Eligibility for Teaching Assistant Positions
All new students must attend mandatory TA training sessions, campus-wide TA Orientation, and the required laboratory safety course during New Grad Academic Training in September. Any homework assignments associated with training must also be submitted. Students will receive a TA Training Handbook during New Grad Academic Training, which should be retained and referenced for the duration of their graduate career at UCSB. New TAs are required to enroll in Chem 501A and attend weekly TA meetings. International students and permanent residents whose native language is not English must pass the mandatory English for Multilingual Students (EMS) oral exam before being certified for sole classroom teaching.
To maintain eligibility for TA nominations, continuing students must maintain good academic standing and perform all TA duties adequately. Assessment of adequate TA performance will be determined by the instructor in charge of the course and submission of undergraduate evaluation forms. Students who do not meet eligibility standards for one or more quarters will not be selected for future TA positions until performance is determined to be adequately improved.
TA Absence Protocol: Teaching Assistants who will miss lab for any reason during the quarter must submit an Absence Approval Request Form with the appropriate approvals to the Staff Graduate Program Advisor at least one week prior to the start of the quarter. All TAs must be present on the first day of instruction, regardless of scheduled teaching times. TAs who will miss more than one week during the quarter will be ineligible for a position. Substitute TAs must have prior experience teaching the course and must be approved by the instructor in charge of the course.
Training and Reference Materials
Assistabt Professor of Teaching, Dr. Stephanie Pazos, works with all new students in preparation for teaching assignments. Workshops, presentations, and assignments include Teaching Responsibilities,Teaching Problem Solving, lecture presentations, and TA meetings. Chemistry and Biochemistry Student Affairs staff provides information on undergraduate enrollment processes and waiting list procedures. The Teaching Assistant Manual, distributed during Orientation, should be consulted throughout a student's tenure as a TA.
Undergraduate "Crashers" and Waiting Lists
Students across many majors are required to take our General Chemistry and Organic Chemistry courses. For safety and other reasons, we sometimes are unable to accommodate all students. Students can add to the waiting list, for courses that have reached their maximum capacity. Students on waiting list(s) are expected to "crash" (crashing means to attend class until a student is able to secure a seat or informed they will not be able to enroll) until the add deadline (see current quarter calendar).
Teaching Assistants are expected to adhere to the following instructions:
1. Take Attendance: If a student is listed on your roster and does NOT show up on the first day of lab, they will be dropped from the course.
2. The Lead TA will manage all crashers and approval codes.
3. Submit your Drop List to the undergraduate advisor immediately after your section and no later than the end of the day your section is held.
Enrolled students who are trying to switch sections MUST switch with another enrolled student. If a student is trying to switch into your section, please direct them to either the Lead TA or the following link: https://forms.gle/rkef1WnUvcY2QsYH6.
Teaching Assistants who have questions about undergraduate waiting lists and crashers should consult the Undergraduate Advisor before the first day of class.