Every semester, Biological Sciences seeks exceptional students to become undergraduate teaching assistants.

The primary goal of a an undergraduate teaching assistant (UTA) is to enhance student learning by assisting the primary course instructor. When UTAs are matched with a course, they are supervised by the courses’s instructor or lab/discussion coordinator. They are expected to be familiar with the course’s content, to communicate regularly with course faculty, to complete tasks-assigned, and to engage students in a professional manner. 

Responsibilities

A UTA’s responsibilities will vary and depend on the BSCI course they’re matched with. Duties may include teaching lab or discussion sections, facilitating in-class learning activities, holding review sessions for students, in addition to grading exams, papers, worksheets, and problem sets. A full list of BSCI courses that are accepting UTAs is included on the ELMS page for the UTA Program—see the red button at the bottom of the webpage.

Commitment & Stipend

UTAs can expect to work on average 10 hours per week, depending on the BSCI course. First-time UTAs are required to attend a weekly, 1-credit teaching seminar as onboarding for their new role. The stipend for a teaching assistantship is determined by the current minimum wage policy at the University of Maryland, and is paid as an hourly wage for 150 hours per semester.

Questions? Email:

Dr. Danielle Adams

Assistant Director for Curriculum & Instruction | email: dadams37@umd.edu