Grading responsibilities

This is a reference page for Graduate student information.

THIS PAGE IS NOT OFFICIAL DEPARTMENTAL POLICY. IT MERELY REPRESENTS THE PEER-ADVICE PROVIDED BY FELLOW STUDENTS AND FACULTY.

What the handbook says

The large size of the introductory undergraduate astronomy classes, coupled with the Department’s exam style (long-answer problems) and the short deadlines for submitting grades makes it essential that graduate students assist in the grading of midterm and final exams for these courses. In order to avoid placing an undue burden on individual students (recognizing that it is exam time for them as well), the Department expects that students will contribute to grading exams throughout their first three years at Columbia; in addition, students beyond the third year who are teaching for extra compensation will also be considered part of the grading pool. Each student will be expected to grade an equal number of times each year (usually four or five) for a total each time not likely to exceed five hours per session. The Head TA will maintain a roster of student graders and record the discharge of their duties so as to assure an even distribution of labor. Grading of problem sets and quizzes for the undergraduate astronomy courses is normally done by undergraduate majors hired for the purpose. Graduate students who wish to volunteer to undertake this extra grading may be able to do so for additional compensation.

Additional information

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