The College of Computer, Mathematical & Natural Sciences Undergraduate
Teaching Assistant Fellows Program Spring 2012

APPLICATION: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/uta-spring2012

The College of Computer, Mathematical & Natural Sciences will employ
Undergraduate Teaching Assistants (UTAs) in a program designed to develop
teaching and communication skills, organization ability, knowledge, and
leadership. Each UTA Fellow will teach one laboratory or one discussion
section per week for the spring semester.  In addition all new UTA Fellows
will attend a training seminar  in which teaching, organization, and
leadership skills will be the topic of conversation.  The seminar will be
scheduled either as a one credit weekly course for 10 weeks in the
semester or a workshop prior to the beginning of classes in January.  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.

Students must stipulate in the application if they want to apply for
Biology or for Chemistry UTA positions.  They may not apply for both.

The duties will include:
·      Attend weekly prep meetings as scheduled by the lab or discussion
supervisor
·      Attend lectures, as directed
·      Teach one lab or one discussion section per week
·      Adequately prepare for teaching the lab or discussion
·      Grade papers & assignments (which can include lecture exams) as
assigned by the lab or discussion supervisor
·      Hold office hours as directed by the lab or discussion supervisor
·      Help to proctor lecture exams as needed
·      New UTAs must attend the one credit course in the semester or the
workshop prior to the beginning of classes, as determined
This work is expected to require up to 10  hours per week, depending on
the course requirements.  The stipend is $1500.00 for the semester, paid
in an hourly wage.  Undergraduate students will 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.

Timeline for applications and selection process:
·      UTA applications are due no later than November 29, 2011, via the
webpage listed:   https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/uta-spring2012

·      UTA positions will be awarded starting December 9, 2011 and hiring
will continue until all positions are filled in January.
Minimum application requirements
·      Junior or Senior standing  (on limited occasion, we will consider a
qualified sophomore)
·       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.
o   Students with AP credit for a course will have completed the next
higher level course with a grade of B or higher
o   For the non-majors courses BSCI103 and BSCI125 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.
o   At least one four hour block of time available to teach a 2 or 3 hour
lab or discussion
o   Time free to attend lectures for course
o   Time free to attend prep meeting.  Prep meeting times are provided
below.
o    New UTAs will have time to register for and attend the 1-hour per
week teaching skills seminar course or attend the workshop prior to the
start of classes. (TBD)
·      Information on the seminar course number will be available once UTA
Fellowships are awarded.
The courses available for UTAs and the typical prep meeting times  for
each course are listed below.  It is not assured that UTAs will be hired
for any particular course.  UTA positions will be filled based on staffing
needs and applicant backgrounds.

Students may not apply for BOTH chemistry and biology UTA positions, but
must choose between them.
BSCI103 The World of Biology;  (4 credits . An introduction to modern
biology for the non-science major. Relevance of study of biology to modern
human life will be emphasized. Course not acceptable toward degree in
College of Chemical and Life Sciences. For non-science majors general
education credit.
            Prep meeting: Thursday 9:30 ­ 10:30am
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:  TBA, but possibly on Friday 2 ­ 5pm
BSCI125 Plant Biology Laboratory;  For non-science majors only.  An
introduction to the biology of plants with emphasis on the processes by
which plants function, the diversity of plants, and the importance of
plants to humans.
            Prep meetings TBA
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  TBA
CHEM132 General Chemistry I Laboratory;  Introduction to the
quanitification of chemical substances, including the concept of the mole
and chemical stoichiometry. Additional work involves the synthesis of
ionic substances and their qualitative characterization.
            Prep meetings:  usually ­ but not always ­ mid day on Friday
CHEM147 Principles of Chemistry Laboratory. Introduction to the synthesis
and characterization of inorganic substances.
            Prep meetings:  TBA
CHEM232 Organic Chemistry Laboratory I; Provides experience in developing
some basic laboratory techniques, recrystallizaton, distillation,
extraction, chromatography.
            Prep meetings:  Friday 9 ­ 10am
CHEM242 Organic Chemistry Laboratory II; Synthetic organic chemistry
through functional group manipulation, introduction to instrumentation
essential to analysis and structure elucidation.
Prep meetings: Friday 9 ­ 10am
CHEM272 General Bioanalytical Chemistry Laboratory;  An introduction to
analytical chemistry with an emphasis on bio-analytical instrumentation
and techniques.
            Prep meeting:  Wednesday 6 ­ 8pm

Interested students fill out the application found here:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/uta-spring2012

 Please contact Dr. Marcia Shofner if you have any questions:
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_____________________________________________
Dr. Marcia Shofner
Assistant Director Biological Sciences
CMNS, University of Maryland
1326 Symons Hall
College Park, MD 20742
FAX:  301-405-1655
Phone:  301-405-7678
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