Teaching Assistantships (TAs)

Two types of TA jobs exist in Math, grading and teaching recitation sections, each requiring 12 hours of work per week. Both types of jobs are paid at the same rate; both entail service-course and final exam proctoring responsibilities. The Undergraduate Math Office assigns service-course proctoring duties from the first day of classes through the end of the Final Exam Period. One faculty member in Pure Math and one in Applied Math determine TA grading assignments at the start of the term, trying to select the student best suited for each particular job. Grading assignments may require any or all of the following: grading homework and/or exams, writing solutions to problem sets, proctoring for the class, and holding office hours. Students are expected to meet and communicate with the Instructor to clarify specific duties as soon as assignments are announced. Instructors establish all rules for each TA job: the TA assignment should be viewed as a contract between the Instructor, acting on behalf of the Department, and the student. If a problem arises or if a TA needs to be absent from campus for some time during the period of the TA assignment, the TA should make this known to the Instructor as well as the Undergraduate Math Office. Satisfactory performance of all TA duties is expected. Faculty will evaluate TA performance each semester. Unsatisfactory performance as a TA could result in pay reduction. In extreme cases, students will be placed on Academic Warning at the end of the semester with future funding in jeopardy.

Teacher Training

In order to teach recitation sections in Math Department courses, students must complete the departmental teacher training program. Please visit Teacher Training for more information.