Undergrad TA | BIOL 285 | Spring 2026 | Dr. Spracklen
The BIOL 285 Undergraduate Teaching Assistant (uTA) will serve in an instructional capacity for Cellular and Molecular Biology in the Spring 2026 semester by providing instructional assistance and peer mentoring.
Example of Responsibilities of the uTA:
- Attendance of class (Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 12:20 PM to 1:10 PM)
- Attend a 1-hour weekly uTA planning meeting.
- Provide general assistance to the faculty member in instructional activities
- Tutor students
- Proctor examinations
- Grade tests and homeworks
Please complete the four (4) things below to apply. Failure to do so will disqualify the application.
- Please respond to the Essay Prompt (300 words maximum):
- What do you see as the role of an undergraduate TA? What most interests you in the role? How do you see learning the skills involved with the role benefiting you in the future?
- Complete this Google Form (Link: https://forms.gle/wVkuKX3eabRo6Ug38)
- Confirm your availability to attend all class sections
- Complete a poll with your availability for a weekly one-hour uTA meeting.
- Submit a 3-5 minute video of you teaching a topic in BIOL 285.
- Spring 2026 Prompt: Attenuation of the Trp operon
Students will gain experience in providing directed mentoring and tutoring of students in the field of Biology, with an emphasis on Cellular & Molecular Biology.
Students will learn to think on their feet, communicate professionally, and be patient with others. The faculty member will provide support to the student to enhance these skills.
Furthermore, students will gain a deeper knowledge of the material due to the nature of teaching the material to their peers.
Additionally, the faculty mentor provides mentoring both concerning the practice of teaching but also supports student's long-term career objectives.