A biological science teacher at the postsecondary level instructs students in biology and related sciences. You'll need a doctoral degree and extensive preparation. The work is intellectually demanding, deeply rewarding, and shapes the next generation of scientists.
Pathly builds you a free, personalized roadmap and helps your counselor champion you along the way.
You teach biology courses to college and university students through lectures, labs, and discussions. Your days involve explaining complex biological concepts, designing experiments, and helping students develop strong science skills. You stay current with new research and advances in the field. You work with computers to prepare materials and process data. You interpret scientific information for your students and communicate regularly with colleagues about curriculum and student progress. You also evaluate student learning through exams and projects.
Core work activities
Career video courtesy of CareerOneStop.
Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary earn a median of $84,620 a year, based on 2025 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and location.
The outlook is strong. Employment is projected to grow 7 percent from 2024 to 2034, faster than average for all occupations, with about 5,400 openings a year.
Top skills
Knowledge areas
You'll need a doctoral degree in biology or a related biological science field. This typically requires four to six years of graduate study beyond your bachelor's degree, including coursework, research, and a dissertation. During graduate school, you'll deepen your knowledge of biology, chemistry, and mathematics while developing teaching experience through assistantships. Many programs also require you to demonstrate expertise in your specific area of biological science before you can teach at the postsecondary level.
The main route to this career is earning a doctoral degree in a biological science. If you're exploring whether this path fits your timeline and goals, Pathly can map the biological science teacher, postsecondary path that fits you and work through it with your school counselor or academic advisor.
You do not need a license to work as a biological science teacher, postsecondary, but professional certifications can strengthen your resume.
Common certifications
You're drawn to this work if you enjoy teaching and helping others learn. You're curious about biology and motivated by the chance to guide students through complex scientific ideas.
Reading about a career is the easy part. Turning it into a plan is where most students get stuck. Pathly takes you from curious to a clear next step, and gives your counselor the insight to champion you along the way.
Start with a quick quiz and assessments that surface your personality, your EQ, and what really motivates you, so your next steps are built around who you actually are.
Your free AI guide weighs this career against your strengths and goals, and surfaces the colleges, trades, and scholarships that match, so you know if it truly fits before you commit.
Get a personalized, step-by-step plan to reach this career, with the training, coursework, and credentials tracked in one place. Link your school or IEC and your counselor in the loop.
Last updated July 1, 2026.
Data sources. Career details from the O*NET 30.3 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under CC BY 4.0. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Salary and outlook figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025 wages; 2024–2034 projections), delivered via the CareerOneStop API. Certification, licensing, wage, and outlook data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by USDOL/ETA and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).