Now recruiting applicants for Spring 2023
Many courses and many instructors utilize UTAs (Undergraduate Teaching Assistants), UTUs (Undergraduate Teaching Undergraduates), and/or Peer Leaders. While these (and other) titles have nuanced differences, we will refer to all of them as UTAs. Lower division courses well-known to use UTAs include Chem 0100, Chem 0110, Chem 0120, Chem 0120, Chem 0250, Chem 0310, Chem 0320, Chem 0345, and Chem 0745. Many upper division courses utilize UTAs as well. If the course you are interested in being a UTA for is not listed, it is always worth the while to ask the instructor of that course. The Department of Chemistry's Undergraduate Teaching Assistant Program is guided by the published DSAS policy on the "Guidelines for Arts and Sciences Undergraduate Teaching Experience".
Below, on this page, are FOUR different UTA opportunities that you can apply for -- each requires its own application. You are welcome to apply to as many opportunities as you like.
1. Undergraduates Teaching Undergraduates (UTU) Program for General Chemistry
2. Undergraduate Teaching Opportunities for General Chemistry with Dr. Vines (two different opportunities)
2A. Undergraduate Teaching Undergrad (UTU) for Dr. Vines
2B. Undergraduate Teaching Assistant (UTA) positions for Dr. Vines
3. Undergraduates Teaching Assistants (UTA) Program for Organic Chemistry Lecture
1. Undergraduates Teaching Undergraduates (UTU) Program for General Chemistry
The UTU program for General Chemistry was started by Dr. Michael Golde over 20 years ago, with the support of the National Science Foundation, US Department of Education, and the Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences. As we plan for the upcoming term, we would like to recruit qualified undergraduates to join returning UTUs in the two areas as outlined in the table. The Laboratory Co-Teachers are overseen by Dr. Tamika Madison. Several instructors will oversee the Active Learning Facilitators.
| Active learning Facilitator | Laboratory Co-Teacher | |
| Description | Work with a lecturer to guide students through Process Oriented Guided Inquiry Learning (POGIL) activities | Work with a laboratory instructor to help students complete laboratory experiments |
| Time spent Teaching | 1 - 2 hours per week (~50% of the classes held) |
3 hours per week |
| Preparation Time | Mandatory 1hr meeting held on Thursday Afternoons | |
| Compensation | Earn up to 2 credits of CHEM 1720 (Undergraduate Teaching) per term | |
To qualify as a UTU you must:
- Be a rising sophomore, junior or senior.
- Have completed CHEM 0110 and 0120 (or the equivalent) by the end of the current term with good grades.
- Be enthusiastic about teaching and mentoring other students.
Applications received by 29 April 2022 are given preferences; late applications may not be considered.
Apply using this link: https://pitt.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bwKPnCrOjejfU2i?Q_CHL=qr
2. Undergraduate Teaching Opportunities for General Chemistry with Dr. Vines
Dr. Vines has two different Undergraduate Teaching Opportunities for fall 2022l
2A. Undergraduate Teaching Undergrad (UTU) for Dr. Vines...
Dr. Vines' UTU opportunity is for students who have successfully completed Chem 0110 and 0120.
Includes:
- Helping with ICA (In Class Assignments, W 9-10 am)
- Co-leading a Help Session
- Attending a weekly meeting (Thursday/Friday)
- Working through problems and reviewing general chemistry topics
- Providing potential problems for exams and UTU sessions
- Helping students review for exams
Criteria for UTU selection:
- Completed Chem 110 and Chem 120
- TA/UTA Recommendation
- Grades in Chemistry/STEM classes
- Interest in Chemistry
- Desire to help others
- Ability to work with others
Requirements:
- Application to be a UTU
- Unofficial transcript
- Recommendation from TA/UTA
- Personal Statement
- Paragraph about the most interesting topic or subject you learned about in General Chemistry
Applications received by 22 April 2022 are given preferences; late applications may not be considered.
Apply using this link: docs.google.com/document/d/1aXfqXVcDU0a2T4AvOZyRjEyNw9Cf-SASL-HvoChI2VY/edit?usp=sharing (complete and email to Dr. Vines).
2B. Undergraduate Teaching Assistant (UTA) positions for Dr. Vines...
Dr. Vines' UTA opportunity is for students who have successfully completed Chem 0110, Chem 0120, and one semester of Organic Chemistry (Chem 0310 or Chem 0350).
Includes:
- Co-leading a Recitation
- Attending a weekly meeting (Thursday/Friday)
- Grading Recitation Exercises/ POGIL Activities
- Working through problems and reviewing general chemistry Topics
- Helping students review for exams
Criteria for UTU selection:
- Completed Chem 110, Chem 120, and at least one semester of Organic Chemistry.
- Recommendation
- Grades in Chemistry/STEM classes
- Interest in Chemistry
- Desire and ability to help and work with others
Application:
- Application to be a UTA
- Unofficial transcript
- Recommendation from TA/UTA/Lecturer
- Personal Statement “Why you want to UTA in Chemistry” may include interests, background
Applications received by 22 April 2022 are given preferences; late applications may not be considered.
Apply using this link: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1JvfQTh_Su8Vp75ZeoZz1-WSEdwF9C9zUZnwpYHQIGZM/edit (complete and email to Dr. Vines).
3. Undergraduates Teaching Assistants (UTA) Program for Organic Chemistry Lecture
To qualify as a UTA you will:
- Be in good academic standing.
- Have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher
- Have completed CHEM 0310 and 0320 (or the equivalent) by the start of your UTA appointment, with a letter grade of B or higher.
- Earn course credit (Chem 1720, permission number required) for your contributions.
- Expect to spend 3-to-5 hours per week for each credit hour (Chem 1720) signed up for.
- Be enthusiastic about teaching and mentoring other students.
Apply using this link: https://pitt.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_by1MGAI236cmZ0y