2018 TA Orientation

TA Orientation

TA Orientation 

All TAs who have not yet attended the UC Davis TA Orientation are required to do so by the University of California Office of the President and UC Davis Graduate Studies, even if they have taught previously. This orientation is different and in addition to your department orientation. The goal of this requirement is to help graduate students develop as instructors and effectively teach our undergraduates. 

TA Orientation is designed to help graduate students succeed in their role as TAs at UC Davis by introducing them to the principles and practices of effective teaching. In-person sessions emphasize practical teaching skills and strategies, and include topics such as establishing a positive classroom atmosphere on the first day, leading effective discussions, presenting information clearly, and grading efficiently. In order to fulfill the TA Orientation requirement, you must attend all in-person workshops you are assigned toYou must also complete self-paced modules on UC Davis’s learning management system, Canvas, before attending your assigned session. The modules will take approximately 1.5 hours to complete and must be done before attending your assigned in-person session. Here is your link to the course.

Check in will begin 30 minutes before the start of the orientation in the Teaching and Learning Complex lobby (view on map). We encourage you to arrive early to allow sufficient time to check in before the first session begin.

The next TA Orientation will take place on March 4, 2024 from 8:45 AM - Noon.
Registration is now closed.

 



The TA's Guide to Effective Teaching at UC Davis - download PDF

Image: TA Guide Cover

Contact

If you have additional questions, please scroll to our FAQ's below. Still can't find an answer to your question? Email us at TAOrientation@ucdavis.edu.

TAO Program Schedule

ProgramDay
Agricultural and Environmental Chemistry Monday, September 25, 2023
Pharmacology and Toxicology Monday, September 25, 2023
Biochemistry, Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology Monday, September 25, 2023
Integrative Genetics and Genomics Tuesday, September 26, 2023
Molecular, Cellular and Integrative Physiology Monday, September 25, 2023
Communication Monday, September 25, 2023
Chemical Engineering Monday, September 25, 2023
Materials Science and Engineering Monday, September 25, 2023
Chemistry Monday, September 25, 2023
Pharmaceutical Chemistry Monday, September 25, 2023
Classics Monday, September 25, 2023
French and Italian Monday, September 25, 2023
German and Russian Monday, September 25, 2023
Comparative Literature Monday, September 25, 2023
Food Science Monday, September 25, 2023
Sociology Monday, September 25, 2023
Forensic Science Monday, September 25, 2023
Civil and Environmental Engineering Monday, September 25, 2023
Biomedical Engineering Monday, September 25, 2023
Community Development Monday, September 25, 2023
Avian Sciences Monday, September 25, 2023
Computer Science Monday, September 25, 2023
Biostatistics Monday, September 25, 2023
Statistics Monday, September 25, 2023
Ecology Monday, September 25, 2023
Ecology (Joint program with SDSU) Monday, September 25, 2023
Environmental Policy and Management Monday, September 25, 2023
Population Biology Monday, September 25, 2023
Education (Credential with M.A.) Monday, September 25, 2023
Education (Doctor of Philosophy) Monday, September 25, 2023
Education (Master of Arts) Monday, September 25, 2023
Educational Leadership (Capital Area North Doctorate in Educational Monday, September 25, 2023
International Agricultural Development Monday, September 25, 2023
Native American Studies Monday, September 25, 2023
Neuroscience Monday, September 25, 2023
Master's Entry Program in Nursing Monday, September 25, 2023
Nursing Science and Health-Care Leadership (Doctor of Philosophy) Monday, September 25, 2023
Nursing Science and Health-Care Leadership (Master of Science) Monday, September 25, 2023
Physician Assistant Studies Monday, September 25, 2023
Philosophy Monday, September 25, 2023
Psychology Monday, September 25, 2023
Study of Religion Monday, September 25, 2023
International Commercial Law Monday, September 25, 2023
Master of Laws Monday, September 25, 2023
Spanish and Portuguese Monday, September 25, 2023
Applied Mathematics Monday, September 25, 2023
Mathematics Monday, September 25, 2023
Animal Behavior Tuesday, September 26, 2023
Applied Science Engineering Tuesday, September 26, 2023
Art Tuesday, September 26, 2023
Atmospheric Science Tuesday, September 26, 2023
Hydrologic Sciences Tuesday, September 26, 2023
Soils and Biogeochemistry Tuesday, September 26, 2023
Child Development Tuesday, September 26, 2023
Human Development Tuesday, September 26, 2023
Clinical Research Tuesday, September 26, 2023
Health Informatics Tuesday, September 26, 2023
Public Health Tuesday, September 26, 2023
Dramatic Art Tuesday, September 26, 2023
Performance Studies Tuesday, September 26, 2023
Economics Tuesday, September 26, 2023
English Tuesday, September 26, 2023
Creative Writing (GECW) Tuesday, September 26, 2023
Entomology Tuesday, September 26, 2023
Geography Tuesday, September 26, 2023
History Tuesday, September 26, 2023
Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Tuesday, September 26, 2023
Music Tuesday, September 26, 2023
Political Science Tuesday, September 26, 2023
Textiles Tuesday, September 26, 2023
Biophysics Monday, September 25, 2023
Energy Systems Tuesday, September 26, 2023
Transportation Technology and Policy Tuesday, September 26, 2023
Cultural Studies Tuesday, September 26, 2023
Linguistics Tuesday, September 26, 2023
Animal Biology Tuesday, September 26, 2023
Anthropology Tuesday, September 26, 2023
Art History Tuesday, September 26, 2023
Biological Systems Engineering Tuesday, September 26, 2023
Business Administration Tuesday, September 26, 2023
Business Analytics Tuesday, September 26, 2023
Master of Professional Accountancy Tuesday, September 26, 2023
Maternal and Child Nutrition Tuesday, September 26, 2023
Nutritional Biology Tuesday, September 26, 2023
Agricultural and Resource Economics Tuesday, September 26, 2023
Design Tuesday, September 26, 2023
Electrical and Computer Engineering Tuesday, September 26, 2023
Epidemiology Tuesday, September 26, 2023
Human Development Tuesday, September 26, 2023
Integrative Pathobiology Tuesday, September 26, 2023
Preventative Veterinary Medicine Tuesday, September 26, 2023
Immunology Tuesday, September 26, 2023
Earth and Planetary Sciences Tuesday, September 26, 2023
Horticulture and Agronomy Tuesday, September 26, 2023
Microbiology (SOM) Tuesday, September 26, 2023
Plant Biology Tuesday, September 26, 2023
Plant Pathology Tuesday, September 26, 2023
Viticulture and Enology Tuesday, September 26, 2023
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TAO FAQ (2023)

Registration and Attendance

  • Why is TA Orientation required?
  • All TAs who have not yet attended the UC Davis TA Orientation (TAO) are required to do so by the University of California Office of the President and UC Davis Graduate Studies. This includes those with previous teaching experience. TA Orientation is designed to help graduate students succeed in their role as TAs at UC Davis by introducing them to the principles and practices of effective teaching, as well as providing UC Davis specific context. If you attended UC Davis for a prior graduate degree and attended TAO in the past, check with your department to determine whether they want you to attend again. 
  • How will my attendance be recorded?
  • As you work through the online modules, you will be asked to complete a number of activities that will validate your completion. During the in-person component, we will validate attendance using participation activities that you submit through Canvas (UC Davis's learning management platform) at designated times during each session. You will need to bring a device to your in-person session (a phone, tablet, or computer are all fine).
  • Do I receive a certificate of completion?
  • The Center for Educational Effectiveness does not issue certificates for completing TA Orientation. All certified attendance records are sent to Graduate Coordinators and department heads. Please check with your department representative for verification; records are typically available in October.
  • I'm observing religious holiday that conflicts with TAO. What are my options?
  • If your department is scheduled to attend TAO on a day that conflicts with a religious holiday, please email TAOrientation@ucdavis.edu for an accommodation. We will honor your religious observances by moving you to the other day's session or to the makeup session.
  • What if something came up and I can't attend the session I am registered for?
  • If something has come up and you are unable to attend the session that you are registered for, email TAOrientation@ucdavis.edu as soon as possible. We may be able to move you to an alternative session.
  • What is the contact information for UAW 2865 (Union)?
  • UAW 2865 Davis--Union Leadership

    davis@uaw2865.org

    UAW 2865 Davis Unit Chair--Deb Young

    deb@uaw2865.org

Accessibility

  • What if I have accessibility needs?
  • If you have accessibility needs that you did not indicate upon registration, please email TAOrientation@ucdavis.edu so that we can work to accommodate you.