Undergraduate TA - Physiology (BIOL 288) - Fall 2025 - Dr. Lonthair

The BIOL 288 Undergraduate Teaching Assistant (uTA) will serve in an instructional capacity for Physiology in the Spring 2025 semester by providing instructional assistance and peer mentoring.

Example of Responsibilities of the uTA:

  • Attendance of class (Monday and Wednesday, 2:30 PM to 3:45 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.

  1. 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 benefitting you in the future?
  2. Submit a copy of your unofficial transcript in your profile
    1. Details are here: https://propel.umass.edu/propel-information-students
  3. Complete this Google Form (Link: https://forms.gle/mss2qycRQkXvDrry8)
    1. Confirm your availability to attend all class sections
    2. Complete a poll with your availability for a weekly one-hour uTA meeting.
    3. Submit a 3-5 minute video of you teaching a "difficult" topic in BIOL 288.
Name of research group, project, or lab
BIOL 288 - Dr. Lonthair
Why participate in this opportunity?

Students will gain experience in providing directed mentoring and tutoring of students in the field of Biology, with an emphasis on Physiology

Students will learn to think on their feet, communicate professionally, and be patient with others. The faculty member will provide support to the student throughout in order 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.

Logistics Information:
Subject Category
Animal Physiology
Student ranks applicable
Sophomore
Junior
Senior
Student qualifications
  1. You must have taken BIOL 288 (Physiology) and received an overall grade of B+ or higher.
  2. Exhibit skill in organizing resources and establishing priorities
  3. Exhibit skill in planning, organization, and coordination of activities
  4. Exhibit skill in both verbal and written communication
  5. No physical qualification required
Time commitment
5-7 h/wk
Position Types and Compensation
Teaching - Ind. Study Credit
Number of openings
8
Project start
Spring 2025 (January 2025 - May 2025)
Contact Information:
Mentor
jlonthair@umass.edu
Faculty
Name of project director or principal investigator
Dr. Joshua Lonthair
Email address of project director or principal investigator
jlonthair@umass.edu
8 sp. | 13 appl.
Hours
5-7 h/wk
Project categories
Animal Physiology