<p>Hey all, what do teacher assistants do in Harvard? Specifics would be appreciated over an answer of "they assistant the professor." Thanks.</p>
<p>It depends on the class.</p>
<p>In many classes, there are lectures 2 or 3 times a week taught by the professor (in which there could be hundreds of students), and then smaller classes, usually about once a week, called "sections." These sections are taught by TAs, in which TAs go over the lecture material and answer questions, and have only 10-20 students in each.</p>
<p>The reasoning behind this process is clear: professors can't teach all the sections (no one could) and lectures (which, after all, could have as many as 500 students or more in some classes) aren't a good environment for asking questions, going over problem sets, etc. Harvard gets a lot of flak for "not paying attention to undergraduates," and for "having no access to professors," but this is bogus- professors have office hours if you want to meet with them, they teach the material themselves in the lectures, and the system of TAs is the best way to teach a large class. What's more, the teaching assistants at Harvard are almost always highly qualified and knowledgable-most are working on their Ph.D at one of Harvard's grad schools, or are students at Harvard Medical School. Some are more qualified than the professors at many other universities.</p>
<p>Note that there are many exceptions to the model I described. There are freshman seminars, which are classes of 12 students, offered only to freshmen, that are taught directly by professors. There's Expository Writing- a required course for all freshmen that is taught in classes of 10-15 students by preceptors, who aren't tenured professors but rather Ph.Ds employed temporarily by the college. And of course there are other courses that don't fit this model that are given to upperclassmen, many of which (as a clueless freshman) I'm not familar with.</p>
<p>Admiral is right on the ball. I don't see why Harvard is attacked all the time about how the institution does not "focus on undergraduates." With over 100 freshman seminars, weekly party grants which are relatively easy to get, a Student Organization Center at Hilles, a 24/5 library (Lamont Library), two student cafes (one at Hilles and the other at Lamont, which are open late hours), $4/hour peer tutoring and a Writing Center (for free) if you're struggling in a class, a well-stocked Office of Career Services with free consultation by savvy counselors who know what they're doing, financial aid for study abroad, tons of research grants, thesis research grants, "have fun" grants (usually fellowships that applies for seniors after they graduate), beneficiary aid (for expenses that are unexpected like a booster shot, your glasses broke, you had to get your wisdom teeth pulled, etc.), the list goes on and on. There are SO many resources here that you can really do WHATEVER you want in terms of your interests.</p>
<p>In my 1.5 years here so far, I have been able to do so much that I would not have been able to do. For that, I am grateful.</p>
<p>Harvard offers so much more than the average state flagship university. For instance, Harvard guarantees on-campus housing for all four years. Several of my friends at flagship state schools registered past the deadline and are now living in the lobby of a dorm. Seriously.</p>
<p>TAs generally also help grade problem sets and/or exams, and help proctor exams, too.</p>
<p>I'm totally looking forward to my TA semester. A lot of people in my program (which is over at the medical school) TA medical school classes, but I think I'd rather come up to Cambridge and TA an undergrad class.</p>
<p>(Or am I supposed to say "TF"? :))</p>
<p>It'd be great to TF an undergraduate class, molliebatmit! Just wondering, what class are you specifically looking at? (Are you a HMS student?)</p>
<p>Is it true that most of the classes at Harvard have less than a 100 students? Who teaches language courses then? TAs?</p>
<p>I will add that most of the names of teaching fellows in mathematics I have seen on the Harvard Web site belong to BRILLIANT young mathematicians who just haven't had the chance to land a full-time, career faculty position yet, but who certainly have the right stuff to do so.</p>
<p>Yes, the TFs teach foreign language classes.</p>
<p>Yes, of course most of the courses taught at Harvard have fewer than 100 students- however, chances are that the majority of classes a student would take would have over 100 students (think about it- it does make sense, since the over 100 classes are the ones that are widely taken).</p>
<p>It greatly depends on what concentration you choose, and what classes you take. If you want to take mostly small classes, you can certainly manage that, though almost anyone going through the college would have to take at least a few large courses (Ec 10, Life Sciences 1a, or other standard courses).</p>
<p>
It'd be great to TF an undergraduate class, molliebatmit! Just wondering, what class are you specifically looking at? (Are you a HMS student?)
I was just sort of looking around -- I'm a BBS PhD student (GSAS/HMS), and we're not allowed to TF an undergrad class unless we've already fulfilled our teaching requirement, so it wouldn't be something I'd be doing this year.</p>
<p>I think it would be super-fun to teach intro biology -- I basically got my whole living group through intro biology as an undergrad, so I know a few of the more common hang-ups. Any suggestions? Are there any professors who would probably be a lot of fun to work with, or courses that biology concentrators generally like a lot? (I mean, you don't want to TF a class that everybody hates... :))</p>
<p>molliebatmit: There are four great classes you would be able to TF. The first is Life Sciences 1a, which is a one of a kind introductory class in molecular biology, cell biology, and chemistry framed within the context of HIV and cancer. It covers many basic organic chemistry concepts (carbonyl chemistry and chirality), cell cycle control, PCR, "the central dogma," protein folding, etc. The teaching team is composed of world-class professors: David R. Liu, Andrew Murray, Erin O'Shea, Daniel Kahne, and Robert Lue. </p>
<p>It might interest you a lot more than Life Sciences 1b, which focuses more on genetics, genomics and evolution. The class is mostly the teaching of statistics as it is relevant to biology. You can find out more about the classes here: <a href="http://www.lifescience.fas.harvard.edu%5B/url%5D">http://www.lifescience.fas.harvard.edu</a>. LS1b was graded lower on our CUE Guide scale (CUE Guide is a rating system for courses) than LS1a, but according to Nancy, the preceptor, they are improving the class for this year. For TF positions, you should contact the preceptors of the course, which as of now is Ernie Chang and Beth Heller in Life Sciences 1a and Nancy Huang and Akiko Okusu in Life Sciences 1b.</p>
<p>The Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology has two introductory classes, MCB52 and MCB54. MCB52 focuses on Molecular Biology and MCB54 focuses on cell biology. MCB52 is taught by Richard Losick, who is beloved by everyone here, while MCB54 is taught by Robert Lue, Raymond Erikson and Alexander Schier. Students must have had Life Sciences 1a and Life Sciences 1b is recommended. Many are in the Organic Chemistry sequence as well. MCB52 goes into more depth on very similar topics seen in LS1a, but includes DNA topology, etc.</p>
<p>Personally, I haven't taken Life Sciences 1b nor am I a science concentrator (I am a pre-med student though). I guess one main complaint TFs do have generally (if your colleagues and friends have not told you already) is that Harvard students sometimes tend to be really intense in terms of grades and stuff, and I definitely understand that, but kids will love you if you're a great, friendly and accessible TF. My LS1a TF used to be part of the GSAS/HMS program before she had to take a leave of absence and ultimately withdraw due to issues surrounding her family. She was REALLY good and her enthusiasm really showed.</p>
<p>So... long story short, there are four classes that may be of interest to you: Life Sciences 1a, Life Sciences 1b, MCB (Molecular and Cellular Biology) 52 or MCB54. Good luck!</p>