University and college teachers teach classes, conduct research, and write papers.
University and college teachers are also called faculty. They are usually organized into departments based on their subject or field.
Most faculty members teach several courses each term. They may teach undergraduate or graduate students, or both. They may give lectures to several hundred students in large lecture halls. They may also lead small seminars or supervise students in laboratories.
Faculty give lectures, lead discussions, and answer student questions. They prepare lectures, exams, and assignments. They develop classroom exercises or lab experiments. They also grade exams and papers. Faculty with large lecture classes may assign grading of exams to teaching assistants. Faculty advise students about what courses to take. Many supervise the teaching and research of graduate students.
In addition to their teaching duties, faculty must keep up with developments in their field. They read current literature and discuss it with other faculty. They attend professional conferences and present their own work.
Faculty do research to expand knowledge in their field. They conduct experiments to collect and analyze data. They publish their findings in academic journals and books. They also use these findings to update the content of their courses.
Faculty usually post course content and schedules on the Internet, and have contact with students via e-mail. Increasingly, student assignments are collected via e-mail or software that guards against plagiarism. Faculty often integrate social media into their classrooms and lectures.
Faculty also have administrative duties. Most serve on committees that deal with college policy or department matters. Other committees deal with academic issues, budgets, or hiring. Some faculty members work with student groups.
Some faculty are hired as non-tenure track, meaning they are hired for instructional purposes only. These individuals usually teach more courses per academic year but have limited administrative duties.