Adjunct Faculty - Biology at Aurora University in Aurora, Illinois

Job Description:

Job Summary/Basic Function

Aurora University (AU) is committed to the transformative power of learning by creating a student-centered environment and an equity of experience and opportunity, to ensure that students, faculty, and staff of all backgrounds feel welcome and included. Our culture of collaboration, generosity, and belonging make it a special place for students, faculty, and staff.

AU is grounded in the transformative opportunity it provides to a diverse student body. As a private university with a public mission and a commitment to making a difference in peoples' lives, AU has a long history of resilience and of providing access to an education that values innovation, focuses on continuous improvement, and has a positive impact on the communities we serve. We are proud of our service to and economic impact on the state of Illinois, where over 80% of our students stay to live and work, where 90% of our students come from, and where we foster strong community partnerships to develop the workforce in areas such as nursing, education, business, technology, and social work.

We are looking for passionate and purposeful individuals who represent the full diversity of Aurora and who demonstrate a sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, ability, identity, and ethnic backgrounds present in our community. When you join the team at AU, you can expect to be part of an inclusive, innovative, and equity-focused community that approaches higher education as a matter of social justice requiring broad collaboration among faculty, staff, students, and community partners.

At AU we believe that continuous learning is a fundamental part of working life, and our goal is for all colleagues on our campus to feel supported and equipped to realize their full potential. We actively support our community by providing all employees with opportunities to engage in professional development activities, as well as a range of tuition and employee benefits that can be found here.

Aurora University seeks talented adjunct faculty who are passionate about teaching and learning. Adjunct faculty are qualified part-time instructors offered teaching opportunities based on course demand and staffing.

Teaching Responsibilities

We are seeking adjunct faculty to teach the following lectures and/or lab courses:

BIO 1150 Life Science for Educators
This course surveys the major principles of life science for those majoring in elementary, middle school, or special education. Topics include evolution, the diversity of life, ecology, cell biology, and inheritance.

BIO 1210 General Biology I
This course studies the cell as the basic unit of biology. Topics include structure and roles of biologically important molecules, prokaryote and eukaryote cell structure, concepts of metabolism and energy flow, enzymes, photosynthesis, ATP production, cell reproduction, molecular genetics, and the principles of Mendelian genetics.

BIO 1220 General Biology II
This course studies the levels of the biological hierarchy above the level of the individual organism. Topics include microevolution and natural selection, macroevolution, the history and diversity of life, and ecological principles.

BIO 2200 Humans and Environment
This course provides students with an overview of the relationship between humans and their environment, and to the environmental problems that we face. Topics include human population growth, pollution, climate change, energy use, and loss of biodiversity, along with emerging contemporary issues. Implications and potential solutions will be discussed.

BIO 2280 Microbiology
This course covers principles and techniques of microbiology. Topics include the structure and life cycles of bacteria, viruses, protists, fungi, parasitic worms, characteristics of the major groups of bacteria, bacterial growth and metabolism, microbial genetics and pathogenesis, epidemiology, and selected infectious diseases.

BIO 3530 Evolution
This course discusses evolutionary biology. Topics include the evidence for evolution, inferring evolutionary relationships, mechanisms of evolutionary change, population genetics, speciation, and the history of life.

Minimum Qualifications

A Master's or PhD degree in biology or related fields is required. Industry experience and college-level teaching experience are preferred.

Application Materials

Please email resume or curriculum vitae, transcripts, evidence of licensure or certification if required for the position, and cover letter stating the specific areas you are interested in teaching to:

Aurora University is an Equal Opportunity Employer.