Department of Chemistry & Chemical Biology TA Orientation

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

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

3. B108 Wentworth House Phone ext. 24003 cupe3906@mcmaster.ca www.cupe3906.org Unit 1 members: TAs Dental Care Vision Care (working 130 hours or more) $1000/calendar year Policy #: 97528 (Class A) Division #: Division #1Certificate #: your student ID # $250/24 months Covers exams, prescription glasses, safety glasses and sunglasses Childcare UHIP Rebate Hardship Fund Max. $500/year Evaluated on a case by case basis $100/year Just need to bring a receipt(s) $100/year Just need to bring Pay stub

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

5. Undergraduate Chemistry Courses • First Year • 1AO3/1AA3 – Introductory Chemistry I/II • 1EO3 – General Chemistry of Engineers I • 1RO3 – General Chemistry (for students without high school chemistry) • iSci – Integrated Science

6. Undergraduate Chemistry Courses • Second Year • 2AA3 - Quantitative Chemical Analysis • 2E03 - Introductory Organic Chemistry • 2II3 - Introductory Inorganic Chemistry: Structure and Bonding • 2LA3/2LAB3 - Tools for Chemical Discovery I/II • 2OA3/2OB3 & CB2OA3/CB2OB3 - Organic Chemistry I/II • 2OC3 - Structure and Reactivity of Organic Molecules • 2OD3 - Synthesis and Function of Organic Molecules • 2PC3 - Mathematical Tools for Chemical Problems • 2PD3 - Equilibria and Kinetics • 2Q03 - Inquiry in Chemistry • 2WW2 - Inorganic Chemistry for Materials Engineers • CB2A03/CB2AA3 - Introduction to Bio-analytical Chemistry • CB2L03 - Chemical Biology Laboratory I • CB2P03 - Bio-Physical Chemistry • CB2Q03 - Inquiry for Chemical Biology

7. Undergraduate Chemistry Courses • Third Year • 3AA3 Instrumental Analysis • 3II3 – Introduction to Transition Metal Chemistry • 3IO3 – Industrial Chemistry • 3LA3 – Strategies for Chemical Discovery • 3LB3 – Applications of Chemical Inquiry • 3OA3 – Organic Synthesis • 3PA3 – Quantum Mechanics and Spectroscopy • 3PB3 – Physical Chemistry of Advanced Materials • CB3OA3 – Bio-organic Chemistry • CB3PO3 – Biomolecular Interactions • CB3LO3 – Chemical Biology Laboratory II

8. 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 Invigilator)

9. 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

10. Timeline (1AO3/1EO3, 2OA3) • Prelab Meeting (15 min.) • Extra information for TAs for the lab that week • Video introductions for each lab (1st, 2nd 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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!

15. 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

16. 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 atwww.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

17. Resources: Centre for Leadership in Learning • A resource centre for everyone (including faculty) who teaches at McMaster • Helpful resource for supplementary materials, courses, workshops, seminars • Check out their website for useful information and events http://cll.mcmaster.ca/ (Mills Library, L504)

18. 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

19. Chem & Chem Bio TA Network Patricia Edem (2OA3) edempe@mcmaster.ca Janice Cheung (1AA3/1A03) cheungyy@mcmaster.ca Laura Dodge (2OA3/2OB3) dodgelc@mcmaster.ca Fan Fei (1AA3) feif@mcmaster.ca Karen Lam (1AA3/1A03) lamkp3@mcmaster.ca Lukas Sadowski (2OB3) sadowski@mcmaster.ca Meera Shanmuganathan (2OB3) shanmm2@mcmaster.ca Carlos Zepeda (2OD3) zepedaca@mcmaster.ca

20. Departmental Orientation Thursday September 8th, 2011 10:30 am – 4:00 pm ABB A404 Meet ‘n Greet Welcome BBQ 4:30 pm The Phoenix (Wentworth Lounge)