How to Be a Biology Professor

You must enjoy teaching to become a professor.

Several years of studying and conducting research are required before you can be elevated to the position of biology professor. Biology involves the study of living organisms and their relationship to the environment. As a professor you have to conduct research and help students get a better understanding of the fundamental life processes. The knowledge derived from biology is used to develop new products.

Instructions

1. Focus on science, including chemistry and physics classes in high school to prepare for an undergraduate program. To become a biology professor, you must work hard at school. Get good grades, beginning in high school. Prepare yourself for the SAT test and aim to score high. That will help you to attend a higher profile college or university.

2. Enroll for a bachelor's degree once you graduate from high school. Take biological science with works in allied disciplines, including mathematics, physics and computer science. Computer knowledge is essential when you start working as a biology professor because you have to use a computer to do your work. You must know how to access research information in databases and websites.

3. Apply for a master's degree when you complete your undergraduate program. To work as a professor in a college or university, you need a solid academic background. You need to specialize in a sub-field at the graduate level in areas including microbiology or botany. Studies involve classroom, laboratory and field work. It usually takes two years to complete a master's program in the United States.

4. Apply for a PhD program if you want to advance further. There are two ways you can pursue a doctorate. You could either apply directly after your master's program, or you could get a job as an assistant professor at a university or college and pursue you PhD while working.

5. Get a job as an assistant professor when you graduate with a doctorate. You have to climb the ladder from an entry position of assistant professor, before being elevated to associate and then a full biology professor with a guaranteed tenure. You can also get a post-doctoral fellowship program which involves additional studying and research in your field before getting a lecturing job. This is done an the supervision of an experienced researcher.

6. Start teaching in a college or university once you become a faculty member as an assistant or associate professor. This kind of work usually involves preparing lectures, lecturing, guiding students and helping them through their studies. Once you're promoted to full professorship, you will continue teaching and conducting research at the same time. You also have to engage more in professional service activities, including becoming more active in associations in which you can network and collaborate on projects. Professors usually continue publishing papers and books on their findings.

References

• Bureau of Labor Statistics: Biological Scientists
• Ithaca College: Biology (B.A., B.S.) Biology (Teacher Education) (B.A.)
• "Medscape;" How To Become a Full Professor Before the Age of 42; Alex Macario, MD, September 7, 2010
• "The Journal of Young Investigators;" Becoming a University Professor; Yeva Ragauskayte

Resources

• Bureau of Labor Statistics: Biological Scientists