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Department of Chemistry TA Orientation By: The Chemistry TA Network Heather Cuthbert, Amanda Donovan, Christa Homenick, Anika Louie
Department of ChemistryTA Orientation
By: The Chemistry TA Network
Heather Cuthbert, Amanda Donovan, Christa Homenick, Anika Louie
TA Network
Heather CuthbertABB [email protected]
Christa HomenickABB [email protected]
Anika LouieABB [email protected]
Amanda DonovanABB [email protected]
Chemistry Personnel
Jeff Landry
1st Year CoordinatorHeather Pettit
Brad Sheeller
2nd Year Coordinator
Angela Vanderlaan
Karen Newmann and Leah Allen
Upper Year Coordinators
Faculty: www.chemistry.mcmaster.ca/faculty
Patricia Martin
Janet Welsh
Undergraduate TechniciansCourse Coordinators
Nicki Robinson
Undergraduate Chemistry Courses
• First Year • 1AO3/1AA3 – Introductory Chemistry I/II• 1EO3 – General Chemistry of Engineers I• 1RO3 – General Chemistry (for students without High
School chemistry)
• Second Year• 2AO3 – Analytical Chemistry I (Engineers)• 2EO3 – Introductory Organic (Engineers)• 2BA3/2BB3 – Organic Chemistry A/B• 2OA3/2OB3 – Organic Chemistry I/II (Biology/Health
Science)• 2IO3 – Structure and Reactions of the Main Group
Elements• 2NO3 – Analytical Chemistry (Biology)• 2PA3 – Thermodynamics & Phase Equilibria• 2PB3 – Chemical Thermodynamics and Kinetics• 2RO3 – General Physical Chemistry (Biology)• 2WW2 – Inorganic Chemistry for Materials Engineers
Undergraduate Chemistry Courses
• Third Year• 3AO3 – Analytical Chemistry II• 3BA3 – Quantum Mechanics & Spectroscopy I• 3DO3 – Organic Chemistry• 3FO3 – Bio-Organic Chemistry (Biology)• 3LI3 – Chemistry Laboratory Inquiry• 3PO3 – Transition Metal Chemistry
Undergraduate Chemistry Courses
Possible TA DutiesLab Demonstrator
• Responsible for overseeing students in lab, demonstrating techniques, safety, marking labs, etc.
Tutorial Leader• Responsible for leading tutorials for students, answering student
questions, help centre
Marker• Responsible for marking assignments, tests, exams, etc.
Invigilator• Responsible for monitoring students writing tests or exams,
watching for and reporting cheating
Others??
Note: Your assigned TA unit (1 unit = 65 hours) may be a combination of one or more of the above duties (ie. Tutorial Leader and Invigilator)
Preparation is Key• Read Lab Manual Prior to Lab
• Available On-line – Be sure and print out a copy!• Don’t forget to read over instructions for any specific
techniques!• Questions? Ask Lab Coordinator for that course
• Proper Attire – Set a Good Example• No shorts/sandals• Hair tied back• Safety goggles• Lab coat
Lab Demonstrator – The Basics
Timeline (1AO3/1EO3, 2OA3)• Prelab Meeting (15 min.)
• Extra information for TAs for the lab that week • Video introductions for each lab (1st, 2nd Year)
• Remember to turn the TV on!
• Take attendance• Experiment Time• Students will complete reports in lab and hand
them in immediately• TA marks student reports with given a marking
scheme in ~ 1 week time• TA records marks and enters them on-line or
gives them to the Lab Coordinator
Lab Demonstrator – First Lab
• Introduce yourself • Write your name on the board how you would
like it spelled! • Your contact info (optional)
• Your Time• Outline expectations/standards
• Penalties for not meeting these standards
• Encouragement/Reassurances• Lab Tips & Tricks for Success
Lab Demonstrator – Tips & Advice
• 15 min Meeting• Take notes• Ask questions
• Experiment time• Circulate & observe• Ask Questions, don’t just give answers• Time management – Keep students moving!• Safety
Tutorial Leader – The Basics• Preparation is Key
• Read over tutorial/answers• Work out problems yourself, ask questions• Awareness (Deadlines, quizzes, lectures, etc.)
• What to Expect• Tutorial = Open Format
• Lecture style – helpful for clarification of a difficult concept• Question & Answer – be careful not to answer assignment
questions!• Student directed – i.e. “What tutorial problems were the
hardest? Let’s go over them.”• Small group discussion – Circulate and monitor group
problem solving• Help Centre = Chaos
• Students will ask anything and everything• Be well prepared!• Be aware of tutorial/assignment problems, lecture material
Marker – The Basics
• Consistency• Follow the marking scheme• Report errors in marking scheme• Communication – to other TAs and professor
• Efficiency• Mark all the same question at the same time
• Be aware of cheating!
Invigilator – The Basics
• Know your surroundings• Washroom locations, etc.
• Bring a watch (not all rooms have clocks)
• Cheating = Large problem• Circulate and observe• Report suspicious behavior to co-invigilators/
faculty
• Clarify questions but don’t give answers or hints
B108 Wentworth HousePhone ext. 24003
Resources
Dr. Peter KruseABB [email protected]
Chemistry TA Coordinator Senior Teaching Assistants
1AO3/1AA3:Volodia SvitlykGreg SmithCarlos CruzDave Brock (Tutuorials)
2OA3/2OB3:Lawrence HuckFarah LollmahomedTomoko AharenTeri GallonDave Thompson (Tutuorials)
Graduate Student Contact List:http://www.chemistry.mcmaster.ca/grad_students/index.html
2N03/2A03:Linda DavisBonnie LeungRichard Lee
Your Union Steward:Greg [email protected]
TA Network – Mac Chem TA
• Our Mission• Helping you be a happy, effective TA in the
Chemistry Department
• How to Accomplish This?• Workshops (i.e. Marking), Discussion Groups,
etc. offered throughout the year• Development of TA resources for Chemistry• Ask us your Questions, tell us your Problems/
FRUSTRATIONS!!!
• Contact us at: [email protected]
