Agricultural Sciences Professor

Also called: Adjunct Instructor, Agribusiness Professor, Agricultural Economics Professor, Agricultural Education Professor, Agricultural Engineering Technology Instructor

Agricultural Sciences Professor

Varies

estimated salary

 Agricultural science professors teach courses in the agricultural sciences. Includes teachers of agronomy, dairy sciences, fisheries management, horticultural sciences, poultry sciences, range management, and agricultural soil conservation. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

  • Keep abreast of developments in the field by reading current literature, talking with colleagues, and participating in professional conferences.
  • Advise students on academic and vocational curricula and on career issues.
  • Supervise undergraduate or graduate teaching, internship, and research work.
  • Supervise laboratory sessions and field work and coordinate laboratory operations.
  • Conduct research in a particular field of knowledge and publish findings in professional journals, books, or electronic media.
  • Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as crop production, plant genetics, and soil chemistry.
  • Collaborate with colleagues to address teaching and research issues.
  • Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
  • Evaluate and grade students' class work, laboratory work, assignments, and papers.
  • Maintain regularly scheduled office hours to advise and assist students.
  • Initiate, facilitate, and moderate classroom discussions.
  • Plan, evaluate, and revise curricula, course content, and course materials and methods of instruction.
  • Compile, administer, and grade examinations, or assign this work to others.
  • Maintain student attendance records, grades, and other required records.
  • Participate in student recruitment, registration, and placement activities.
  • Select and obtain materials and supplies, such as textbooks and laboratory equipment.
  • Act as advisers to student organizations.
  • Write grant proposals to procure external research funding.
  • Serve on academic or administrative committees that deal with institutional policies, departmental matters, and academic issues.
  • Participate in campus and community events.
  • Provide professional consulting services to government or industry.
  • Compile bibliographies of specialized materials for outside reading assignments.
  • Perform administrative duties, such as serving as department head.
Work Context
  • Electronic Mail — 100% responded "Every day".
  • Structured versus Unstructured Work — 97% responded "A lot of freedom".
  • Face-to-Face Discussions — 89% responded "Every day".
  • Indoors, Environmentally Controlled — 77% responded "Every day".
  • Freedom to Make Decisions — 74% responded "A lot of freedom".
  • Public Speaking — 55% responded "Every day".
  • Work With Work Group or Team — 62% responded "Extremely important".
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Work Activities
  • Training and Teaching Others — Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
  • Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
  • Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships — Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
  • Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
  • Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge — Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
  • Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events — Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
  • Communicating with Persons Outside Organization — Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
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Detailed Work Activities
  • Develop instructional materials.
  • Evaluate student work.
  • Stay informed about current developments in field of specialization.
  • Attend training sessions or professional meetings to develop or maintain professional knowledge.
  • Teach physical science or mathematics courses at the college level.
  • Guide class discussions.
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Knowledge

Biology
  • Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.
Education and Training
  • Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
English Language
  • Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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Skills

Instructing
  • Teaching others how to do something.
Reading Comprehension
  • Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Learning Strategies
  • Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
Speaking
  • Talking to others to convey information effectively.
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Abilities

Oral Expression
  • The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
Oral Comprehension
  • The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Speech Clarity
  • The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
Written Comprehension
  • The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
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Personality

People interested in this work like activities that include ideas, thinking, and figuring things out.
They do well at jobs that need:
  • Achievement/Effort
  • Persistence
  • Initiative
  • Leadership
  • Cooperation
  • Concern for Others
  • Social Orientation
  • Self Control
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Technology

You might use software like this on the job:

Presentation software
  • Microsoft PowerPoint Hot Technology
Spreadsheet software
  • Microsoft Excel Hot Technology
  • Spreadsheet software
Word processing software
  • Google Docs Hot Technology
  • Microsoft Word Hot Technology
  • Collaborative editing software
  • Word processing software
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