Biol 449 Graduate Teaching Assistant Contract Winter (1261)

Course information

Term: 1261 (Winter)

TA Rate: $50.13

TA to start assigned duties by: January 1, 2026

TA to complete assigned duties by: April 30, 2026

Instructor Section

Instructor #1: J. MacDonald

Duties

GTA Responsibilities 1 Unit Comments

Instructor Contact hrs:

Includes pre-lab meetings and individual meetings.

7.5

Estimated breakdown:
Weekly meetings, average 30 min

Student Contact hrs:

Includes prep time, in lab time and office hrs. (online and one to one)

18

Estimated breakdown:
In-class discussions with student groups: 11 hr
Answering emails / discussion posts: 7 hr

Grading and Proctoring hrs:

Grading of midterms, assignments, and labs.

24

Final exam proctoring: 3 hours
Midterm proctoring: 2 hours
Grading: 22 hours

Note re final exams: 1 unit = 3 h of proctoring (1 final); 2 units = 6 h of proctoring (2 finals)

Other Duties:

 10

Tasks may include:
keeping up with course materials
meetings among TAs
contribution to course design / improvement
managing content on LEARN site
entering grades
training for above tasks

Proctor training (mandatory)

0.5

  
TOTAL: 60 hours
I accept/decline
The Instructor and Graduate Associate Chair have confirmed agreement of duties. By accepting below, the GTA also confirms acceptance of the contract. This document is deemed to include all the terms and conditions relating to my employment with the University, notwithstanding any other written or oral representations which may have been made to me. I accept this appointment and the above terms. I agree to the conditions of employment and policies and procedures at the University of Waterloo as they exist now or as they may be changed from time to time. Salary payments will not be continued beyond the completion date indicated without further appropriate authorization. (If I am not a Canadian citizen my acceptance indicates that I am eligible to work under current Canadian Immigration law).
1. Vacation Pay: 4% vacation pay will be paid in each pay period. TAs are paid on a monthly basis as per Payroll’s posted pay dates. 2. TAs shall inform the instructor as soon as possible if they expect to be away for substantial time periods on academic or university business and unable to perform duties during that time. The course instructor shall take steps to accommodate such absences when assigning duties (if available). If unexpected absences arise, the course instructor and the TA shall work together to make alternative arrangements (e.g., swapping duties/time slots with other TAs). 3. If the time allocations and duties cannot be agreed upon between the TA and course instructor, the department Graduate Associate Chair shall mediate. Refer to “to “Resolution of Disputes Between TAs and Instructors and RAs and Supervisors”” memorandum (2008) for dispute resolution between course instructors and TAs. 4. It is understood that the times indicated are averages and estimates, and the TA is expected to allocate time appropriately during heavy periods (such occasions shall also be indicated whenever possible). The TA is expected to communicate with the course instructor regarding their hours. 5. Grading turnaround times shall be discussed between the TA and course instructor at the beginning of term and outlined in the form. Normally, regular assignments should be marked and returned as designated by the course instructor within one week, and normally two weeks for larger projects or essays. TAs shall agree to return marked assignments within reasonable and agreed-upon times. Final examination marking may be subject to separate time limits, and should be discussed as soon as possible or when the final examination schedule becomes available.