School of Natural Sciences and Biotechnology
Joint PhD Program in Chemistry Description
The PhD Program in Chemistry is a joint program of the Agricultural University of Georgia (School of Natural Sciences and Biotechnology) and the Free University of Tbilisi (Graduate School of Social and Natural Sciences).
The Free University of Tbilisi and the Agricultural University of Georgia with their combined resources create an ideal environment
for conducting research and educational activities in accordance with international standards, as well as for fostering interdisciplinary studies.
In order to promote interdisciplinary studies, the program entails collaboration with other programs of the Free University of Tbilisi and the Agricultural University of Georgia, namely the PhD programs in Biology, Physics, Engineering and Agricultural Sciences. The program also envisages cooperation with the Free University of Tbilisi Research Institute of Cognitive Neurosciences and the Agricultural University of Georgia's Institute of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Institute of Molecular Genetics, Institute of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Institute of Entomology and relevant laboratories.
This cooperation includes participation in joint research activities, implementation of joint international research, organization of research seminars and involvement of students and professors in international scientific projects.
The program aims to cultivate essential, overarching skills among PhD candidates and foster an academic environment conducive to producing innovative research and generating new knowledge of international scientific significance.
This principle is reflected in the individualized approach of the program, which is clearly expressed in the structure and content of the curriculum as well as in the specifics of the educational planning process.
Upon successful completion of the PhD program, the graduate is awarded the qualification - Doctor of Chemistry. The duration of the program is a minimum of 3 years.
As PhD Program in Chemistry is implemented by the Free University of Tbilisi and the Agricultural University of Georgia, the academic staff of both universities are involved in the management of the programs. Professor Revaz Korashvili of the Agricultural University of Georgia is head of the PhD Program in Chemistry.
Curriculum
The curriculum of the PhD Program in Chemistry consists of two components: an educational component and a research component. The educational component entails 40 credits.
The educational component consists of the following courses:
- Academic Writing for PhD Students
- Preparation of Dissertation Research
- Quantitative Research Methods
- Scientific Project Management
- Teaching in the Higher Education System
- Doctoral Seminars
On the one hand, the educational component consists of courses aimed to equip PhD students with the methodological tools and skills necessary for planning and implementing dissertation research.
On the other hand, the educational component consists of courses aimed to deepen knowledge in relevant fields and subfields of the PhD student's dissertation topic and involve in-depth processing of relevant scientific literature. Doctoral Seminars are educational components tailored to the student's individual interests, which, in parallel to the work with their advisor and individual research, allows PhD students to delve into specific fields, subfields, or interdisciplinary problems (depending on the topic's specificity), process literature, deepen knowledge, and develop a conceptual and methodological framework relevant to the research topic.
The research component entails the PhD students seeking and familiarizing themselves with scientific literature relevant to their dissertation topic, reviewing existing knowledge, forming and testing hypotheses, collecting and analyzing data, and executing, presenting and defending their dissertations. The research component also includes mandatory publication.
Within the framework of the research component, the program ensures that PhD students have continuous interaction with specialists across various fields and subfields and constantly receive feedback from professors of their and/or adjacent fields.
How to apply to the Joint PhD Program in Chemistry?
Applicants for the PhD Program in Chemistry will need the following documents to complete the application:
- CV
- Copy of diplomas (Bachelor’s and Master’s)
- English language certificate (if applicable) and any other certificate that may be relevant to the application (these documents should be uploaded in PDF file format only)
- Copy of ID card (pdf, png or jpg)
- Photo - png or jpg format
Advice to Applicants
The cover letter and research project description are the most important elements of a PhD application. The review committee places the greatest emphasis on the applicant's motivation for conducting doctoral research when making their decision. They also consider the applicant's familiarity with the research topic, the value and innovation of the proposed topic, and the understanding of the research approach or methodology involved.
In the research project description, the applicant should connect the topic with existing problems in science and society, and clearly justify why new research and knowledge in this area are important.
About the School
The Agricultural University of Georgia School of Natural Sciences and Biotechnology offers 4 bachelor's programs:
- Bachelor’s Program in Chemistry
- Bachelor’s Program in Biology
- Bachelor’s Program in Food Technology
- Bachelor’s Program in Viticulture-Winemaking
Additionally, the School of Natural Sciences and Biotechnology offers the following:
- Master’s Program in Agricultural Sciences with the School of Agronomy and Landscape Management
- PhD Program in Agricultural Sciences with the School of Veterinary Medicine and the School of Agronomy and Landscape Management
The School of Natural Sciences and Biotechnology programs emphasize laboratory and hands-on learning. Laboratory and practical studies are conducted using the action-based teaching method (learning-by-doing), allowing students to learn the profession through individual work, completing tasks, tests, and analysis independently. Additionally, student groups in laboratory studies are limited to no more than 20 people, which in turn positively impacts learning outcomes.
Students at the School of Natural Sciences and Biotechnology engage in laboratory and practical studies in the fields of physics, chemistry, biology, food technology, microbiology and other subjects at teaching laboratories located at Kakha Bendukidze Campus.
Student's of the Bachelor’s Program in Viticulture-Winemaking are also provided lectures and practical training at the Agricultural University of Georgia Viticulture and Winemaking Academy and its winery, where they create their own signature wines through independent work.
In addition to the campus teaching laboratories, the students of the Bachelor's Program in Food Technology also have practical lessons at the Culinary Academy of the Agricultural University of Georgia.
Additionally, many of the school's faculty are directly and actively involved in research, including significant international projects, within the infrastructure of the Agricultural University of Georgia's scientific institutes. This involvement provides students with the opportunity to engage in scientific research from the undergraduate level, if they wish to do so. It also offers a valuable opportunity for students in master's and doctoral programs to conduct in-depth research alongside experienced researchers.
Dean
Head of the program
Coordinator
