The role of a learning assistant is to encourage students to work actively during class and lab.
These courses are available for Fall 2025:
Bio Sci 93, Williams and Thompson-Peer
The LAs will support student learning during lecture time, in online discussion forums, and in“problem-solving sessions.” If you are chosen to be a learning assistant for Bio 93, your responsibilities will be:
- Attend lecture (MWF in ALP 1300 at 11a or 12p) to help students with class activities
- Attend a weekly instructional meeting Wednesdays at 1pm (room TBD)
- Oversee three “problem-solving sessions” during the week:
a. Mondays 10-10:50 am
b. Mondays 1-1:50 pm
c. Mondays 2-2:50 pm
d. Tuesdays 10-10:50 am
e. Tuesdays 11-11:50 am
f. Tuesdays 12-12:50 pm
g. Wednesdays 2-2:50 pm
h. Wednesdays 3-3:50 pm
i. Fridays 10-10:50 am - Submit problem-solving session attendance records and a weekly progress report
- Engage in online discussion forums (like EdDiscussion).
In the problem-solving sessions LAs will guide students in how to work through sample problems in a worksheet. You will move between groups of 2-5 students and support them as they work through the problems. You will also take attendance so participating students can get extra credit. This format is intended to help students learn to solve Bio 93 problems and get advice from you (as a past successful student). You are not the “instructor” of the problem-solving sessions, and it is fine to look up information rather than knowing everything.
You will earn 2 units of BioSci 192A for being an LA for this class. One unit is for attending class and the weekly meeting (MWF at 11a or 12p plus Wed 1pm), one unit is for working in 3 problem-solving sessions.
Bio Sci 100, Williams
In Bio 100, your responsibilities will be to read the (all new) required papers, arrive a bit early to each class to find out the day’s plan, and walk around during activities and encourage and help students. You must agree that active learning and small group work are useful for student learning. There is no grading. Being on time, patient and enthusiastic are critical for this position.
Lecture is MWF at 9am
You will earn 1 unit of BioSci 192A for being an LA for this class.
Link to Application form
Here are some general requirements for being a learning assistant:
- New learning assistants are required to take Uni Stu 176 (Arimond, 2 units) concurrently. See the SoC for days and times.
- New learning assistants can only be an LA for a single course.
- Students can earn a maximum of 9 units for LAing as undergraduates. If you have been an LA before, go to your transcript and count the number of UniStu 198 or BioSci 192A units you have earned so far.
- LAs will be asked to complete several surveys in Canvas to reflect on their pedagogy.
Other quarters:
Bio Sci D170 Anatomy
In BioSci D170, your responsibilities are to attend lecture prepared to help students with the course material activities and attend 1-2 labs (your choice) and help students study the models and organs. There is no grading or office hours. Being on time, patient and enthusiastic are critical for this position.
Lecture is MWF at 1:00 PM. Lab times vary. You will earn 2-3 units of UniStu 198 for being an LA for this class.
If you are interested in being an LA, please fill out the form here: