Biological Sciences Undergraduate Teaching Assistant Fellows Program Spring 2013

The Biological Sciences Program, within the College of Computer, Mathematical and Natural Sciences, will employ Undergraduate Teaching Assistants (UTAs) Spring 2013 in a program designed to develop teaching andcommunication skills, organization ability, knowledge, and leadership. Each UTA will be supervised by the lab or discussion coordinator for the course they are assigned to, and will be required to perform the duties typically expected of a teaching assistant.

UTA duties will include:

·      Attend weekly prep meetings as scheduled by the lab or discussion supervisor (see below for times)

·      Attend lectures.

·      Teach one lab or discussion section per week (except for BSCI207)

·      Adequately prepare for teaching the lab or discussion

·      Grade papers & assignments as assigned by the lab or discussion supervisor, or the faculty instructor

·      Hold office hours as directed by the lab or discussion supervisor

·      Help to proctor lecture exams as needed

·      Be available one week prior to the beginning of classes for scheduled TA meetings

·      UTA’s who have not previously done so will register for and attend a 1-credit weekly seminar course on teaching skills and issues, BSCI279P, which meets on Tuesday evenings

New UTAs must attend a lab safety training session prior to or during the first week of classes. This work will require 10 - 15 hours per week, depending on the course requirements.  The stipend is $1500.00 for the semester, paid in an hourly wage.  Undergraduate studentswill be hired for only one UTA position in any given semester, but will be allowed to apply for a position in a later semester, assuming their performance is satisfactory.

Interested students fill out the application found here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/utaspring2013

UTA applications are due October 31, 2013.

UTA positions will be awarded starting December 2013, and hiring will continue until all positions are filled.

Minimum application requirements:
-Junior or senior standing
-Overall GPA of 3.0 or higher
-Have taken the course they wish to TA at UMCP and earned a grade of B or higher.
-Students with AP credit for a course will have completed the next higher level course with a grade of B or higher
-For the non-majors courses a UTA will have earned a grade of B or higher in either BSCI105 or BSCI06, taken at UMCP.
-Sufficient time free for the UTA position
-At least one four hour block of time available to teach a 2 or 3 hour lab or discussion
-Time free to attend lectures for course
-Time free to attend prep meeting.  Prep meeting times are provided below.
-Time to attend the 1-hour per week teaching skills seminar course. The teaching seminar course will be held:  Tues. 5 - 6 pm

The courses available for UTAs and the typical prep meeting times for each course are listed below.  It is not assured that UTA applicants will be hired for any particular course.  UTA positions will be filled based on staffing needs and applicant backgrounds.

BSCI103 The World of Biology. An introduction to modern biology for the non-science major
Prep meetings:  Wednesday 8 - 9:30am

BSCI105 Principles of Biology I; Basic principles of biology with special emphasis on cellular and molecular biology.
Prep meetings:  Friday 2 - 5pm

BSCI106 Principles of Biology II. Basic principles of biology with special emphasis on ecology, evolution, and animal behavior.
Prep meeting:  Friday 3 - 5pm

BSCI124/125 Plant Biology for Non-Science Students.
Prep meeting:  Friday afternoon, exact time TBA

BSCI 201 Human Anatomy and Physiology I. Anatomy and physiology of the skeletal, muscular, neural, endocrine, and sensory systems.
Prep meetings: Friday 1 – 3pm

BSCI202 Human Anatomy and Physiology II. Anatomy and physiology of the cardiovascular, respiratory, immune, digestive, urinary and reproductive systems.
Prep meetings:  Thursday 2 - 4pm

BSCI207 Principles of Biology III. The diversity, structure and function of organisms as understood from the perspective of their common physicochemical principles and unique evolutionary histories.
Prep meeting time TBA

BSCI222 Principles of Genetics. Principles and mechanisms of heredity and gene expression.
Prep meetings Friday 8 - 9am

BSCI330 Cell Biology and Physiology.
Prep meetings Friday 12 - 3pm


Interested students fill out the application found here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/utaspring2013

Questions?  Contact Dr. Francisca Saavedra,  [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>.