two of their main subjects. The qualifying exam will align with the coursework the candidates have pursued. The exam will include a written test and viva on the courses taught. BITS Pilani and OHT will jointly conduct both exams. The students must maintain a minimum grade of D and CGPA of 5.50 throughout all semesters.

The first year may be conducted at BITS Pilani campus.

Second year (third and fourth semester)

Students are strongly encouraged to find potential advisor(s) during their second year. Their main advisor will be from BITS Pilani, while the co-advisor will be from OHT. Students will also choose a two-member doctoral advisory committee (DAC) from the faculty members of BITS and OHT.

Students will draft a detailed research proposal to undertake thesis work and submit to their advisory committee for review. The students should take independent study/classes from faculty members from BITS Pilani or OHT, in their research areas of interest (directed individual study), as they work on their research proposal and papers.

A rotation method can be used to learn from various faculty members. Students are also encouraged to learn grant writing from their notional supervisor(s) and apply for research grants. At the end of each semester, students are expected to submit term papers based on their research.

A candidacy/oral exam will be held at the end of the second year. The exam will include an oral presentation on the research proposal developed throughout the year. The proposal will be defended in the presence of a peer group and faculty of the concerned departments. Following the approval, the students can register their proposal for thesis units (maximum of 10 units per semester). A minimum of 40 thesis units should be completed to submit the thesis for examination.

The first year will be conducted in BITS Pilani and OHT campus.

Third year through finishing the PhD program (fifth semester and beyond)

Students are expected to present their progress at least twice each semester to their supervisors and the DAC. They are also expected to submit progress reports to their respective DAC members at least once per semester. Students are encouraged to present their research at seminars or conferences organized by BITS Pilani, OHT, and elsewhere.

• Field Work: Students are encouraged to undertake field visits depending on their thesis topic. They may conduct quantitative or qualitative data collection corresponding to their research interests.
• Dissertation Defense: The student will prepare their thesis in consultation with their team of supervisors and present/defend to their DAC. They will be required to write three research papers, which will form their dissertation, and publish in peer-reviewed journals to graduate.

All PhD students must submit their thesis report within five years of starting their research for successful completion of the program. Students may be allowed to seek an extension from the doctoral counseling committee through their doctoral research committee (DRC), based on the project requirements and individual circumstances. 

Application Process

Applications to the PhD program are invited from candidates with a master’s degree in any basic science or liberal arts discipline. We also accept applications from candidates with a bachelor’s degree in medical, dental, veterinary, pharmaceutical, or alternative health sciences and engineering. Applicants from other fields are also encouraged to apply.

The minimum eligibility requirements for admission are as follows:

• ME / MTech / MPharm / MBA / MPhil: minimum of 60% aggregate
• MSc / BE / BPharm or an equivalent degree: minimum of 60% aggregate
• MA: minimum of 55% aggregate
• MBBS / BDS / BVSc / MD / MDS / MVSc / BAMS / BHMS / BUMS / allied

Applicants should submit the following:

Statement of research purpose (maximum two pages), indicating the candidate’s academic background, broad research interests, career goals, and how a PhD in Data Sciences for Global Health from BITS Pilani–OHT will advance their career goals.

Two letters of recommendation

The shortlisted applicants will be interviewed about their knowledge of global health, data sciences, and research interests. OHT will participate in the interviewing panel. There will be no written exam, but grades from previous written exams will be considered.

If you have any questions, please get in touch with [email protected]

1. Is there a fee to apply for this program?

The application fee is around INR 2,600.

2. What is the application deadline?

The application deadline is typically in September-October with the semester starting in late December or early January.

3. Am I eligible to apply for this program?

We welcome applications from all professional, geographic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds, with no age restriction.

Minimum eligibility criteria:

• ME/MTech/MPharm/MBA/MPhil/MSc/BE/BPharm or an equivalent degree: minimum of 60 percent aggregate
• MA: minimum of 55 percent aggregate
• MBBS/BDS/BVSc/MD/MDS/MVSc/BAMS/BHMS/BUMS/allied: minimum of 55 percent aggregate.

4. My previous degree is from outside of India. What documents will I need to submit for registration if I am accepted?

International students will be required to provide an appropriate grade conversion to the Indian grading system, which has to meet the eligibility listed above.

Please check https://www.bitsadmission.com/phdmainds.aspx for further details:

5. Will the selection process include an interview?

Shortlisted applicants will be interviewed about their knowledge of global health, data sciences, and research interests. No written exam will be conducted, but grades from previous degrees (transcripts), statements of purpose (SOPs), and letters of recommendation (LORs) will be required.

6. What is the expected time within which I can expect to receive a decision on my application?

You can expect to receive a decision on your application within six to eight weeks after the close of the application window.

8. Is this an on-campus full-time program or a hybrid program?

This PhD is offered only as an on-campus full-time program.

9. Is it possible to change your supervisor after being assigned one at the time of offer of acceptance?

You will need to file a formal request for a change of supervisor and pending approval from an internal committee at BITS Pilani, you can change your assigned supervisor.

10. What are the locations of the BITS Pilani campuses that offer courses applicable to this program?

You can find the addresses for each campus below:

BITS Pilani, Hyderabad Campus

Jawaharnagar, Shamirpet Mandal
Medchal-Malkajgiri District
Hyderabad 500078
Telangana

Google Maps

BITS Pilani, Goa Campus

NH 17B, Bypass, Road
Zuarinagar, Sancoale
Goa 403726

Google Maps

BITS Pilani, Pilani Campus

Vidya Vihar
Pilani
Rajasthan 333031

Google Maps

11. What is the fee structure for this program?

The following are the details of the fees in INR payable by all students admitted to the PhD Program in the academic year 2022-2023 at BITS- Pilani.

The following fee structure is tentative and subject to change.

* Payable at the time of admission; ^# Payable at the time of thesis submission

12. What are the potential sources of financial assistance given to PhD students?

Students will be eligible for the following, to support the living expenses during the course of the program.

• Self-funded fellowships such as UGC/CSIR NET JRF, DBT JRF/SRF, ICMR JRF/SRF, DST Inspire
• BITS Pilani Fellowship (stipend) which is tied to teaching assistantship (TA).

13. What is the expected stipend?

All admitted students who do not have self-funded fellowships will receive a BITS Pilani Fellowship (amount ranging from INR 34,000/month during the first year to INR 37,000 provided for up to five years from the date of admission). This may be subject to change and is usually aligned with the norms of the Government of India.

14. If I have a self-funded fellowship such as JRF/SRF, will I still be expected to have teaching duties on the BITS campus?

Yes, you will still be required to carry out TA duties.

15. As part of being a TA, how many hours of classes am I expected to assist in a week?

On an average, approximately 8 hours a week.

16. Does OHT provide research assistantships (RA) to complement the stipend?

Yes, OHT provides research opportunities to PhD students to earn additional income on top of their stipend.

17. Does BITS Pilani or OHT provide on-campus accommodation?

Yes, on-campus accommodation will be provided.