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Adjunct biology instructor education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become an adjunct biology instructor. Adjunct biology instructors usually study biology, ecology, population biology, and epidemiology, or environmental science. 51% of adjunct biology instructors hold a bachelor's degree, and 30% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 417 real adjunct biology instructor resumes to see exactly what adjunct biology instructor education sections show.
The most common colleges for adjunct biology instructors are the University of South Carolina - Columbia and the University of South Carolina - Columbia.
There are also many online adjunct biology instructor courses to help get the education required to be an adjunct biology instructor.
What education do you need to become an adjunct biology instructor?
What degree do you need to be an adjunct biology instructor?
- Bachelor's, 51%
- Master's, 30%
- Doctorate, 14%
- Associate, 4%
- Other Degrees, 1%
What should I major in to become an adjunct biology instructor?
- Biology, 58%
- Microbiology, 3%
- Other Majors, 28%
Most common colleges for adjunct biology instructors
| Adjunct biology instructor common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| University of South Carolina - Columbia | 7.59% |
| Michigan State University | 7.59% |
| Texas Southern University | 6.33% |
| Virginia Commonwealth University | 6.33% |
| The University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler | 6.33% |
Best majors for adjunct biology instructors
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Biology | 57.9% |
| 2 | Ecology, Population Biology, And Epidemiology | 5.6% |
| 3 | Environmental Science | 4.6% |
| 4 | Microbiology | 3.3% |
| 5 | General Education, Specific Areas | 3.0% |
Best colleges for adjunct biology instructors
The best colleges for adjunct biology instructors are Harvard University, Stanford University, and Columbia University in the City of New York.
An adjunct biology instructor with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for adjunct biology instructors. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become adjunct biology instructors.
1. Cornell University
Ithaca, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$55,188
Enrollment
15,105
2. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI • Private
In-state tuition
$15,262
Enrollment
30,079
3. Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD • Private
In-state tuition
$53,740
Enrollment
5,567
4. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$56,225
Enrollment
19,548
5. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$8,987
Enrollment
18,946
6. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$50,420
Enrollment
7,582
7. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,354
Enrollment
7,083
8. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$59,430
Enrollment
8,216
9. Duke University
Durham, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$55,695
Enrollment
6,596
10. University of California, Irvine
Irvine, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$13,700
Enrollment
29,722
20 best online courses for adjunct biology instructors
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In this course, we will explore the nature of science and biology. We will discuss what the “biology everywhere” philosophy means and the history of the “biology everywhere” project. We will also discuss what science (and biology) are as a discipline of inquiry and how chemistry is foundational to understanding biology...
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6. Lactation Biology
Lactation and especially milk, which is the product of that unique mammalian process, are routinely encountered within our daily lives. Nevertheless, they often are poorly understood by many, even including many who are engaged in the business of producing milk. The overall course goal is to introduce fundamental concepts that form the basis for understanding the biology of lactation, the biology of the mammary gland, and the products of that important physiological process. As a learner in...
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8. Cancer Biology 101
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9. Cancer Biology
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10. Systems Biology and Biotechnology Capstone
NOTE: In order to take this course you should have taken and complete the following courses in the Signature Track: Introduction to Systems Biology, Network Analysis in Systems Biology, Dynamical Modeling Methods for Systems Biology, Experimental Methods in SB and Integrated Analysis In Systems Biology...
11. Easy Anatomy and Physiology (Platinum Edition)
An Easy Guide to Learning the Anatomy and Physiology of the Human Body...
12. Learn Bioinformatics From Scratch (Theory & Practical)
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13. Introduction to Biology: Ecology, Evolution, & Biodiversity
In this 3-course specialization, you will learn to see nature the way a biologist does. You will gain an understanding and appreciation for the incredible diversity of life and the interdependence of all living things. You will explore what we know about the origins of life and how biologists have advanced the science of evolution since Charles Darwin's lifetime, as well as the many applications of evolutionary biology to our everyday lives; you will examine the characteristics, functions,...
14. Experimental Methods in Systems Biology
Learn about the technologies underlying experimentation used in systems biology, with particular focus on RNA sequencing, mass spec-based proteomics, flow/mass cytometry and live-cell imaging. A key driver of the systems biology field is the technology allowing us to delve deeper and wider into how cells respond to experimental perturbations. This in turns allows us to build more detailed quantitative models of cellular function, which can give important insight into applications ranging from...
15. Basic Anatomy for Pilates Instructors
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16. Introduction to the Biology of Cancer
Over 500,000 people in the United States and over 8 million people worldwide are dying every year from cancer. As people live longer, the incidence of cancer is rising worldwide and the disease is expected to strike over 20 million people annually by 2030. This open course is designed for people who would like to develop an understanding of cancer and how it is prevented, diagnosed, and treated. The course introduces the molecular biology of cancer (oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes) as well...
17. Systems Biology and Biotechnology
Design systems-level experiments using appropriate cutting edge techniques, collect big data, and analyze and interpret small and big data sets quantitatively.\n\nThe Systems Biology Specialization covers the concepts and methodologies used in systems-level analysis of biomedical systems. Successful participants will learn how to use experimental, computational and mathematical methods in systems biology and how to design practical systems-level frameworks to address questions in a variety of...
18. Women in environmental biology
Have you ever wondered how humans relate to other living beings and what do you need to know to be able to understand current environmental problems? Do you know that many of these researches and knowledge have been described by women? This course gives answers to these questions and it is addressed to anyone interested in the relationship between humans and other living beings, as well as all those concerned about the global change situation that the planet is suffering. We will learn key...
19. The Science of the Solar System
Learn about the science behind the current exploration of the solar system in this free class. Use principles from physics, chemistry, biology, and geology to understand the latest from Mars, comprehend the outer solar system, ponder planets outside our solar system, and search for habitability in our neighborhood and beyond. This course is generally taught at an advanced level assuming a prior knowledge of undergraduate math and physics, but the majority of the concepts and lectures can be...
20. Human Anatomy & Physiology I
In this specialization, you will receive an introduction to human anatomy and physiology! Together, we will explore foundational concepts as well as the structure (anatomy) and function (physiology) of the human body as it pertains to five major body systems: the integumentary (skin), skeletal, muscular, nervous, and endocrine (hormone) systems.\n\nThese courses will utilize a free, open-source text (https://openstax.org/details/books/anatomy-and-physiology-2e)with supplemental activities and...
Top 10 most affordable universities for adjunct biology instructors
The most affordable schools for adjunct biology instructors are University of Florida, hunter college of the city university of new york, and california state university - long beach.
If the best universities for adjunct biology instructors are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for adjunct biology instructors.
1. University of Florida
Gainesville, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,381
Cost of attendance
21,034
2. Hunter College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,182
Cost of attendance
13,998
3. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Cost of attendance
18,306
4. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
5. California State University - Fullerton
Fullerton, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,886
Cost of attendance
17,645
6. University of South Florida
Tampa, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,410
Cost of attendance
20,456
7. California State University - Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,749
Cost of attendance
14,823
8. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$8,987
Cost of attendance
25,527
9. Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,656
Cost of attendance
21,623
10. California State University - Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,309
Cost of attendance
16,714
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for adjunct biology instructors
The hardest universities for adjunct biology instructors to get into are Harvard University, Stanford University, and Columbia University in the City of New York.
Some great schools for adjunct biology instructors are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for adjunct biology instructors based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.
1. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
Admissions rate
5%
SAT average
1,520
2. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
Admissions rate
4%
SAT average
1,497
3. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
6%
SAT average
1,512
4. Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD • Private
Admissions rate
11%
SAT average
1,513
5. Duke University
Durham, NC • Private
Admissions rate
9%
SAT average
1,516
6. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,492
7. Cornell University
Ithaca, NY • Private
Admissions rate
11%
SAT average
1,471
8. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,508
9. University of Chicago
Chicago, IL • Private
Admissions rate
7%
SAT average
1,520
10. Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN • Private
Admissions rate
10%
SAT average
1,514
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for adjunct biology instructors
The easiest schools for adjunct biology instructors to get into are Barry University, notre dame de namur university, and life university.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as an adjunct biology instructor without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for adjunct biology instructors.
1. Barry University
Miami, FL • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,006
2. Notre Dame de Namur University
Belmont, CA • Private
Admissions rate
82%
SAT average
983
3. Life University
Marietta, GA • Private
Admissions rate
94%
SAT average
979
4. University of the Incarnate Word
San Antonio, TX • Private
Admissions rate
88%
SAT average
1,044
5. Mount Saint Mary's University
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
84%
SAT average
1,031
6. Wayland Baptist University
Plainview, TX • Private
Admissions rate
98%
SAT average
1,003
7. University of Houston - Downtown
Houston, TX • Private
Admissions rate
83%
SAT average
1,012
8. Our Lady of the Lake University
San Antonio, TX • Private
Admissions rate
93%
SAT average
1,002
9. Notre Dame College
Cleveland, OH • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
994
10. San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA • Private
Admissions rate
72%
SAT average
1,054
Average adjunct biology instructor salary by education level
| Adjunct biology instructor education level | Adjunct biology instructor salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $80,931 |
| Doctorate Degree | $104,695 |
Adjunct biology instructor education FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025