Teaching Assistantship

Each term, the ECE department hires Teaching Assistants (TAs) to support course activities, assist with teaching, and help students better understand course materials. Common TA responsibilities include tutoring, grading, providing lab/project assistance, holding office hours for student inquiries, proctoring exams, and performing other tasks assigned by the instructor or department.

TA eligibility

TA Eligibility

To be eligible to apply for and hold a TA position, students must be an active, on-campus MASc, MEng/MEng Co-op or PhD student in Electrical and Computer Engineering during the term of the TAship.

TA Selection Process

TA Selection Process

Available TA positions are assigned through a multi-stage process. Eligible students will receive an email with instructions once applications open. Eligible students will have approximately two weeks to apply for their top 3 courses of interest.

After submitting your application, you will receive an automatic email confirming that your application has been received. If you do not receive this email, please contact the Manager of Academic Services and Engagement.

Waitlist

Waitlist

A waitlist is created at the end of round 1. If you applied for TA positions but were not selected, you will be automatically added to the waitlist. Students who were ineligible in round 1 may also be added to the waitlist for round 2.

There is no set deadline for issuing contracts in round 2. Instructors may hire TAs at any time throughout the term. If an instructor wishes to hire you, they will contact you directly, either themselves or through the Academic Services Coordinator. Please note that we do not maintain a continuous list of available TA positions.

Requirements and Responsibilities

Requirements and Responsibilities

The TA contract outlines the requirements and responsibilities. Please read the contract thoroughly. Your instructor will give you your specific responsibilities for the term.

Failing to Meet TA Requirements

If you fail to meet the requirements of your TA contract or the responsibilities given by your instructor you may be issued a TA infraction. Upon receiving a TA infraction you will be issued a TA demerit point. If you receive 1 demerit point you will be prevented from holding a TA position in the following term. If you receive 2 demerit points you will be prevented from applying to the TA cycle for the remainder of your program.

If you only receive 1 demerit point and do not receive any further infractions the next term you receive a TA position, the demerit point will be removed from your TA record.

Potential causes of TA infractions:

  • Failing to show up and perform assigned duty as acceptable to the course and/or lab instructor (e.g. proctoring assignment, tutorial delivery, marking assignment, etc.) without acceptable documentation
  • Signing a contract initially and then resigning without acceptable reasons

If you have received a TA infraction you will have the opportunity to appeal the infraction if you wish to contest the decision. If you would like to appeal the demerit point please notify the Manager of Academic Services and Engagement.

Next steps:

Once you have accepted your contract, please contact the instructor to coordinate the details of your TA position. If this is your first TA role, you will receive an email during your first month with instructions to set up your Workday account and payment information.

If you have any further questions, please reach out to the Electrical and Computer Engineering's Manager of Academic Services and Engagement.