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Physical Chemistry is the branch of Chemistry that deals with the physical properties of substance and the laws governing their behavior. This specialized course normally takes 2 years to complete, provided it is a full-time program. The topics in the curriculum include subjects such as Quantum Chemistry, Mathematics for Chemists, Advanced Thermodynamics, Statistical Mechanics, Chemical kinetics and Catalysis, Surface Chemistry, Nuclear and Radiation Chemistry.
CSIR UGC NET for JRF, IIT JAM, GATE in Chemistry discipline, TIFR GS, JEST, and the university’s own test followed by interview and counseling are the entrance exams that are generally accepted for the M.Sc Physical Chemistry course across universities in India. There are many options in the sphere of postgraduate education for the Physical Chemistry program with the difference in the requirements, admissions, and tuition fees.
| Highlights | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Form | Master of Science (M.Sc) in Physical Chemistry |
| Duration | 2 years |
| Course Level | Postgraduate |
| Eligibility | Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry or related field with a minimum aggregate percentage, typically around 50-60% depending on the university |
| Top Colleges | Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore; University of Delhi, Delhi; Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Mumbai; Jadavpur University, Kolkata |
| Entrance Exam | Joint Admission Test for M.Sc (JAM), IIT JAM |
1. The candidate must have passed in B.Sc (Bachelor of Science) examination as one of the main subjects with Chemistry and must have secured minimum 50% of marks in the aggregate from any recognized university.
2. Students who have completed Bachelor of Science in relevant fields such as Industrial Chemistry or Analytical Chemistry may also apply after confirming whether courses under Physical Chemistry were taught in their program.
3. Mathematics as one of the subjects up to B.Sc level is compulsory for most of the students and colleges. As far as the subject is concerned, physics is the preferred choice but not mandatory.
4. It is through an entrance test that is either national or at state level and this is coupled with a counselor’s interview based on merit.
5. There are some colleges where students are offered direct admission in their respective colleges without the entrance test by considering the bachelor’s marks.
6. This mean that reserved category students have concessional percentages on cutoff marks for admissions as per the government rules.
| Subject | Important Topics |
|---|---|
| Quantum Chemistry | Quantum mechanics basics, Atomic structure, Molecular orbitals, Spectroscopy |
| Thermodynamics and Kinetics | Laws of thermodynamics, Statistical thermodynamics, Chemical kinetics |
| Spectroscopy | UV-Vis spectroscopy, IR spectroscopy, NMR spectroscopy |
| Electrochemistry | Electrochemical cells, Electrode potentials, Conductance |
| Molecular Structure and Bonding | Molecular symmetry, Chemical bonding theories, Crystal structure |
| Surface Chemistry | Adsorption, Catalysis, Surface tension, Colloids |
| Computational Chemistry | Molecular modeling, Quantum chemical calculations, Computational methods in chemistry |
| Area of Focus | Job Titles | Average Salary (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Materials Science | Materials Chemist, Polymer Chemist | 4,00,000 - 8,00,000 |
| Catalysis & Chemical Engineering | Catalysis Researcher, Chemical Process Engineer (Physical Chemistry focus) | 4,50,000 - 9,00,000 |
| Energy & Sustainability | Battery Researcher (Electrochemistry), Fuel Cell Scientist | 5,00,000 - 10,00,000 |
| Pharmaceuticals & Drug Discovery | Physical Chemist (Pharmaceutical Industry), Computational Chemist (Drug Design) | 4,00,000 - 8,00,000 |
| Research & Academia | Research Scientist (Physical Chemistry), University Lecturer (Chemistry) | 4,00,000 - 8,00,000 |
