Head TA

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

Each year, one graduate student will be designated as the Head TA. This student is normally a third-year student with one year of teaching experience as the leader of a laboratory section. The Head TA is appointed by the Department Chair in consultation with the faculty members teaching the introductory courses, the faculty member assigned to oversee the Laboratory course, and the TAs themselves. Appointment will be made in May for a term beginning the following August. If the head TA is a third year student,(s)he will receive an additional compensation of $300 per semester. If the head TA is in the fourth year or up, (s)he will be expected to teach as well. In this case the additional compensation will be $1300.- per semester.

The head TA’s responsibilities include organizing registered students into lab sections, monitoring the curriculum in each lab section, monitoring evaluation of undergraduate students in each section and across sections, organizing grading duties (see below) and arranging and chairing regular teaching meetings of all of the lab instructors and assistant instructors. The Head TA is also responsible for training graduate students in the use of the observatory equipment and liaising with whomever is responsible for the observatory on matters of observatory use and security. The Head TA should report to the Department Chair any equipment that is in need of replacement or any new equipment that may be required. He/she is responsible for an annual budget of an amount to be set each summer by the Chair for the renewal and improvement of laboratory equipment and supplies.

Additional information

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