Undergraduate Teaching Experience (BIOL 4910)
Students in the Biology Program are encouraged to include a teaching experience as part of their program of study. Whether in a laboratory or lecture setting, undergraduate teaching can provide a valuable review opportunity for students planning to take professional exams (e.g., the MCAT or GRE) and is an excellent practical experience for students planning to attend graduate school, professional school, or careers in education. Participating in such an opportunity counts as an advanced biology credit when a BIOL 4910 is arranged in conjunction with the experience.
In order to arrange a BIOL 4910, students must already have credit for the course they wish to assist with, or have appropriate prior experience. The course instructor must approve the BIOL 4910, and will then serve as the BIOL 4910 instructor and assign appropriate duties to the student. Students in the Biology Program typically assist with courses taught by faculty members in the Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology (EEOB) or the Department of Genetics, Development, and Cell Biology (GDCB). Students may wish to consult with their academic advisor or Biology Student Services staff for assistance in identifying a BIOL 4910 instructor.
Requirements
Undergraduate teaching experiences can be in a lecture or a laboratory setting. In addition to attending all scheduled class meetings, a BIOL 4910 student should expect to spend 2 hours per week (for each credit) performing other duties associated with the undergraduate teaching experience. Duties may include working directly with students, record keeping, laboratory or lecture preparation, assistance in managing in-class activities, and more. BIOL 4910 courses are taken for 1 to 2 credits. The BIOL 4910 course is repeatable, but only 2 credits may be applied as advanced biology coursework*, and no more than 9 may be applied towards graduation.
A BIOL 4910 student with access to student records is required by the University to sign a confidentiality agreement. It is the responsibility of the BIOL 4910 instructor to ensure that this confidentiality agreement is completed prior to student involvement in the course.
* A maximum of 7 credits total from BIOL 4800, BIOL 4810, BIOL 4900, BIOL 4910, BIOL 4940, and BIOL 4990 can be applied towards advanced biology course requirements
Activities
In addition to performing the duties described above, a BIOL 4910 student must write a short paper reflecting on what was learned or must keep a teaching experience journal. The written product is submitted to the BIOL 4910 instructor at the end of the semester.
Registration and Deadlines
Students must register for BIOL 4910 credit at or before the beginning of the semester of the teaching experience. The course can only be taken on a satisfactory-fail basis. As part of this contract, the format of the written product and deadlines for submission are set by the BIOL 4910 instructor, in consultation with the student. Completed contracts must be turned in to the experiential learning coordinator (135 Bessey Hall).