Student Handbook

Teaching

All graduate students in the Field of Genetics and Development are required to participate in teaching for one semester and are encouraged to apply for a second semester position in the Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics or in another Department. Most students supported as TAs serve as teaching assistants for the undergraduate Genetics course, BioGD 281. Doing so strengthens and broadens their genetics background and thus serves as a good base for graduate training. Other students serve as teaching assistants for one of the other courses offered by the Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics.

G&D students should take their teaching duties seriously. Teaching performance is evaluated by the undergraduates in the courses and reviewed by the teaching faculty of the department. This review becomes a part of the graduate record and is included in consideration for subsequent support (i.e. Training Grant Fellowships). Furthermore, demonstrated excellence in teaching (communication skills) will greatly strengthen your future applications for jobs, both inside and outside academia.