10-06-2009 at 06:46 PM
|
#1
|
Mr.Spock is not dazzled.
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,630
Thanked:
86 Times
Liked:
611 Times
|
Becoming a TA?
It's something I might be interested in later on if I do well enough. Anyone know how to go about it/the general qualifications? Can a II yr even be a TA? All of mine are Masters, PhD or IV yr students.
I'm in Life Science, probably moving towards a Biology major and am planning to take a number of English and History courses.
In case it matters, here's what I'm taking now:
Math 1LS3
History 1BB3
English 1A03
Biology 1A03
Biology 1M03
Psych 1X03
Psych 1XX3
Physics 1L03
Chem 1A03
Chem 1AA3
|
10-06-2009 at 06:57 PM
|
#2
|
Forum Creeper
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,250
Thanked:
77 Times
Liked:
454 Times
|
Quote:
Can a II yr even be a TA? All of mine are Masters, PhD or IV yr students.
|
Maybe it depends on the course, but I've had 2nd/3rd year TAs before.
I'm not sure about how you go about being a TA. (well you need a good grade for the course you wanna teach, but that's a given.)
__________________
Jeffrey Chan
Fifth-Year Commerce
Off-Campus
|
10-06-2009 at 07:05 PM
|
#3
|
Elite Member
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,841
Thanked:
229 Times
Liked:
349 Times
|
It's different for every course/faculty. Your best bet is to talk to your professor, or the professor of the course you wish to T.A. for.
__________________
Gregory Darkeff
Alumni 2011 - Honors Commerce and Economics Minor
|
10-06-2009 at 07:45 PM
|
#4
|
MacInsiders VP
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 7,615
Thanked:
913 Times
Liked:
507 Times
|
With the exception of Multimedia and Communications courses, all Humanities classes have Masters of PhD-level TAs.
__________________
McMaster Combined Honours Cultural Studies & Critical Theory and Anthropology: 2008
McMaster Honours English with a minor in Indigenous Studies: 2010
Carleton University Masters of Arts in Canadian Studies: 2012 (expected)
We are people of this generation, bred in at least modest comfort, housed in universities, looking uncomfortably into the world we inherit. -- Port Huron Statement
|
10-06-2009 at 08:04 PM
|
#5
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 180
Thanked:
23 Times
Liked:
11 Times
|
I am a second year TA for a engineering course. But not all faculties have second year TA position. You need to have a very high GPA for the course you want to be TA, (probably a 10). Check with your course coordinator. Its a great experience and you'll learn a lot by teaching others.
|
10-06-2009 at 08:20 PM
|
#6
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 241
Thanked:
11 Times
Liked:
33 Times
|
how much do TA's get paid
__________________
Former McMaster Student
Would be Electrical Engineering II
|
10-06-2009 at 08:32 PM
|
#7
|
Elite Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,112
Thanked:
159 Times
Liked:
529 Times
|
It depends on the faculty and specific course.
Every Humanities and Social Science class I've had, the TA has been a Masters or PhD student. Sometimes, these positions are specifically held for grad students (like in Political Science - no one can become a TA unless they are a Masters or PhD student)
My boyfriend had a second year TA in his first year math course. That's the only one I know of that allows second year TAs.
|
10-06-2009 at 08:33 PM
|
#8
|
Elite Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,112
Thanked:
159 Times
Liked:
529 Times
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by lmasud
how much do TA's get paid
|
Undergrad TAs make about $20 an hour
Graduate TAs make about $40 an hour
|
10-06-2009 at 08:36 PM
|
#9
|
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 123
Thanked:
7 Times
Liked:
10 Times
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kathy2
Undergrad TAs make about $20 an hour
Graduate TAs make about $40 an hour
|
$40 an hour!!!!!!!! WOW that seems like too much for just being a TA...
__________________
Honours Life Science
4th Year!!!
|
10-06-2009 at 08:36 PM
|
#10
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 115
Thanked:
10 Times
Liked:
29 Times
|
To practice for a future TA career, I'd suggest the following:
- practice speaking very low (if you currently speak at a normal volume)
- develop an accent (if you don't already have one)
- mumble quite a bit when you speak (again, if you don't already)
- learn some very unfunny jokes
|
10-06-2009 at 08:50 PM
|
#11
|
Elite Member
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,069
Thanked:
318 Times
Liked:
361 Times
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by caroline54
$40 an hour!!!!!!!! WOW that seems like too much for just being a TA...
|
Well, TAing is how most Masters and PhD students pay their bills (aside from scholarships)
Often they spend a lot more time in the lab/tutorials and marking than they're allocated. I think it's warranted. They're still paid less than other schools, apparently.
|
10-06-2009 at 09:22 PM
|
#12
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 241
Thanked:
11 Times
Liked:
33 Times
|
what about ugrad ta's
__________________
Former McMaster Student
Would be Electrical Engineering II
|
10-06-2009 at 09:47 PM
|
#13
|
Elite Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,112
Thanked:
159 Times
Liked:
529 Times
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by caroline54
$40 an hour!!!!!!!! WOW that seems like too much for just being a TA...
|
I completely agree.
I would happily be a TA for minimum wage.
|
10-06-2009 at 09:57 PM
|
#14
|
Elite Member
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,069
Thanked:
318 Times
Liked:
361 Times
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kathy2
I completely agree.
I would happily be a TA for minimum wage.
|
Like I said earlier, just because a TA is supposed to spend 5 hours a week for lab assistance and marking, they may spend up to 10 hours a week. Many TAs spend extra time preparing for tutorials, labs, and providing necessary feedback on essays or any assignments. So while it's theoretically $40/hour, given the number of hours that a TA will spend marking or prepping, it's less than that figure.
|
10-06-2009 at 10:15 PM
|
#15
|
Elite Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,112
Thanked:
159 Times
Liked:
529 Times
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jay
Like I said earlier, just because a TA is supposed to spend 5 hours a week for lab assistance and marking, they may spend up to 10 hours a week. Many TAs spend extra time preparing for tutorials, labs, and providing necessary feedback on essays or any assignments. So while it's theoretically $40/hour, given the number of hours that a TA will spend marking or prepping, it's less than that figure.
|
I know how it works. My bf and my old roommate are TAs. The hours they put in definately don't equal out to anything less than $30 an hour.
I would still do it for minimum wage. I've had A LOT worse jobs where I got paid A LOT less. I would love to be a TA. Unfortunately, I'm in Pol Sci and can't be one until I start my Masters.
|
Thread Tools |
Search this Thread |
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
McMaster University News and Information, Student-run Community, with topics ranging from Student Life, Advice, News, Events, and General Help.
Notice: The views and opinions expressed in this page are strictly those of the student(s) who authored the content. The contents of this page have not been reviewed or approved by McMaster University or the MSU (McMaster Students Union). Being a student-run community, all articles and discussion posts on MacInsiders are unofficial and it is therefore always recommended that you visit the official McMaster website for the most accurate up-to-date information.
| |