The Application Page for Summer/Fall is up. General Questions: How does one become a UTA in the digital lab? Do I have to have an 'A' in 2031 to become a UTA? When will I be scheduled to work? How do I become a Lead UTA? Can I be paid instead of the 1-hour credit? How much work is expected for a UTA? I am not enrolled full-time, so I can't take the 1-hour credit without paying for the hour. Is there another way? I can't fit it in my schedule -- can I come back a couple of semesters from now and be a UTA? How does this extra credit hour count towards my degree? Are there any other incentives for being an undergraduate TA? (For Spring semester only): How do I sign up for both summer and Fall since I will be doing both schedules this semester? How does one become a UTA in the digital lab? To become a UTA, you need to go to the Application Page and register. The information will be sent directly to Dr. Collins to process the request. Depending on the number of applicants and their qualifications, you may be given a permit to register for a section of ECE4901 (Special Topics), where you will get a one-hour credit once you attend orientation, find a suitable period to work, and satisfactorily complete your duties as a TA. Do I have to have an 'A' in 2031 to become a UTA? No. Historically, we've found that it is far more important that you want to be a UTA and help other students. Although we prefer students who've made an 'A' or a 'B' for obvious reasons, some of the students falling into the 'C' category are technically very good -- their biggest problem may have been the writing requirement.  When will I be scheduled to work? An email is sent out during the first week of the semester and a meeting is held as soon as possible. Normally, all positions are filled during this meeting, because it is very difficult to coordinate schedules of those not present. Timeslots being limited, there is always compromise. Students who cannot fit into one of the lab sections generally hold open hours, or sometimes students fulfill just part of their requirements during open hours. How does one become a Lead UTA? Each semester, students in the lab are asked to rate both the Lead UTAs and the regular UTAs. The interested TAs having the highest ratings are the first to offered Lead UTA positions behind existing Lead UTAs. (Not all Lead UTAs are guaranteed consecutive semesters of employment, although most are given priority. We like to provide an opportunity for new Lead TAs to rotate into positions.) Typically, one cannot become a Lead UTA until completing at least two semesters as a regular UTA. Can I be paid instead of the 1-hour credit? No, not at first. The Lead UTA positions are paid positions, although some students elect to do the Lead position for credit. I am not enrolled full-time, so I can't take the 1-hour credit without paying for the hour. Is there another way? Unfortunately, no. The school will not allow you to defer the credit until later, which previously was the only way that this could be handled. So in a semester where you are not enrolled full-time, you can either pay for the credit, OR get paid as a Lead UTA (which requires experience). How much work is expected for a UTA? Each section is assigned one Lead UTA and at least two regular UTAs. The Lead UTA is in charge of the section. Each TA is expected to be present for the 3-hour period helping with the labs. In addition, a 1-hour meeting is held once a week (required only for Lead TAs). During the summer, a student's workload is compressed, adding about 50% more work each week. Similarly, a TA in the summer works about 4.5 hours each week, instead of 3. I can't fit it in my schedule -- can I come back a couple of semesters from now and be a UTA? Absolutely. The only danger is that the further one gets away from the lab, the more difficult it is to be up to speed on the material -- especially if it changes. How does this extra credit hour count towards my degree? There are "ECE design credits," "ECE elective credits" and  "approved elective credits." This credit falls under the "approved elective credits." In other words, it affects your GPA the same way a PSYCH course affects your GPA. It does not count towards your ECE design or ECE electives. The ECE specific electives are are 4000-level Special Problems involved with capstone, R&D, or the UROP program. Are there any other incentives for being an undergraduate TA? Yes. You will find that many employers will be very interested in the fact that you were an undergraduate teaching assistant in the laboratory course on Rapid Prototyping. Putting this information on your resume when you graduate will be an important addition.  (For spring semester only): How do I sign up for both summer and fall since I will be doing both schedules this semester? You will need to apply twice, be accepted for both, and register twice -- once for summer and once for fall. Usually, decisions for fall are made during the late summer, so you will probably have to wait to find out if you are accepted. Back to Top