Undergraduate Teaching Assistantship

An Undergraduate Instructional Apprentice (UIA) is an upper-division student who serves as a teaching assistant in an undergraduate course under the supervision of a faculty member. Students earn credit by enrolling in Econ 195. Experienced UIAs might qualify for a paid position.

Minimum requirements for being a UIA

  • Completion of at least 90 units of course work at UC San Diego (if you are a transfer student, your transfer units are included)
  • Completion of at least six upper-division Economics classes, including the relevant core courses
  • Minimum GPA of 3.5 in Economics major coursework (including lower division), and minimum overall GPA of 3.3
  • Completion of the course to which you are applying
  • Achievement of an "A" or better in the requested lower division course
  • Achievement of an "A" or better for the requested upper division course and course prerequisites as well as other courses in the sequence

Application for Fall Quarter 2013

  • Will be accepted for review beginning 5/8/13 (FA13 schedule available on TritonLink beginning 5/3/13)
  • Must be completed by 5/26/13. To apply:
    • Complete the online application (requires online login)
    • Note: while faculty preferences and academic records are taken into account, neither are dispositive when it comes to assignments. Other factors (such as availability and scheduling) are also taken into account
    • Students required to meet with Tutor Coordinator prior any course assignment

If you have any questions regarding the UIA application or process, please contact the Tutor Coordinator.

Benefits

  • Learn how to teach through actual practice
  • Develop professional relationship with faculty member
  • Earn four units of UD Economics elective credit (ECON 195) for work performed
  • UIAs who have earned eight units (served twice) of credit may apply to be paid an hourly wage
  • Solidify knowledge of Economics major

Duties of a UIA

  • Attend all lectures
  • Hold office hours (one to two hours per week)
  • Hold two one-hour problem sections per week
  • Assist with grading of homework, papers, or exams
    • Note: UIAs should plan to be available after finals end, faculty often request participation in final exam grading

Working Hours

  • Service period of employment - first week of the quarter through the end of final exam grading
  • Weekly hours - 3 hours of lecture attendance; 1-2 office hours; 2 problem section hours; and varying time requirements for grading. Under no circumstances are UIAs authorized to work over 20 hours per week
  • Without exception: UIAs must carry out job responsibilities through final exam grading

ECON 195 Enrollment (applies to UIAs working for academic credit):

  • Required enrollment in ECON 195, Introduction to Teaching Economics, for four units (unless hired for pay)
  • If appointed, you will be cleared to enroll upon completion of necessary paperwork
  • May earn up to eight units of credit for Econ 195 (students may not serve as a UIA for credit more than once for the same course)