The Bioengineering Department believes that teaching is an important part of a graduate-level education in bioengineering. Consequently, two quarters of teaching are a requirement for the PhD in Bioengineering, one each during the second and third year.
Graduate students may also apply for teaching assistant positions in the Bioengineering Department, but preference will go to BioE PhD students fulfilling this teaching requirement. Teaching duties vary from course to course but can include leading discussions, laboratory sections, meeting with students informally through office hours, and grading homework and exams. Applications will be considered and assignments will be made on a rolling basis starting August 28. However, applications will be accepted until September 15 for TA positions for the entire academic year.
Who is eligible to apply?
Teaching assistantships must have graduate standing or be a coterminal student with at least 180 units completed.
How many hours does a TA work?
Teaching assistantships are appointed on a percent time basis. Most of our TAs are 50 percent appointments and work 20 hours per week. We also offer 25 percent (10 hours per week) appointments.
NOTE: International students on F and J visas may not work more than 50 percent time.
Departmental TA requirements
1. If you are offered a position, teaching assistants are required to attend the department orientation session held by our TA coordinators, Isis Trenchard and Midori Greenwood-Goodwin, before the start of fall quarter. If this is your first time as a TA, you must also attend the TA orientation run by Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL). See the schedule at their website: http://www.stanford.edu/dept/CTL/TA/orientation.html
2. Clear your teaching with your research advisor before you accept a teaching assistantship—make sure the time required for the teaching is consistent with your advisor's research expectations for you.
3. International students: Those applying for a teaching assistantship for the first time must be screened for readiness to use English in a teaching role (English accuracy, fluency and communication are evaluated). See http://www.stanford.edu/group/efs/tascreen.html for information on scheduling this exam. You must complete this before we can offer you a teaching assistantship.
List of TA opportunities
Course descriptions
For detailed descriptions, see the Registrar's Explore Courses website
Before applying, you must agree to the following terms:
- I agree to be available for the entire quarter, from the first day of instruction through the entire final exam period. There will be no unexcused absences allowed.
- I agree to be here during Finals Week to grade exams.
- I have cleared my teaching with my research advisor.
- I understand that TA assignments are tentative and are subject to change or cancellation dependent upon course enrollment and that first priority for assignments is given to BioE PhD students.
- I will supply all requested information, truthfully and accurately, to the best of my knowledge.
- I agree to be in email contact with the instructor at least one week before classes start.
- AGREE and wish to apply for a TA position. Online Application Form >>
- I DO NOT agree. Please send me back to the BioE Department home page, click here.
Any questions about TA policies or assignments should be sent to Professor Christina Smolke (csmolke at stanford.edu)
