Department of Chemistry
TA Orientation
By: The Chemistry TA Network
Heather Cuthbert, Amanda Donovan,
Christa Homenick, Anika Louie
TA Network
Heather Cuthbert
ABB 443
cuthbehl@mcmaster.ca
x27396
Christa Homenick
ABB A402A
homenicm@mcmaster.ca
x27678
Amanda Donovan
ABB 466
donovaac@mcmaster.ca
x27128
Anika Louie
ABB 466
louieas@mcmaster.ca
x27128
Chemistry Personnel
Course Coordinators
Jeff Landry
Brad Sheeller
1st Year Coordinator
2nd Year Coordinator
Undergraduate Technicians
Janet Welsh
Heather Pettit
Karen Newmann
and Leah Allen
Upper Year
Coordinators
Nicki Robinson Patricia Martin
Faculty: www.chemistry.mcmaster.ca/faculty
Angela
Vanderlaan
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)
Undergraduate Chemistry Courses
• Second Year
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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
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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
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)
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
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No shorts/sandals
Hair tied back
Safety goggles
Lab coat
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
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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
Resources
Chemistry TA Coordinator
Senior Teaching Assistants
1AO3/1AA3:
Volodia Svitlyk
Greg Smith
Carlos Cruz
Dave Brock (Tutuorials)
Dr. Peter Kruse
ABB 263
pkruse@mcmaster.ca
x23480
2OA3/2OB3:
Lawrence Huck
Farah Lollmahomed
Tomoko Aharen
Teri Gallon
Dave Thompson (Tutuorials)
2N03/2A03:
Linda Davis
Bonnie Leung
Richard Lee
Graduate Student Contact List:
http://www.chemistry.mcmaster.ca/grad_students/index.html
B108 Wentworth House
Phone ext. 24003
cupe3906@mcmaster.ca
www.cupe3906.org
Your Union Steward:
Greg Smith
smithgl@mcmaster.ca
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: macchemta@yahoo.ca