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Adjunct biology instructor vs biology faculty member

The differences between adjunct biology instructors and biology faculty members can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both an adjunct biology instructor and a biology faculty member. Additionally, an adjunct biology instructor has an average salary of $86,786, which is higher than the $60,278 average annual salary of a biology faculty member.

The top three skills for an adjunct biology instructor include anatomy, student learning and general biology. The most important skills for a biology faculty member are general biology, chemistry, and molecular biology.

Adjunct biology instructor vs biology faculty member overview

Adjunct Biology InstructorBiology Faculty Member
Yearly salary$86,786$60,278
Hourly rate$41.72$28.98
Growth rate12%12%
Number of jobs38,33112,876
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 51%Bachelor's Degree, 71%
Average age4646
Years of experience44

What does an adjunct biology instructor do?

An adjunct biology instructor is an adjunct faculty member whose responsibility is to teach biology-related courses. Adjunct biology instructors are educators who are employed on a part-time or contractual basis. Typically, they teach prep or introductory undergraduate courses every semester for the entire academic year. The instructors conduct lectures and lab experiments and other activities. It is expected of them to maintain equipment, reagent inventories, and labs. They also provide assistance in developing and revising the necessary courses.

What does a biology faculty member do?

A biology faculty member specializes in teaching biological science to students. Their responsibilities revolve around delivering effective classroom discussions, preparing lesson and coursework plans, creating learning materials such as presentations and handouts, conducting tests and examinations, organizing laboratory activities and practices, and assisting students in areas they find difficult. They may also participate in faculty committee works and research programs. Moreover, a biology faculty member monitors the students' progress while maintaining a safe and healthy learning environment for everyone.

Adjunct biology instructor vs biology faculty member salary

Adjunct biology instructors and biology faculty members have different pay scales, as shown below.

Adjunct Biology InstructorBiology Faculty Member
Average salary$86,786$60,278
Salary rangeBetween $48,000 And $156,000Between $40,000 And $90,000
Highest paying CityOakland, CA-
Highest paying stateCalifornia-
Best paying companyKern Community College District-
Best paying industryEducation-

Differences between adjunct biology instructor and biology faculty member education

There are a few differences between an adjunct biology instructor and a biology faculty member in terms of educational background:

Adjunct Biology InstructorBiology Faculty Member
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 51%Bachelor's Degree, 71%
Most common majorBiologyBiology
Most common collegeCornell UniversityCornell University

Adjunct biology instructor vs biology faculty member demographics

Here are the differences between adjunct biology instructors' and biology faculty members' demographics:

Adjunct Biology InstructorBiology Faculty Member
Average age4646
Gender ratioMale, 44.1% Female, 55.9%Male, 47.3% Female, 52.7%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 7.2% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 10.2% Asian, 11.3% White, 66.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%Black or African American, 6.8% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 9.7% Asian, 14.4% White, 63.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage16%16%

Differences between adjunct biology instructor and biology faculty member duties and responsibilities

Adjunct biology instructor example responsibilities.

  • Lead and engage students in case study discussions regarding physiological scenarios.
  • Develop and implement class syllabus, complement and implement existing lecture and laboratory instructional materials.
  • Design research skills seminar to provide advanced training in technical laboratory skills to communication within the scientific community and the public.
  • Incorporate technology into the classroom via computers, word processing, Internet research, PowerPoint presentations and various problem solving exercises.
  • Present course information via Microsoft PowerPoint.
  • Introduce undergraduate students to concepts in intermediate microeconomics, money & banking, corporate finance and environmental economics.
  • Show more

Biology faculty member example responsibilities.

  • Manage studies to meet FDA approval of new medical devices, drugs, materials, and techniques.
  • Develop microfluidic chip and device to provide DNA sequencing inside picoliter size aqueous droplets.
  • Study the effects of ionizing radiation on the cell cycle and DNA damage / repair in human cell models.
  • Guide students through management of labor and safe delivery of normal spontaneous vaginal deliveries and postpartum coordination of patients plan of care
  • Engage in classroom management, foundations of curriculum/instruction, instruction design, evaluation and ethics research and assessment and evaluation.

Adjunct biology instructor vs biology faculty member skills

Common adjunct biology instructor skills
  • Anatomy, 15%
  • Student Learning, 14%
  • General Biology, 7%
  • Learning Outcomes, 7%
  • Science Courses, 7%
  • Teaching Methodologies, 6%
Common biology faculty member skills
  • General Biology, 23%
  • Chemistry, 14%
  • Molecular Biology, 11%
  • Immunology, 8%
  • Genetics, 8%
  • Biology Courses, 8%

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