Grad Policies: Teaching Assistantships (GSIs)
At Berkeley, teaching assistants are given the official title of Graduate Student Instructor (GSI). A half-time (20 hours per week) GSI appointment typically entails responsibility for two discussion or three laboratory sections per week, holding office hours, preparation and grading of assignments and examinations, and other duties as assigned by the faculty member in charge of the course.
Appointments for EE courses are handled by Professor Anant Sahai (267 Cory Hall, sahai@eecs, 643-3633), assisted by Patrick Hernan (215 Cory Hall, hernan@eecs, 642-9265).
Appointments for CS courses are handled by Professor Paul Hilfinger (787 Soda Hall, hilfinger@cs, 642-8401), assisted by Glenna Anton (215 Cory Hall, ganton@eecs, 642-6285).
EECS graduate students will be notified by e-mail of the application deadline and assignments. The online application links can be found in our guide for prospective GSIs, Readers, and Tutors.
-
Minimum Requirements
In order to be a GSI, you must be registered and carry a minimum load of 12 units, have a GPA of at least 3.1, have no more than two Incomplete grades, and are making satisfactory progress toward your degree goal.
-
Required Course in Teaching
New ASE Orientation: All individuals whose GSI appointment is also their first ASE (Academic Student Employee) assignment must attend a New ASE Orientation sponsored by the Office of Labor Relations for the semester they have been appointed. If there is a failure to attend, individuals will not be eligible for ASE appointments in subsequent terms until they have attended this orientation.
300-level Seminar: All UCB students appointed as GSIs must enroll in a 300-level seminar on teaching concurrent with or prior to their first appointment as a GSI at Berkeley. These courses provide unit credit for preparation for teaching. GSIs in EECS are required to complete the course EECS 301, while CS students must complete CS 301, Teaching Techniques for Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences. Since most graduate students have never taught before, EECS 301 is an invaluable tool, presenting effective teaching techniques, alternative forms of instruction, and special methods for teaching key concepts to EECS undergraduates. EECS 301 takes the form of weekly seminars and discussions led by departmental faculty and experienced GSIs.
Teaching Conference: First-time GSIs must attend the Teaching Conference for new GSIs, offered by the GSI Teaching and Resource Center each semester before classes begin. International GSIs appointed for the first time must also attend the teaching conference for new international GSIs, offered in the fall semester before classes begin. Pedagogy is the focus of the conferences.
Online Course: First-time GSIs must successfully complete an online course on professional standards and ethics in teaching by the end of the third week of classes. To enroll in the online course, please go to the GSI Teaching and Resource Center’s website.
Materials relating to aspects of teaching, learning, and inventing are on reserve in the Engineering Library under the heading “Engineering GSI.” Examples of teaching tools are posted on a bulletin board on the second floor of Cory, by the elevators. Additional resources and information for GSIs can be found at the GSI Teaching and Resource Center in 301 Sproul Hall.
For detailed information regarding the GSI appointment, please consult Grad Division Teaching and Research Appointments.