BI – Biology Instructor Qualifications ARCHIVE

BI Instructor Qualifications prior to January 2022

Master’s degree in the subject area or Master’s degree in related area plus 30 quarter hours of graduate credit in subject area.

Master’s degrees in the following areas should be regarded as Master’s degrees in subject area.

  • Anatomy
  • Animal Behavior
  • Animal Sciences
  • Biology
  • Botany
  • Doctor of Chiropractic Medicine (DC)
  • Doctor of Dental Science (DDS or DMD)
  • Doctor of Osteopathy (DO)
  • Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM)
  • Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM)
  • Ecology
  • Education/Science Education—assuming 30 graduate credits in any of the other subjects
  • Entomology
  • ESR (Environmental Science and Resources)
  • Evolution/Evolutionary Biology
  • Fisheries
  • Forestry
  • Genetics
  • Marine Biology
  • Medical Doctor (MD)
  • Microbiology
  • Molecular and Cellular Biology
  • Naturopathic Doctor (ND)
  • Physiology
  • Plant Sciences
  • Wildlife Biology
  • Zoology

This list may not be inclusive as there are other degree titles that may be appropriate for the subject and related areas. The Division Dean, consultation with the Faculty Department chair will make a recommendation to the Dean of Instruction about the applicability of a particular degree that is outside the scope of this list. The Department Chair can determine the applicability of a particular degree to teaching a specific biology course.

BI Provisional Instructor Qualifications prior to December 2020:

A part-time instructor without a Masters or Doctorate may be approved if they have 30 quarter hours of graduate credit in the subject area and are actively pursuing the degree and are anticipated to be awarded the degree within six months of hire,as determined by the instructor’s graduate advisor (a letter from the advisor will be required and kept on file.)

BI Instructor Qualifications prior to June 2011

BI Instructor
  • Master’s degree in Biology

OR

  • Master’s in related area with documentation of 30 hours in Biology
Part-time BI Instructor

In order for a part-time instructor to qualify to teach a college credit Biology course, they must have a Master’s degree in the subject area or Master’s degree in related area plus 30 quarter hours of graduate credit in subject area. The department chair can make the final determination about the applicability of a particular degree to teaching a specific biology course.

The subject area Biology is a very diverse field. In the past there were many graduate departments of Biology across the nation. Most of those have splintered into areas that are less broad in scope. Therefore, currently very few departments offer graduate degrees in “Biology” per se. Therefore, the Biology SAC discussed potential degree names that we may run across in our applicants that we believe should be regarded as Master’s degrees in subject area. The list below was reviewed and updated by the SAC, and approved January 2010.

  • Anatomy
  • Animal Behavior
  • Animal Sciences
  • Botany
  • Doctor of Chiropractic Medicine (DC)
  • Doctor of Dental Science (DDS or DMD)
  • Doctor of Osteopathy (DO)
  • Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM)
  • Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM)
  • Ecology
  • Education/Science Education—assuming 30 graduate credits in any of the other subjects
  • Entomology
  • ESR (Environmental Science and Resources)
  • Evolution/Evolutionary Biology
  • Fisheries
  • Forestry
  • Genetics
  • Marine Biology
  • Medical Doctor (MD)
  • Microbiology
  • Molecular and Cellular Biology
  • Naturopathic Doctor (ND)
  • Physiology
  • Plant Sciences
  • Wildlife Biology
  • Zoology

Other degrees outside the scope of this list should be reviewed by the department chair when considering the hire of part-time instructors”.
This list is likely to expand. There are clearly other titles of departments across the nation that give degrees in Biology.

Revised Date: January 2010

BI Requirements prior to January 2010

Part-time Instructor

In order for a part-time instructor to qualify to teach a college credit Biology course, they must have a Master’s degree in the subject area or Master’s degree in related area plus 30 quarter hours of graduate credit in subject area. The department chair can make the final determination about the applicability of a particular degree to teaching a biology course.

The subject area Biology is a very diverse field. In the past there were many graduate departments of Biology across the nation. Most of those have splintered into areas that are less broad in scope. Therefore, currently very few departments offer graduate degrees in “Biology” per se. Therefore, the Biology SAC discussed potential degree names that we may run across in our applicants that we believe should be regarded as Master’s degrees in subject area

On April 11, 2003, the Biology SAC approved the following list of disciplines as offering graduate degrees that should be considered to be in the subject area of Biology.

  • Anatomy
  • Animal Behavior
  • Animal Sciences
  • Botany
  • Doctor of Chiropractic Medicine (DC)
  • Doctor of Dental Science (DDS or DMD)
  • Doctor of Osteopathy (DO)
  • Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM)
  • Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM)
  • Ecology
  • Education/Science Education—assuming 30 graduate credits in any of the above subjects
  • Entomology
  • ESR (Environmental Science and Resources)
  • Evolution/Evolutionary Biology
  • Fisheries
  • Forestry
  • Genetics
  • Marine Biology
  • Medical Doctor (MD)
  • Microbiology
  • Molecular and Cellular Biology
  • Physiology
  • Plant Sciences
  • Wildlife Biology
  • Zoology

Other degrees outside the scope of this list should be reviewed by the SAC.
This list is likely to expand. There are clearly other titles of departments across the nation that give degrees in Biology.

Revised Date: 04/11/2003

BI Instructor
  • Master’s degree in Biology

OR

  • Master’s in related area with documentation of 30 hours in Biology

Revised Date: 12/11/2001