University professors teach courses to undergraduate and graduate students and conduct research at universities and degree-granting colleges. University professors who are heads of departments are included in this unit group.
Possible Titles:
assistant professor, botany associate professor, linguistics chairperson, food sciences department chairperson, physics department department head, geography English professor lecturer, university professor of computer sciences professor of medicine university instructor, engineering university professor
Responsibilities:
University professors perform some or all of the following duties:
Teach one or more university subjects to undergraduate and graduate students
Prepare and deliver lectures to students and conduct laboratory sessions or discussion groups
Prepare, administer and grade examinations, laboratory assignments and reports
Advise students on course and academic matters and career decisions
Direct research programs of graduate students and advise on research matters
Conduct research in field of specialization and publish findings in scholarly journals or books
May serve on faculty committees dealing with such matters as curriculum planning and degree requirements, and perform a variety of administrative duties
May represent their universities as speakers and guest lecturers
May provide professional consultative services to government, industry and private individuals.
University professors specialize in a particular subject matter such as biology, chemistry, anatomy, sociology, business administration or law.
Employment Requirments:
A doctoral degree in the field of specialization is required.
Licences or professional certification may be required for professors teaching future practitioners in certain professionally regulated fields, such as medicine, engineering, architecture, psychology or law.
Additional information
University professors who are also practitioners in their field of specialization must have the appropriate licences or certification.
Progression to senior positions within a department, faculty or university is possible with experience.
Courtesy of: Human Resources and Skills Development Canada