Department of Chemistry Chemical Biology TA Orientation

Department of Chemistry & Chemical Biology TA Orientation Presented by: The Chemistry and Chemical Biology TA Network 1

Chemistry Personnel Chemistry TA Coordinator Course Coordinators Dr. Jeff Landry Greg Bahun Dr. Peter Kruse 1 st Year Coordinator 2 nd Year Coordinator ABB 263 x 23480 ABB 121 x 22485 ABB 301 x 23548 pkruse@mcmaster. ca landryjc@mcmaster. ca bahungj@mcmaster. ca Faculty: www. chemistry. mcmaster. ca/faculty 2

B 108 Wentworth House Phone ext. 24003 cupe 3906@mcmaster. ca www. cupe 3906. 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 3

Chemistry Personnel Undergraduate Technicians Heather Pettit Patricia Martin Angela Vanderlaan Nicki Robinson Paul Chindemi Upper Year Coordinators Karen Newmann Leah Allen 4

Undergraduate Chemistry Courses • First Year • • 1 AO 3/1 AA 3 – Introductory Chemistry I/II 1 EO 3 – General Chemistry of Engineers I 1 RO 3 – General Chemistry (for students without high school chemistry) i. Sci – Integrated Science 5

Undergraduate Chemistry Courses • Second Year • • • • 2 AA 3 - Quantitative Chemical Analysis 2 E 03 - Introductory Organic Chemistry 2 II 3 - Introductory Inorganic Chemistry: Structure and Bonding 2 LA 3/2 LAB 3 - Tools for Chemical Discovery I/II 2 OA 3/2 OB 3 & CB 2 OA 3/CB 2 OB 3 - Organic Chemistry I/II 2 OC 3 - Structure and Reactivity of Organic Molecules 2 OD 3 - Synthesis and Function of Organic Molecules 2 PC 3 - Mathematical Tools for Chemical Problems 2 PD 3 - Equilibria and Kinetics 2 Q 03 - Inquiry in Chemistry 2 WW 2 - Inorganic Chemistry for Materials Engineers CB 2 A 03/CB 2 AA 3 - Introduction to Bio-analytical Chemistry CB 2 L 03 - Chemical Biology Laboratory I CB 2 P 03 - Bio-Physical Chemistry CB 2 Q 03 - Inquiry for Chemical Biology 6

Undergraduate Chemistry Courses • Third Year • • • 3 AA 3 Instrumental Analysis 3 II 3 – Introduction to Transition Metal Chemistry 3 IO 3 – Industrial Chemistry 3 LA 3 – Strategies for Chemical Discovery 3 LB 3 – Applications of Chemical Inquiry 3 OA 3 – Organic Synthesis 3 PA 3 – Quantum Mechanics and Spectroscopy 3 PB 3 – Physical Chemistry of Advanced Materials CB 3 OA 3 – Bio-organic Chemistry CB 3 PO 3 – Biomolecular Interactions CB 3 LO 3 – Chemical Biology Laboratory II 7

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 8 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 • • No shorts/sandals Hair tied back Safety goggles Lab coat 9

Timeline (1 AO 3/1 EO 3, 2 OA 3) • Prelab Meeting (15 min. ) • Extra information for TAs for the lab that week • Video introductions for each lab (1 st, 2 nd 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 11

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 15

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 Mc. Master • Helpful resource for supplementary materials, courses, workshops, seminars • Check out their website for useful information and events http: //cll. mcmaster. ca/ (Mills Library, L 504) 17

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: macchemta@yahoo. ca 18

Chem & Chem Bio TA Network Patricia Edem (2 OA 3) edempe@mcmaster. ca Karen Lam (1 AA 3/1 A 03) lamkp 3@mcmaster. ca Janice Cheung (1 AA 3/1 A 03) cheungyy@mcmaster. ca Lukas Sadowski (2 OB 3) sadowski@mcmaster. ca Laura Dodge (2 OA 3/2 OB 3) dodgelc@mcmaster. ca Meera Shanmuganathan (2 OB 3) shanmm 2@mcmaster. ca Fan Fei (1 AA 3) feif@mcmaster. ca Carlos Zepeda (2 OD 3) zepedaca@mcmaster. ca 19

Departmental Orientation Thursday September 8 th, 2011 10: 30 am – 4: 00 pm ABB A 404 Meet ‘n Greet Welcome BBQ 4: 30 pm The Phoenix (Wentworth Lounge)