BSC 5945: Teaching Biology

Fall Semester 2010; Class. no. 80434; email Evonne ( queenofkorn13@aol.com ) or Ana ( diaza@fiu.edu ) for permission to register. August 16-20

Materials needed for course:

· TA Manual

· Survival Guide

Checklist

• You will need "permission" to register for BSC 5945; Class. no. 80434. You will register for 1 or 2 credits depending on whether you are an M.S. or PH.D. To get permission to register, you must email Evonne ( queenofkorn13@aol.com ) or Ana ( diaza@fiu.edu ) they will give you the ability to register for the course on your own. For some of you, there may be a reason why you can't take the credits at this time (you have reached your 9 or 10 credits you need for the semester already). If that is the case, you can simply take the course now and register for it any other semester. However, this is the only time in the year you can actually take the course so you must attend now.
• If you are a TA, you will choose your teaching sections (day/time) after you get here and meet with your Head TA or course instructor so don’t worry about that now. You will be given all materials you need for teaching when you meet with them.
• Confirm your registration for CPR and FIRST AID with Erin (biograd@fiu.edu) .
• Have the necessary handouts: TA Manual, Survival Guide, syllabus, etc.  Most have links above.

I. Instructor

Thomas Pitzer, Instructor, Teaching Assistant Coordinator

Office: OE 273; Telephone: (305) 348-1224; Email: pitzert@fiu.edu

Reference Number: 80434 ; See above checklist for to get permission to register.

II. Course Description

Pedagogical, practical, and procedural aspects of instruction in the Department of Biological Sciences at Florida International University. Required for all new grads.

III. Course Objectives

To develop an appreciation and understanding of skills to successfully facilitating learning in the classroom or laboratory. To acquire the knowledge and skills that will help students in their graduate work.

IV. Grade Determination

Grades will be determined based on presence and participation in all aspects of the course.

V. Required Texts

Graduate Handbook; Survival Guide; TA Manual

VII. Course Outline

Before attending these session, the University requires that you attend an orientation for all new graduate students at FIU. There are three dates given for the orientation, you can go on the 11th or the 14th of August, but you CANNOT go on the 18th because that day is reserved for our CPR/First Aid certification. Take the link below and sign-up for one of the first two dates: http://gradschool.fiu.edu/Fall2010_orientation.html

Note: there will be a quiz at the beginning of each session to ensure that you have done the reading. 

TIME	TOPIC AND ACTIVITIES	SPEAKER/LOCATION
AUGUST 16 READINGS—THE SURVIVAL GUIDE TA MANUAL 2010 (CHPS 1, 2, 3, AND 5)
9:00am-12pm	Breakfast and Introductions Quiz 1. Basic Teaching Techniques Basic Teaching Techniques	Pitzer OE-291
12:00pm	Lunch Social with Department	OE Atrium
2:00pm-5:00pm	Quiz 2. Cooperative Learning Cooperative Learning	Pitzer OE-291
AUGUST 17 READINGS—(CHPS. 2, 4 & 6)
9:00AM-2PM	Quiz 3 Safety and Animal Use Issues Safety and Animal Use Teaching Portfolios*	Pitzer OE-291
2:00PM	Meet with Head TA or Instructor of Record	Pitzer OE-291 and HLS ?
AUGUST 18
9:00AM-5:00PM	CPR/FIRST AID CERTIFICATION	OE 102
AUGUST 19
9:00AM-5:00PM	CPR/FIRST AID CERTIFICATION	OE 102
Friday Aug. 20 9AM to 12PM	Immigration Orientation Fall 2010 Friday, August 20, 2010 Starts at 9:00 a.m. and ends at 12:00 p.m. Modesto A. Maidique Campus: Room GC 243 or Biscayne Bay Campus: Room WUC 155	http://isss.fiu.edu/f1orientation.htm

*Note:  if you've ever taught before and have any left-over materials, please bring them with you to start your teaching portfolio. Just an example of things like a syllabus, quizzes, etc.