Interacting with students and colleagues.
CAREER
Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary
Overview
Salary Median (2020)
$85,600
Projected Job Growth (2019-2029)
+9.3% (as fast as the average)
Most Common Level of Education
Doctoral or professional degree
Career
Roadtrip Nation Leaders in This Career
What Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary Do
Teach courses in biological sciences. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
Other Job Titles Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary May Have
Anatomy Instructor, Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, Biological Sciences Professor, Biology Instructor, Biology Professor, Instructor, Lecturer, Physiology Instructor, Professor
How Leaders Describe a Typical Day at Work
Neuroscientist & Opera Singer
My career is a portfolio in which I do a bunch of different projects rather than one long career path. As creative director of Pasadena Opera, I spend my time directing operas and occasionally singing. As a professor, my schedule follows the academic year. I teach different courses throughout each semester. I also spend time researching and writing papers or books. To avoid spreading myself too thin, I'll devote all of my time to one project until it's done before moving onto the next.
Tasks & Responsibilities May 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.
Education
Level of Education Attained by Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary
Most common level of education among people in
this career: Doctoral or professional degree (47%)
Bachelor's degree
Master's degree
Doctoral or professional degree
Other*
*All other responses combined for clarity.
Majors Related to Career
Educational Paths Suggested by Leaders
Suggested Path
High School
Bachelor
Biology/Biological Sciences, General
Graduate
Environmental Studies
Doctorate
Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
Suggested Path
High School
Bachelor
Mathematics, General
Bachelor
Biology/Biological Sciences, General
Doctorate
Genome Sciences/Genomics
Additional Skills & Experiences That Can Help You Excel
Experience in an academic setting including advising AND be open-minded, adaptable, compassionate, stern when necessary, hopeful, happy and so on.
You have to be comfortable outside, in nature, including all kinds of weather. The more time you spend exploring the natural world, in parks or gardens or in your backyard, the better. Also, teaching is similar no matter what you're teaching, so if you want to teach, start as soon as you can. Teach anybody anything. Show your little brother how to tie his shoe; explain your favorite video game to your mom. Volunteer in your community helping others to learn, as a tutor or mentor.
Getting Started
Recommended First Step for:
Middle School Students
Pay attention to what you're learning in school: mathematics, writing, oral presentation skills, all are as important as the science. Dive in with gusto to any science fair projects, and find a unique project that you find fascinating. Talk to as many biologists as you can, and see if you can get them to take you with them when they do their research, so you can see what it's like. Read a lot. And get outside and explore the natural world as much as you can.
High School Students
College Students
This page includes information from theO*NET 26.1 Databaseby the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under theCC BY 4.0license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
