Department of Chemistry & Chemical Biology TA Orientation
Presented by: The Chemistry and Chemical Biology TA Network
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Chemistry Personnel Chemistry TA Coordinator
Course Coordinators
Dr. Jeff Landry
Greg Bahun
Dr. Peter Kruse
1st Year Coordinator
2nd Year Coordinator
ABB 263 x 23480
ABB 121 x 22485
ABB 301 x 23548
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
Faculty: www.chemistry.mcmaster.ca/faculty
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B108 Wentworth House Phone ext. 24003
[email protected] www.cupe3906.org Unit 1 members: TAs Dental Care (working 130 hours or more) $1000/calendar year Policy #: 97528 (Class A) Division #: Division #1 Certificate #: your student ID #
Vision Care $250/24 months Covers exams, prescription glasses, safety glasses and sunglasses
Childcare
UHIP Rebate
Hardship Fund
$100/year Just need to bring a receipt(s)
$100/year Just need to bring Pay stub
Max. $500/year Evaluated on a case by case basis
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Chemistry Personnel Undergraduate Technicians
Heather Pettit
Patricia Martin
Angela Vanderlaan
Nicki Robinson
Paul Chindemi
Upper Year Coordinators
Karen Newmann
Leah Allen
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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) iSci – Integrated Science
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Undergraduate Chemistry Courses • Second Year • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
2AA3 - Quantitative Chemical Analysis 2E03 - Introductory Organic Chemistry 2II3 - Introductory Inorganic Chemistry: Structure and Bonding 2LA3/2LAB3 - Tools for Chemical Discovery I/II 2OA3/2OB3 & CB2OA3/CB2OB3 - Organic Chemistry I/II 2OC3 - Structure and Reactivity of Organic Molecules 2OD3 - Synthesis and Function of Organic Molecules 2PC3 - Mathematical Tools for Chemical Problems 2PD3 - Equilibria and Kinetics 2Q03 - Inquiry in Chemistry 2WW2 - Inorganic Chemistry for Materials Engineers CB2A03/CB2AA3 - Introduction to Bio-analytical Chemistry CB2L03 - Chemical Biology Laboratory I CB2P03 - Bio-Physical Chemistry CB2Q03 - Inquiry for Chemical Biology 6
Undergraduate Chemistry Courses • Third Year • • • • • • • • • • •
3AA3 Instrumental Analysis 3II3 – Introduction to Transition Metal Chemistry 3IO3 – Industrial Chemistry 3LA3 – Strategies for Chemical Discovery 3LB3 – Applications of Chemical Inquiry 3OA3 – Organic Synthesis 3PA3 – Quantum Mechanics and Spectroscopy 3PB3 – Physical Chemistry of Advanced Materials CB3OA3 – Bio-organic Chemistry CB3PO3 – Biomolecular Interactions CB3LO3 – Chemical Biology Laboratory II
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Possible TA Duties Lab 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)
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Lab Demonstrator – The Basics 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
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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 10
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
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Lab Demonstrator – Tips & Advice Pre-lab • Read over entire experiment (including the questions) • Go see the coordinator to get clarification on any part of the procedure
15-min Meeting • Take notes • Ask questions
Experiment time • • • •
Circulate & observe Ask Questions, don’t just give answers Time management – Keep students moving! Safety 12
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, assignments, labs and lecture material 13
Marker – The Basics • • • •
Lab marking Assignments Midterm and exam marking Consistency • Follow the marking scheme • Report errors in marking scheme • Communication – to course coordinator and professor
• Efficiency • Mark all the same question at the same time
• Be aware of cheating! 14
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
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Departmental TA Awards • Recognizes the many exceptional TAs in our department each semester • Acknowledgement based on nominations of TAs that have: • Made a difference to their students • Gone above and beyond their expected duties • Demonstrated qualities that deserves special recognition
• Nomination forms are available at www.chemistry.mcmaster.ca • TA can be nominated by undergrad. students, peers, course supervisors and staff
• Awards announced at a TA Appreciation Reception at the end of the term 16
Resources: Centre for Leadership in Learning • A resource centre for everyone (including faculty) who teaches at McMaster • Helpful resource for supplementary materials, courses, workshops, seminars • Check out their website for useful information and events http://cll.mcmaster.ca/ (Mills Library, L504)
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Resources: TA Network – Mac Chem TA • Our Mission • Helping you be a happy, effective TA in the Chemistry & Chemical Biology 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]
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Chem & Chem Bio TA Network Patricia Edem (2OA3)
[email protected]
Karen Lam (1AA3/1A03)
[email protected]
Janice Cheung (1AA3/1A03)
[email protected]
Lukas Sadowski (2OB3)
[email protected]
Laura Dodge (2OA3/2OB3)
[email protected]
Meera Shanmuganathan (2OB3)
[email protected]
Fan Fei (1AA3)
[email protected]
Carlos Zepeda (2OD3)
[email protected]
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Departmental Orientation Thursday September 8th, 2011 10:30 am – 4:00 pm ABB A404
Meet ‘n Greet Welcome BBQ 4:30 pm The Phoenix (Wentworth Lounge)
