• Minimum eligibility requirements that must be met by the start of the quarter of TA assignment:
1. Completion of at least a bachelor's degree.
2. A year of general chemistry, including labs.
3. A grade of A- or higher in the same or equivalent course/course sequence of TA assignment.
4. A transcript showing degree conferral and chemistry courses completed (with grades) must be brought to York 4010, May 26, 2008 .
• Graduate students from departments other than Chemistry and Biochemistry are assigned to lab courses, and these are the courses that should be selected on the TA assignment request form. However, those with training in physical chemistry may be eligible to TA in upper-division lecture courses Chem 126, 127, 131, 132, or 133. Contact Alejandro Vasquez for more information.
• Students enroll in Chemistry 500 (4 units) the quarter(s) they TA. The first quarter in which students TA in the Department, they must attend the weekly TA Training Seminar affiliated with Chemistry 500 (see Schedule of Classes ). At the seminar, they will receive a Teaching Apprentice Handbook.
• Responsibilities for Satisfactory Performance. At the first instructor-TA meeting for the course (attendance mandatory), instructors will outline the actual TA duties for their course. More information about responsibilities are covered during the TA Training Seminar affiliated with Chemistry 500. However, duties typically required of all TAs are:
1. Attend all instructor-TA meetings.
2. Attend all lectures of the course they are TAing.
3. Lead one or more discussion or lab sections as agreed at the time of TA assignment (see Course Descriptions and TA/Tutor Section Assignments).
4. Assist with grading and proctoring.
5. Hold office hours or cover Helproom (Chem 6ABC).
6. Other duties as needed for a particular course, such as quizzes, preparation for sections, and lab demonstrations.
7. Lab TAs must attend MANDATORY safety training and meetings.
• Performance Evaluations and Standards. TAs are evaluated by the instructor of the course and by the students they teach. More information on performance standards is provided at the TA Training Seminar affiliated with Chemistry 500.
• Workload and Time Frame: A total workload of 184 hours over 12 weeks, or 42%. Most of these hours are accrued in the 10-week quarter and finals week (see Schedule of Classes ). Depending on the needs of a specific course, instructors will inform TAs of the need to work hours in the pre-quarter week.
• Employment Information
1. The Chem/Biochem Business Office (not Student Affairs) will contact you if you need to attend a MANDATORY employee sign-up session.
2. Graduate students employed in Teaching Assistant title codes 2310 and 2311 are covered by a collective bargaining agreement between UCSD and the ASE/UAW.
3. In 2005/2006, the 42% pay rate for Teaching Assistants was $1,407.70/month.
4. TAs are paid monthly. The payroll period for Fall quarter is October 1-December 31 (first check November 1), for Winter quarter it is January 1-March 31, and for Spring quarter it is April 1-June 30.
5. Graduate students with academic appointments totalling 25% time or more or entitled to a full Graduate Student Health Insurance Premium Remission, and Educational and Registration Fee Remission, and other applicable benefits as set forth in the Agreement. Please check the Agreement for the specific eligibility requirements and amounts of each remission.
6. Names and addresses of all ASEs are released to the UAW each quarter.
7. ASE/UAW membership dues or the agency fee (for those who choose not to become ASE/UAW members) will be deducted each month from the TA paycheck. The amount of dues is 1.15% of gross TA earnings; the agency fee is 0.92%.
8. See the OGSR website for additional information concerning Academic Student Employment (ASE).
9. Questions about TAships should be directed to Alejandro Vasquez.

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