Career Overview
Teach courses in biological sciences. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
Also Known As
- Associate Professor
- Biology Instructor
- Biology Professor
- Professor
Alternate Job Titles
- Adjunct Biology Instructor
- Adjunct Biology Professor
- Adjunct Instructor
- Algology Teacher
- Anatomy Instructor
- Anatomy Professor
- Apiculture Teacher
- Arboriculture Teacher
- Assistant Professor
- Associate Professor
- Bacteriology Professor
- Bacteriology Teacher
- Biochemistry Professor
- Biochemistry Teacher
- Biological Sciences Instructor
What You'll Do
In this role, your typical responsibilities include:
- Evaluate and grade students' class work, laboratory work, assignments, and papers.
- Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as molecular biology, marine biology, and botany.
- Plan, evaluate, and revise curricula, course content, and course materials and methods of instruction.
- Prepare materials for laboratory activities and course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
- Initiate, facilitate, and moderate classroom discussions.
- Supervise students' laboratory work.
- Keep abreast of developments in the field by reading current literature, talking with colleagues, and participating in professional conferences.
Emerging Responsibilities
As this field evolves, you may also:
- Write letters of recommendation for students.
Knowledge You'll Use
You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:
- Biology
- English Language
- Mathematics
- Chemistry
- Education and Training
- Computers and Electronics
Essential Skills
Success in this career requires strong skills in:
- Speaking
- Learning Strategies
- Instructing
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Writing
- Science
- Active Learning
- Critical Thinking
- Monitoring
Key Abilities
This career requires key abilities in:
- Oral Expression
- Oral Comprehension
- Written Comprehension
- Speech Clarity
- Written Expression
- Deductive Reasoning
- Inductive Reasoning
- Speech Recognition
- Near Vision
- Information Ordering
Work Style
People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:
- Intellectual Curiosity
- Dependability
- Integrity
- Achievement Orientation
- Social Orientation
What Matters in This Career
This career tends to satisfy these work values:
- Working Conditions
- Achievement
- Recognition
- Independence
- Relationships
Education & Preparation
Typical Education: Doctoral Degree
Related Work Experience Needed: Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years
On-the-Job Training: None or short demonstration
Education Details: Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
Experience Required: Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
Technology You'll Use
Popular Technologies & Software
- Google Docs
- IBM SPSS Statistics
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Windows
- Microsoft Word
- SAS
- The MathWorks MATLAB
Tools & Equipment
- Anaerobic growth chambers
- Benchtop ultracentrifuges
- Carbon dioxide analysis equipment
- Carousel slide projectors
- Chemiluminescence imaging systems
- Compact digital cameras
- Compact disk CD players
- Computer data input scanners
- Computer laser printers
- Conference telephones
- Desktop computers
- Digital calculators
- Digital video cameras
- Digital video disk DVD players
- Electrophoresis equipment
Work Environment
- Freedom to Make Decisions
- Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
- Public Speaking
Salary & Job Market
| Salary Percentile | Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level (10th percentile) | $50,760 |
| Median | $83,460 |
| Top Earners (90th percentile) | $169,560 |
Workers Employed Nationally: 53,250
Related Careers
If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:
Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary
Education: Master's Degree
Median Salary: $101,390
Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary
Education: Master's Degree
Median Salary: $86,220
Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary
Education: Doctoral Degree
Median Salary: $87,710
Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary
Education: Master's Degree
Median Salary: $105,620
Molecular and Cellular Biologists
Education: Bachelor's Degree
Median Salary: $93,330
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Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.