Biology is a broad, scientific body of knowledge that covers the entire realm of living things. Those that choose to study biology are often passionate and curious about the living world, and are curious to know all about how they function. But what can you professionally once you have a biology degree in hand?
While there are many careers where a biology background will come in handy - research, medicine, zoology, or pharmacy, just to name a few - many biology majors choose a career in education.
Becoming a biology or science educator can take a number of different pathways, both in terms of training and finding an actual teaching position. But once you figure out what works for you, you will be on an exciting and rewarding journey that will enable you to share your passion for the living world.
Biology is the study of life. This course is primarily about everything that has life, namely; plants and animals. Like many other science-related courses, it utilizes facts and theories to answer fundamental questions about life.
This article is all about the qualifications you need to become a biology educator. We will discuss the different jobs you might have, and the learning you will need to be a successful candidate. Let’s get started!
Whatever career path you choose to take, it’s important to note that you can still work in the biology field even without an advanced degree. Learn more about biology courses in Canada.
What are the Different Biology Teaching Careers?
Before determining which qualifications you need to become a biology educator, it is important to understand the different teaching careers that are available to you. This way, you can set your goals accordingly.
There are a number of different pathways to pursue as an educator, from teaching little ones to working as a professor in a leading research university. Here are some options you might consider.
University Professor
Biology professors in university teach at the highest level to undergraduate and graduate students. Being a professor of Biology is highly prestigious: the selection process is extremely rigorous and complex since there are only a limited amount of positions available in any university. Professors are also expected to engage in their own science research and publish papers regularly.
Secondary School Teacher
Secondary or High School teachers usually teach grades 9-12. They will teach students at a more advanced level than elementary students, which can feel more rewarding for those who are passionate about the subject. They may teach general or advanced level biology or science courses.
Elementary Teacher
Elementary teachers typically teach students from Kindergarten to grade 8. They teach biology alongside other subjects like Geography, History, English, and Physical Education. In some cases, they may solely teach science or biology, especially in middle schools where students follow a rotary schedule.
Elementary teachers of science can also build their educator experience on the job by running science clubs, eco clubs, or organizing special events like science fairs for the school.
Biology Tutor
Tutors work with individual students who may need additional help in their coursework or simply want to stay ahead of their classmates. Tutoring is an excellent way to gain teaching experience while your are still in school.
Virtual Biology Teacher
Virtual biology teachers work online to deliver a biology curriculum to students that choose to learn remotely. Virtual teachers can work in any credit granting institution, such as as college or secondary school. They might teach live lessons over a platform like Zoom or Microsoft Teams, and mark student work submitted through a digital platform.
Outdoor Learning Educator
Outdoor schools are growing in popularity as families seek alternative, experiential options to sending children to school. The connections between outdoor learning and biology are endless, and so having a biology background is excellent for working in outdoor education.
Independent Educator
An independent educator might work in an extracurricular science education company, a science centre or museum, or government organization. This is a great option for those that prefer flexible teaching options.
Searching for biology jobs? See if your salary expectations are valid.
What Qualifications do I need to Become a Biology Educator?
Once you have identified what your career goals are as a biology teacher, you can better plan your course of study to get qualified.
To become a biology educator, you will need to complete multiple courses of study, including a degree and a teaching qualification. Here is a summary of the education qualifications you can pursue.
A diploma in biology can be earned at a community college. A college diploma typically takes 2 years to complete, and will prepare you to tutor students, work in a private learning institution, science camp, after school program, or an education centre.
Having a bachelor’s degree in biology or science will give you a firm grounding in the discipline that will enable you to pursue many biology career options. Many employers and institutions hold university degrees in high regard because they require an extended 4-year period of study. Perhaps most importantly, a bachelor’s degree is the baseline qualification for getting into an accredited bachelor of Education or teacher certification program.
A Master of Science degree indicates that you have studied biology at the highest level, and are ready to teach advanced students at the secondary and undergraduate levels. You can continue in a teacher certification program, or pursue a doctorate degree if you want to be a professor in the field.
A PhD or Doctorate in biology is a qualification that enables you to teach at the university level. This is the most prestigious level of education, and competition can be high to find a tenure track position. You will need to embark on an extensive research project and defend your dissertation to other scholars.
A Bachelor of Education is a degree that qualifies you to work in Canadian schools. With a Bachelor of Education, you can apply to get a teaching license in the province you want to work in. Typically, it takes 1-2 years to complete a teacher certification program.
What is the Salary of A Biology Teacher?
The salary of a biology instructor will range in Canada depending on your employer, role, years of experience, and whether or not you are working part or full time.
Full time elementary or secondary teachers typically start around $50,000-$60,000 a year, and earn over $100,000 after they have served a certain amount of years and have taken certain professional development courses.
University professors make a range of salaries based on their expertise, tenure, and position held in the university. Some professors in Canada make well over $200,000 a year.
Working part time in a camp or after school program, biology or science related instructors can earn $20-$50 an hour. The same goes for biology tutors.
Discover the skills you need to succeed in your biology career.
What are Some other Career Options for a Biologist?
Researchers that work in the field of biology typically engage in research by carrying out experiments on humans, plants, and animals. They may work in the field, observing living things in their natural habitats. The work of scientists is important: without them, we would find it challenging to get crucial answers to specific aspects of life.
Most professionals that work in the field of scientific research specialize in macroscopic disciplines of biology, such as zoology and marine biology You might also consider a sub-discipline such as marine biology, genetics, or ecology if you are interested in becoming a researcher.
Find crash course biology here on Superprof.
How Can I be Successful in my Biology Program?
To enjoy a successful career in any aspect of biology, you must graduate with a good grade. Good grades make it easy for you to land your dream job and stand out from the crowd. So, before anything at all, ensure you work on your grades.
Although very intriguing and enjoyable to study, biology topics tend to be rigorous. You might find yourself reading and studying continuously to grasp an aspect of the course. This is normal, of course - and a good reminder to make time to study before classes, tests, and exams.
Maximize your potential by creating a structured plan to make the learning stick. Here are some tips you can use to get better grades in biology.
Tips to Get Better Grades in Biology
- Hire a biology tutor
- Structure your schedule to incorporate Biology study time
- Learn course content through a variety of media
Hire a Biology Tutor
A biology instructor is beneficial in helping you break down complex concepts so that you can understand them. It’s natural to face challenges while learning new topics, but you can improve your understanding of the subject matter by hiring a biology teacher on Superprof. Superprof is the best platform to find a tutor so you can achieve your academic goals.
Find tips for success in high school biology.
Structure a schedule
Being a student can be exhausting, especially when you have to participate in extracurricular activities. Still, you can create a schedule for studying. To get good grades, find a convenient time every day for studying. You can set a reminder every day of the week to get notified of your study time, helping you maximize your time.
Learn course content through a variety of media
It can get tiresome to read textbooks and articles all day. Stimulate your mind and make studying fun by diversifying the resources you use. Find an explainer video on a concept in molecular biology, or a podcast on the latest research in pharmaceuticals. Get to know the language of the discipline - it will go a long way in keeping the work interesting!
In Summary
Biology opens opportunities to various fields. However, before you can explore those careers in Canada, you need to meet specific educational requirements. Often, jobs require you to have at least a bachelor's degree in biology or a branch of biology. If you enjoy teaching, you also need a degree to be employed in Canada.
Setting your professional goals in tandem with your educational goals will help you to make education and life choices with intention. Don't wait - start planning your biology career today!
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