Occupation Details
Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary
Teach courses in biological sciences. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
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Interests
Investigative
Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
Social
Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.
Work Values
Achievement
Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.
Working Conditions
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.
Independence
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
Salary & Job Outlook
Starting Salary
$62,920.00
New York StateMedian Salary
$104,750.00
New York StateExperienced Salary
$151,100.00
New York StateNational Average for Comparison
New York State Job Market Outlook
Jobs Right Now (2018)
7,330
professionals in NYFuture Job Growth (2030)
8,750
+142 jobs/yearNew Jobs Every Year
877
new opportunities yearlyGrowth Rate
0.2%
projected increasePreparation: Experience, Training, and Education
The list below outlines the prior educational experience required to perform in this occupation.
More School - Graduate or advanced degree
Experience Requirements
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.
Education Requirements
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).
Training Details
Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
Transferrable Skills and Experience
These occupations often involve coordinating, training, supervising, or managing the activities of others to accomplish goals. Very advanced communication and organizational skills are required. Examples include pharmacists, lawyers, astronomers, biologists, clergy, physician assistants, and veterinarians.
School Programs
The following lists school programs which are applicable to this occupation.
Licensing & Certification
State License and Certifications Requirements are not currently associated with this occupation.
Skills
The list below includes the skills required by workers in this occupation; skills are what allow you to learn more quickly and improve your performance.
Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Learning Strategies
Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
Instructing
Teaching others how to do something.
Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Writing
Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Active Learning
Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Skill level is measured on a seven point scale, where one means 'some competence required for this occupation' and seven means 'a high level of expertise required for this occupation'.
Knowledge
The list below includes knowledge items, the principles and facts required by this occupation.
Biology
Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.
English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Mathematics
Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
Chemistry
Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.
Education and Training
Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
Computers and Electronics
Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
Knowledge level is measured on a seven point scale, where one means 'some competence required for this occupation' and seven means 'a high level of expertise required for this occupation'.
Work Environment
The list below includes the physical and social factors that influence the nature of work in this occupation.
Hover over or tap each factor to see its description.
Work Styles
Included in the list below are the personal work style characteristics that can affect how well a worker is likely to perform in this occupation.
Achievement/Effort
Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
Adaptability/Flexibility
Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
Analytical Thinking
Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
Attention to Detail
Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Dependability
Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Independence
Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
Initiative
Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
Innovation
Job requires creativity and alternative thinking to develop new ideas for and answers to work-related problems.
Integrity
Job requires being honest and ethical.
Persistence
Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
Tools & Technology
This list below describes the machines, equipment, tools, software, and information technology that workers in this occupation will use.
Tools
- 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
- Environmental growth chambers
- Field emission scanning electron microscopes
- Fluorescence microscopes
- Handheld microphones
- Interactive whiteboard controllers
- Interactive whiteboards
- Laptop computers
- Laser facsimile machines
- Laser scanning microscopes
- Liquid crystal display LCD projectors
- Liquid crystal display LCD televisions
- Low temperature freezers
- MP3 digital voice recorders
- Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization MALDI mass spectrometers
- Microphone podiums
Technology
- Aipotu
- Blackboard Learn
- Blackboard software
- Calendar and scheduling software
- Collaborative editing software
- Course management system software
- DOC Cop
- Desire2Learn LMS software
- Email software
- Geographic information system GIS software
- Google Docs
- Graphics creation software
- Image analysis software
- Image scanning software
- Learning management system LMS
- Microsoft Excel
Duties
Duties are job behaviors describing activities that occur on multiple jobs. The generalized and detailed work activities described in the list below apply to this occupation.
- use biological testing instruments
- maintain educational records, reports, or files
- prepare educational reports
- make education presentations
- encourage group participation
- direct and coordinate scientific research or investigative studies
- advise students
- advise governmental or industrial personnel
- evaluate student performance
- write research or project grant proposals
- record student progress
- collect academic research data
- research human or animal disease
- analyze biological research, test, or analysis data
- conduct field research or investigative studies
- conduct laboratory research or experiments
- perform statistical analysis
- conduct research on work-related topics
- design classroom presentations
- write scholarly or technical research papers
- compile bibliographies of specialized materials
- use computers to enter, access or retrieve educational data
- use oral or written communication techniques
- use teaching techniques
- follow microbiology procedures
- use public speaking techniques
- use biological research techniques
- use library or online Internet research techniques
- convert information into instructional program
- develop instructional materials
- organize educational material or ideas
- develop course or training objectives
Tasks
The list below outlines specific tasks that a worker in this occupation is called upon to do regularly.
- 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.
- Maintain student attendance records, grades, and other required records.
- Compile, administer, and grade examinations, or assign this work to others.
- Supervise undergraduate or graduate teaching, internship, and research work.
- Assist students who need extra help with their coursework outside of class.
- Advise students on academic and vocational curricula and on career issues.
- Maintain regularly scheduled office hours to advise and assist students.
- Conduct research in a particular field of knowledge and publish findings in professional journals, books, or electronic media.
- Collaborate with colleagues to address teaching and research issues.
- Select and obtain materials and supplies, such as textbooks and laboratory equipment.
- Serve on academic or administrative committees that deal with institutional policies, departmental matters, and academic issues.
- Provide students course-related experiences, such as field trips, outside the classroom.
- Write grant proposals to procure external research funding.
- Review papers for publication in journals.
- Participate in student recruitment, registration, and placement activities.
- Maintain or repair lab equipment.
- Perform administrative duties, such as serving as department head.
- Compile bibliographies of specialized materials for outside reading assignments.
- Participate in campus and community events, such as giving presentations to the public.
- Act as advisers to student organizations.
- Provide professional consulting services to government or industry.
Learning Resources
More information on this occupation may be found in the links provided below.
Adventures of Herman: The Autobiography of Squirmin' Herman the Worm
The Adventures of Herman will help you learn the basic vocabulary of biology: biological composition, digestion and reproduction told through a guided study of the worm. You will gain knowledge of the principles of basic scientific research and application through the creation, observation and maintenance of a worm bin and read critically and analytically by first viewing the biological life of the worm and creating an environment to support life.
Learn MoreAmerican Museum of Natural History Courses, Institutes and Evenings for Educators
The American Museum of Natural History offers an extensive program of professional development in a variety of formats that provide educators at all levels with opportunities to deepen their content knowledge and address national and local performance standards in the natural and social sciences through interactions with scientists and educators and use of AMNH research, exhibitions, and print and online resources.
Learn MoreBiology Lesson Plans
Are you looking for complete, well written K12 lesson plans to add to your biology lessons? The topics at this site include: Neuroscience, General Anatomy and Physiology and Environmental Sciences and Animal Biology Activities.
Learn MoreBottle Biology: See It, Touch It, Smell It, Taste It.
Learn how to explore science and the environment with soda bottles and other recyclable materials.
Learn MoreCornell Institute for Biology Teachers
Originally designed specifically for high school biology teachers, the Cornell Institute for Biology Teachers (CIBT) now includes elementary through high school teachers and school administrators. CIBT offers unique opportunities for professional development. The Classroom Resources and Activities section you'll find resources for CIBT-developed labs and activities.
Learn MoreCornell Institute for Biology Teachers: Summer Programs
CIBT Summer Programs include a Summer Biology Workshop and Special Topics in Microbiology. The workshop includes talks from Cornell faculty members, hands-on lab and field activities and opportunities for teachers to interact with other teachers and Cornell researchers. Microbiology topics have Cornell faculty illustrate new ideas about microbiology through talks and by leading the participants through a gamut of activities and labs. Activities include Microscopy techniques, Plating and Culturing experiments, and Molecular Phylogeny.
Learn MoreTeachers-postsecondary
Visit this link for additional information on this career from the Occupational Outlook Handbook; a publication produced and maintained by the United States Department of Labor.
Learn More