TA Assignments

ECE considers our grad students to be academics in training. With this in mind, we strive to expose them to research and teaching opportunities. Teaching assignments can also play important part in the funding of their studies.

Job Descriptions

There are three categories of teaching positions available for our grad students: Markers, Teaching Assistants (TA), and Lab Instructors (LI). Each role is important for the delivery of a quality education to our undergraduate students, and allows graduate students to better understand what working in academia and interacting with students is like. Below are brief descriptions of the positions available.

1. Markers typically work directly with course instructors in marking assignments and preparing solution sets used by undergrads.

Duties include (but are not limited to):

  • marking weekly assignments
  • creating & posting assignment solutions for students
  • helping course instructors during midterms and finals if required

2. Teaching Assistants (TA) are assigned to ECE undergrad labs and are expected to help enhance student learning experiences by helping solve problems, and assisting with instruments and equipment in the lab. TAs are expected to have a thorough understanding of the concepts taught in the lab.

Duties include (but are not limited to):

  • Understanding the course, lab material, and lab equipment.
  • Attending all lab sessions and actively assisting with teaching.
  • Assisting students as needed.
  • Marking lab reports.

3. Lab Instructors (LI) are the primary instructors for the ECE undergrad labs, and are responsible for the successful delivery of the labs (instruction, safety, communication, and organization). LIs are expected to have a thorough understanding of the concepts taught in the lab.

Duties include (but are not limited to):

  • Coordinating and scheduling the lab teaching team (TAs and other LIs).
  • Training TAs.
  • Preparing and delivering instructions to the students at the beginning of each lab.
  • Answering questions and assisting students throughout the lab sessions.
  • Ensuring that students are given clear instructions as to what is expected before, during, and after the labs (including required manuals, kits, and report deadlines).
  • Be available after hours for students requiring help with the labs (official office hours, or informal help sessions).
  • Collecting and distributing lab reports for marking.
  • Marking lab reports.
  • Providing final lab marks to the course instructor at the end of the term and making marks available for students.
  • Working with ECE staff for technical and administrative requirements (including lab access, assignments boxes, and computer configuration).

Eligibility

All ECE PhD and MSc students are encouraged to apply for teaching positions during their time in the department. MEng students are not eligible for teaching positions.

Please note that we are not able to place everyone who applies for a teaching position. Priority is given based on program of study, qualifications/experience, commitments made by the Department, and financial need.

Salary

ECE follows the salary guidelines provided by the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research and the Collective Agreement (AEGS). These positions are usually paid with eight equal payments over the four-month academic term.

Markers, TAs and LIs are assigned a number of weekly hours for the entire (17 week) term. It is expected that the weekly hours will vary over the term, with some weeks requiring more than assigned and others requiring less. Please note that the salary is paid as part "Award" and part "Salary"; you need to add the two columns together to figure out your pay.

Small Grad Courses and summer improvement projects are usually paid under the "STARE" category; they are paid hourly and are required to submit timesheets. These positions are usually assigned a total number of hours.

Tuition Deductions

For students in TA, LI, and/or RA positions: The University's payroll system automatically deducts outstanding tuition and fees from the paycheques of graduate teaching and research assistants a month after the start of fall and winter terms. That is, any fall tuition owed as of October 1 will be deducted from the student's October, November, and December paycheques in three equal installments. Similarly, any winter tuition owed as of February 1 will be automatically deducted from the student's February, March, and April paycheques. In the event that the deductions do not cover the full tuition, the student is responsible to pay the remainder by the deadline given.

This program does not apply to the spring and summer terms (May through August).

This program also does not apply to Marker pay.

How to Apply

When we are accepting applications, notifications will be sent to all ECE graduate students through the graduate mailing list (ECE-grad). Please follow the instructions provided in the email. Applications are usually accepted in May and September.

If you have any questions about grad student teaching assignments please contact Wendy Barton by email or in person at Donadeo ICE 11-247.