Undergraduate Teaching Assistants

The Department of Computer Science has 4 positions providing undergraduate TA support:

1. Undergraduate Teaching Assistant (UGTA)

2. Senior Undergraduate Teaching Assistant (Sr. UGTA)

3. Course Coordinator-in-training (CCIT)

4. Course Coordinator (CC)

UGTAs in the Department of Computer Science assist instructors in delivering undergraduate computer science courses. CS introductory courses use active learning and collaborative learning spaces to provide a collaborative and supportive environment for students learning programming skills. All teaching assistants have taken and excelled in the courses they support and are familiar with the material to mentor new students as they learn.

Sr. UGTAs in the Department of Computer Science are experienced UGTAs (with at least 2 semesters of CS UGTA experience), who take on a leadership role. They will assist with UGTA hiring, work closely with the course coordinator on various tasks, lead UGTA training, and mentor new UGTAs. 

UGTAs, Sr. UGTAs, CCITs and CCs typically provide support for CSC 101, 110, 120, 144, 210, 244, 252, and 335. There may also be opportunities to support other courses in the department, depending on need. 

UGTAs have varying responsibilities, depending on the course. In general, UGTAs will:

• Attend class lectures to support collaborative in-class activities

• Offer office hours to help students one-on-one

• Answer student questions via course discussion forums

• Offer supplemental instruction section each week

• Assist with grading assignments and exams

• Help develop and test course content

• Actively participate in weekly staff meetings

Senior UGTAs have the above responsibilities plus:

• Assist with UGTA Hiring
• Work closely with the course coordinator on various tasks
• Lead UGTA training
• Mentor new UGTAs
   

Qualifications for Teaching Assistant

1. Willingness to mentor CS students and support them to be successful college students

2. Demonstrated organizational and communication skills

3. Ability to attend lectures of class in which applying to be UGTA

4. Interest in supporting collaborative and positive environments for CS students

5. Availability to attend weekly course meetings

6. Currently in good academic standing with overall and major GPAs. Generally, applicants should have GPA 3.0 or higher and have completed or are currently in progress (during the semester of submitting an application) with completing CSC 120, Introduction to Computer Programming II. Students who have not already completed or are not enrolled in CSC 120 at the time of application must obtain a recommendation from a CS instructor in order to be considered. 

7. Availability to work an average of 10 - 12 hours of work per week

Course coordinators are experienced UGTAs that assist the instructor with course management and will have a supervisory role with the course UGTAs.

Course coordinators are expected to help the instructor with the many facets of managing large courses that have many students and many UGTAs supporting these students. Course coordinator duties will vary in each course and in general course coordinators will:

• Assist with classroom management

• Assist with UGTA coordination and supervision

• Assist with developing, reviewing, and testing homework problems, quizzes, and exam questions

• Assist students via email and course discussion forums

• Assist with grading and monitoring grading of UGTAs

• Assist in covering for absent UGTAs

• Assist with preparation for and attend weekly staff meetings

• Other duties as assigned by instructor

Qualifications for Course Coordinator

1. Previous SL/UGTA in course to which applying with positive reviews from instructor(s) and students (Preferred)

2. Strong interest in supporting instructors with course management

3. Willingness to mentor other students and support them to be successful UGTAs

4. Demonstrated organizational and communication skills

5. Ability to attend lectures of class in which applying to be coordinator

6. Interest in supporting collaborative and positive environments for CS students

7. Availability to attend weekly course meetings and other planning meetings, as needed

8. Currently in good academic standing with overall and major GPAs

9. Availability to work an average of 10-12 hours of work per week. 

Work an average of 10 - 12 hours per week. May look something like below. Instructors establish work expectations. 

• 3-4 hours of course lecture

• 2-3 hours for office hours

• 3-4 hours grading 

• 1 hour course preparation/miscellaneous 

• 1 hour weekly course meeting

   

   

Students may receive pay for being a teaching assistant*. Compensation begins at $14.50. The hourly pay rate depends on the UA and department minimums. Pending available funds/TA budget, students may receive increases in their hourly rate based on the number of semesters in the position and position type. Pay increases are not guaranteed. Students are hired as department employees and are responsible for reviewing and understanding the policies in the Student Employment Manual.

*Starting Fall 2024:

The Department of Computer Science is transitioning from a “TA for pay” model to a “TA for credit” model. All new UGTAs for fall 2024 are offered a TA position under the “TA for credit” model. 

New UGTAs for fall 2024 are enrolled in their instructor/supervisor’s CSC 391 (Preceptorship; SPF grading) section for 3 units (equivalent to 9-11 hrs of TA work per week) under the course instructor/supervisor. Preceptorship units count towards your UA degree requirements for upper-division units (CSC 391 units do not count towards CS major requirements and do not impact GPA). Review the generic CSC 391 syllabus for information about the course. Instructors may have their own CSC 391 syllabus.

Students choosing to volunteer for being a teaching assistant will be required to complete all necessary paperwork required for volunteering. Students choosing this option will be contacted by a member of the Department of Computer Science Financial and Administrative Services in order to complete the process. 

Applications for current and former CS UGTAs:  HERE (https://forms.gle/ZkXdZFZi4kjRF5XV9) MARCH 28, 2024 DEADLINE

Applications for new/prospective UGTAs:  HERE (https://forms.gle/11Xgvn1cYzKAvQqh7) MARCH 28, 2024 DEADLINE

For Fall hiring (occurs in spring semester): Applications typically open in late March/early April. 

For Spring hiring (occurs in fall semester): Applications typically open in late October/early November. 

The interview is split into two parts (30 mins total):

1. Getting to know you. Questions about relevant experience(s), motivation for being a UGTA, and discussion about the UGTA role. Conducted by current course coordinators. (~10 mins)
2. In-class activity simulation. You will take on the role of a UGTA in a classroom-like setting. Current TAs will take on the role of students working on an assignment. A course coordinator will be observing you during this portion of the interview. (~20 mins)