From: web-form@Oswego.EDU
Sent: Wednesday, December 05, 2007 9:39 AM
To: ucc@oswego.edu
Subject: Web Form: Course_Submission

Department_Chair: Dr. Richard Back
Department_Chair_Email: back@oswego.edu
Additional_Contact: Dr. James MacKenzie (Curriculum Committee Chair)
Additional_Contact_Email: jmackenz@oswego.edu
Course_Number: Bio 396
Course_Type: New Course
Course_Title: Teaching Assistant in the Biological Sciences

Catalog_Description: An experience in the classroom or teaching laboratories under the guidance of one of the Biological Sciences faculty. Student experiences are varied and may include preparing materials for the lab, demonstrating procedures, techniques, etc. to students. Teaching Assistants attend all formal course activities and weekly preparation meetings and gain in-depth background on the subject material.

Prerequisites: Minimum 30 credits and permission of instructor 
Fl_irregular basis: Yes
Semester_Hours: 1-3

Justification: 
Science students must learn effective communication skills to be able to excel in the scientific community. This teaching assistant course will target all biology and zoology majors, especially Adolescent Ed Biology majors. The permission of instructor prerequisite is critical so as the faculty mentor can assess the student’s qualifications to T.A. a particular course on an individual basis. Since biology and zoology majors have not finished their first sequence of classes in the major until the completion of their first-year, students are required to have at least a sophomore status.

Course_Objectives: 
This course is designed to increase a student’s ability to effectively communicate information in a classroom setting. Teaching assistants will work with a faculty mentor and will interact directly with students. The nature of this interaction will vary between courses, but could include situations such as working one-on-one with students during a lab exercise, giving lecture or demonstrations, and holding office hours for tutoring.

Course_Description: 
As scientists, it is important than the ability to communicate knowledge. This course will enable students who are interested in improving their ability to interact and communicate with others through directed classroom/lab supervision. One S.H. will be earned for each 2-3 in-class hours per week that is supervised. The course may be repeated with the same, or a different, faculty member for up to a total of 3 S.H.
Due to the various faculty who sponsor teaching assistants and the variety of courses that this can apply to, it is difficult to have a rigid set of rules for all.  Under the direction of a departmental faculty member, the student may assist in activities such as preparing materials for the lab, demonstrating procedures, techniques, holding office hours, running review sessions, etc.

Resources: No new resources are required.

Bibliography: 
O’Neil, C. et al (2007) “The Impact of Teaching Assistants on Student Retention in the Sciences: Lessons for TA Training” Journal of College Science Teaching, 36(5): 24-29.
McMillan, V.E. (2006) “Writing papers in the Biological Sciences, Fourth Ed.” Bedford/St. Martin.
Druger, M., Siebert, E.D., and Crow, L.W. (Eds.) (2004) “Teaching Tips: Innovations in Undergraduate Science Instruction.” National Science Teachers Association Press.
Miller, J.E., Groccia, J.E., Miller, M.S. (Eds.) (2001) “Student-Assisted Teaching: A Guide to Faculty-Student Teamwork.” Anker Publishing Company.
Foyle, H.C. (Ed.) (1995) “Interactive Learning in the Higher Education Classroom: Cooperative, Collaborative, and Active Learning Strategies.” National Education Association.

Other_Comments: 
IP_Adress: 129.3.26.123