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Biology instructor vs adjunct biology instructor

The differences between biology instructors and adjunct biology instructors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a biology instructor and an adjunct biology instructor. Additionally, an adjunct biology instructor has an average salary of $86,786, which is higher than the $58,811 average annual salary of a biology instructor.

The top three skills for a biology instructor include anatomy, student learning and lab experiments. The most important skills for an adjunct biology instructor are anatomy, student learning, and general biology.

Biology instructor vs adjunct biology instructor overview

Biology InstructorAdjunct Biology Instructor
Yearly salary$58,811$86,786
Hourly rate$28.27$41.72
Growth rate12%12%
Number of jobs37,54038,331
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 61%Bachelor's Degree, 51%
Average age4646
Years of experience44

What does a biology instructor do?

A Biology Instructor is a teacher responsible for educating students on biology either in middle school, high school, or at a college level. They are responsible for creating a learning curriculum that covers scientific investigations and lab experiments. They must also design student assessment programs, liaise with parents on student growth, and create school policies and regulations. Other duties include coordinating field trips, attending staff meetings, and establishing student rapport.

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.

Biology instructor vs adjunct biology instructor salary

Biology instructors and adjunct biology instructors have different pay scales, as shown below.

Biology InstructorAdjunct Biology Instructor
Average salary$58,811$86,786
Salary rangeBetween $37,000 And $91,000Between $48,000 And $156,000
Highest paying CitySanta Rosa, CAOakland, CA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaCalifornia
Best paying companyKern Community College DistrictKern Community College District
Best paying industryEducationEducation

Differences between biology instructor and adjunct biology instructor education

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

Biology InstructorAdjunct Biology Instructor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 61%Bachelor's Degree, 51%
Most common majorBiologyBiology
Most common collegeCornell UniversityCornell University

Biology instructor vs adjunct biology instructor demographics

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

Biology InstructorAdjunct Biology Instructor
Average age4646
Gender ratioMale, 45.9% Female, 54.1%Male, 44.1% Female, 55.9%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 7.2% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 10.3% Asian, 11.2% White, 66.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%Black 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%
LGBT Percentage16%16%

Differences between biology instructor and adjunct biology instructor duties and responsibilities

Biology instructor example responsibilities.

  • Manage studies to meet FDA approval of new medical devices, drugs, materials, and techniques.
  • Manage externally fund genome sequencing projects as a principal investigator.
  • Lead and engage students in case study discussions regarding physiological scenarios.
  • Repair, maintain, and oversee use of FT-IR, NMR, GC/MS, UV-Vis, and GC instrumentation.
  • Design specific PCR primers using Oligo software.
  • Create a laboratory program for this course.
  • Show more

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 instructor vs adjunct biology instructor skills

Common biology instructor skills
  • Anatomy, 14%
  • Student Learning, 7%
  • Lab Experiments, 7%
  • Biology Courses, 7%
  • Professional Development, 7%
  • General Biology, 7%
Common adjunct biology instructor skills
  • Anatomy, 15%
  • Student Learning, 14%
  • General Biology, 7%
  • Learning Outcomes, 7%
  • Science Courses, 7%
  • Teaching Methodologies, 6%

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