Students in college or graduate school take biology classes from a biology professor. A person in this field has typically undergone extensive training and has a broad understanding of biology. As a result, he is typically qualified to teach students who are pursuing an undergraduate biology degree or completing course requirements for another major, as well as those seeking advanced biology credits.
Many people believe that a biology professor’s sole responsibility is to teach biology. However, it can be a lot more complicated than that. He could, for example, teach not only basic biology but also advanced courses in microbiology, cell biology, genetics, animal behavior, and cancer biology. A person in this field may also devote a significant amount of time to developing lesson plans for each of his courses, as well as preparing lecture materials, planning class assignments, and organizing lab work. He also devotes a significant amount of time to creating tests and quizzes for his students.
A biology professor usually devotes a significant amount of time to grading his students in each of his classes. He may give students grades based on their participation in class, test and quiz answers, homework assignments, lab and demonstration work, and other factors. However, in some cases, a biology professor may enlist the assistance of graduate students to grade his undergraduate students.
Outside of the classroom, biology professors typically spend a portion of their time interacting with students. They can answer questions about assignments and grading, as well as provide more detailed information for students who are struggling with a topic or want to learn more. For motivated or struggling students, they may also provide extra-credit opportunities.
A biology professor frequently devotes at least some of his time to research in his field. In any of his areas of expertise, he may also write biology textbooks. Some biology professors work hard to get their work published in a variety of journals and scientific publications. A biology professor may be called upon to serve as a department head or to assist in the management of the biology department in addition to teaching, researching, and writing. He may also participate in biology department-related on-campus activities.
A person who aspires to be a biology professor typically devotes a significant amount of time to furthering his education in preparation for this profession. Doctoral degrees are required for full-time, tenured biology professors at most colleges and universities. However, some community colleges may allow professors with master’s degrees to teach.