Department of Chemistry TA Orientation

1. Department of ChemistryTA Orientation By: The Chemistry TA Network Heather Cuthbert, Amanda Donovan, Christa Homenick, Anika Louie

2. TA Network Heather Cuthbert ABB 443 cuthbehl@mcmaster.ca x27396 Amanda Donovan ABB 466 donovaac@mcmaster.ca x27128 Christa Homenick ABB A402A homenicm@mcmaster.ca x27678 Anika Louie ABB 466 louieas@mcmaster.ca x27128

3. Chemistry Personnel Undergraduate Technicians Course Coordinators Brad Sheeller 2nd Year Coordinator Jeff Landry 1st Year Coordinator Janet Welsh Heather Pettit Karen Newmann and Leah Allen Upper Year Coordinators Angela Vanderlaan Nicki Robinson Patricia Martin Faculty: www.chemistry.mcmaster.ca/faculty

4. 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)

5. Undergraduate Chemistry Courses • Second Year • 2AO3 – Analytical Chemistry I (Engineers) • 2EO3 – Introductory Organic (Engineers) • 2BA3/2BB3 – Organic Chemistry A/B • 2OA3/2OB3 – Organic Chemistry I/II (Biology/Health Science) • 2IO3 – Structure and Reactions of the Main Group Elements • 2NO3 – Analytical Chemistry (Biology) • 2PA3 – Thermodynamics & Phase Equilibria • 2PB3 – Chemical Thermodynamics and Kinetics • 2RO3 – General Physical Chemistry (Biology) • 2WW2 – Inorganic Chemistry for Materials Engineers

6. Undergraduate Chemistry Courses • Third Year • 3AO3 – Analytical Chemistry II • 3BA3 – Quantum Mechanics & Spectroscopy I • 3DO3 – Organic Chemistry • 3FO3 – Bio-Organic Chemistry (Biology) • 3LI3 – Chemistry Laboratory Inquiry • 3PO3 – Transition Metal Chemistry

7. 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)

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. Lab Demonstrator – Tips & Advice • 15 min Meeting • Take notes • Ask questions • Experiment time • Circulate & observe • Ask Questions, don’t just give answers • Time management – Keep students moving! • Safety

12. 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/assignment problems, lecture material

13. Marker – The Basics • Consistency • Follow the marking scheme • Report errors in marking scheme • Communication – to other TAs and professor • Efficiency • Mark all the same question at the same time • Be aware of cheating!

14. 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

15. Resources Chemistry TA Coordinator Senior Teaching Assistants 2OA3/2OB3: Lawrence Huck Farah Lollmahomed Tomoko Aharen Teri Gallon Dave Thompson (Tutuorials) 1AO3/1AA3: Volodia Svitlyk Greg Smith Carlos Cruz Dave Brock (Tutuorials) 2N03/2A03: Linda Davis Bonnie Leung Richard Lee Dr. Peter Kruse ABB 263 pkruse@mcmaster.ca x23480 Graduate Student Contact List: http://www.chemistry.mcmaster.ca/grad_students/index.html B108 Wentworth House Phone ext. 24003 cupe3906@mcmaster.ca www.cupe3906.org Your Union Steward: Greg Smith smithgl@mcmaster.ca

16. TA Network – Mac Chem TA • Our Mission • Helping you be a happy, effective TA in the Chemistry 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