PhD Program in Data Sciences for Global Health

Each academic year has two semesters and is structured as follows:

Year One (first and second semester)

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 will help students build a strong theoretical foundation in global health and equip them with skills in data sciences.

The first year will be conducted at BITS Pilani.

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

Year two (third and fourth semester)

The second year will be conducted at an eligible BITS Pilani campus and OHT headquarters. Students are strongly encouraged to find potential advisor(s). 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 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 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 approval, 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.

Year three through finishing the PhD program (fifth semester and beyond)

Year three marks the commencement of the fifth semester. Students are expected to present their progress at least twice each semester to their supervisors and their 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: Students will prepare their thesis in consultation with their team of supervisors and present/defend for their DAC. They will be required to write three research papers, which will form their dissertation, and publish in peer-reviewed journals to graduate.

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

First cohort

Danny Muzata	Rashmi Nayar	A. Shivram
Swetha Valavarasu

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 sciences, 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 percent aggregate
• 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

Applicants should submit the following:

A 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.

1. When does the new application cycle start?

The next application cycle will begin in March 2025. 

2. Who is eligible for this program?

We welcome applications from all professional, geographic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds. 

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.

3. 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. Please write to the OHT team at [email protected] or the BITS Pilani team at [email protected] for more information.

4. Will the selection process include an interview?

Shortlisted applicants will be interviewed about their knowledge of global health, data sciences, and research interests. Written exams will not be conducted. Grades from previous degrees (transcripts), a statement of purpose, and letters of recommendation will be required.

5. When should I receive a decision on my application?

Applicants will receive a decision on their application within eight weeks following the close of the application window.

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

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

7.  Can the primary focus of the thesis be focused on policy? 

It is critical to have a data science-focused thesis, but we encourage thesis topics that are policy-oriented. 

8. How is the program structured? 

Please refer to the ‘Course Structure’ section. The courses aim to build research skills in data sciences for global health. 

9.  How is PhD candidates’ time allocated between the OHT headquarters and BITS Pilani campuses? 

Time spent at each place can vary depending on a student’s research. 

10. Will there be any funding provided for research? 

We offer institutional fellowships/stipends for the duration of the program to cover living costs. Internal research funds are available and will be competitively awarded. Students can apply for external funding to support their research. Students also have the opportunity to work as part of current research projects at OHT and BITS Pilani. 

11. Is it possible for students to change their supervisor after being assigned one at the time of their acceptance to the program?

Students will need to file a formal request for a change of supervisor and pending approval from an internal committee at BITS, they can change their assigned supervisor. 

12.  Is wet lab research within the scope of this PhD? 

This program focuses on data science, but additional wet lab work can be conducted if required by the thesis topic and supported by research funds.

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

The campuses with courses applicable to the program include: 

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 

14.  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 2024-2025 at BITS- Pilani, Pilani Campus/ KK Birla Goa Campus/ Hyderabad Campus.

* Payable at the time of admission; # payable at the time of thesis submission.

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

Potential sources of financial assistance are: 

• self-funded fellowships, such as UGC/CSIR NET JRF, DBT JRF/SRF, ICMR JRF/SRF, DST Inspire; 
• the BITS institutional fellowship (stipend). 

 16. What is the expected stipend?

Stipends can range from INR 34,000/month during the first year to INR 37,000, provided the duration of the program.

17. If a student has a self-funded fellowship such as JRF/SRF, will they still be expected to conduct teaching duties on the BITS campus?

PhD candidates will be expected to conduct teaching duties even if they have a self-funded fellowship.

18. If a student has a self-funded fellowship such as JRF/SRF, will they be able to receive the BITS Pilani fellowship?

Students will receive either a self-funded fellowship (JRF/SRF) or a BITS institutional fellowship (stipend).

19. As a teaching assistant (TA), how many hours of classes is a student expected to assist in a week?

On average, TAs will work eight hours per week. 

20. Does BITS Pilani or OHT provide accommodation?

Accommodation will be provided for doctoral students at special rates.