PhD course does not match research

[Vytcus]

Hey peeps,

Recently started a PhD in the field which interests me. I'll be investigating the genetic and molecular basis on how two strains of the same species of bacteria elicit differential effects on gastrointestinal barrier function. The research will involve me doing cell culture, co-culture bacterial and mammalian cell, protein isolation and comparative genomics of the two strains. Everything is looking awesome and I should come out of it with a lot of useful skills in the Life Sciences.

However, I have this one small worry. My PhD course is listed as "Nutritional Science" which does not really reflect the research in my opinion. And apparently it's difficult to change to a different course (Microbiology, for example) as they are are in a different college.

So my question to people with PhDs, working in industry, is this: Would my PhD course not reflecting my research cause problems in the initial selection process if I applied to a Life Sciences company after graduation?

[TakeruK]

When you write your CV, you can list the PhD course as the official title but also show your thesis title. For example,

2019, University of Awesome, PhD in Nutritional Science
Thesis title: Cool Life Sciences Project
Advisor: Prof. X

I think it's pretty common that the official name of the degree isn't always exactly what you do. It will be your job to effectively convey this in the cover letter and other application materials.