DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS, OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY

COURSES

The Physics Department offers several courses in which graduate students assist the instructor in various teaching roles. There are usually 20 –25 teaching assistants (TAs) depending on which courses are running. The courses listed below are those in which TAs are employed, but each course may not necessarily constitute a complete assignment. The department may also employ graduate students on an hourly basis to assist with grading in upper-division or graduate theory courses.

PH 104 (F,W,S) Descriptive Astronomy

Lab assignments for TAs. Very popular introductory course. Subject matter makes this a very interesting class to teach.

PH 106 (W, S) Perspectives in Physics (for non-majors)

PH 205 (F), 206 (W), 207 (S) Astronomy – solar system, stellar evolution, galaxies

Lab assignments for TAs. Very popular introductory course. Subject matter makes this a very interesting class to teach.

PH 201 (F), 202 (W), 203 (S) Introductory Physics without Calculus

PH 211 (S,F), 212 (F,W), 213 (W,S) Introductory Physics with Calculus (lecture + laboratory)

PH 221, 222, 223: Recitation for Introductory Physics with Calculus

These introductory courses employ most of the TAs. The most common assignment for first-year students is as a lab TA. Recitations (part of the 20x courses, but separate courses for the 21x series) may also be assigned, but are more likely to be assigned to a second-year TA. All TAs hold office hours and assist with exam proctoring and grading.

PH 265 (F,S) Introductory Scientific Computing

The TA supervises computer labs. Programming is in Maple and Java. A first course in computing.

PH 314 (F,S): Introductory Modern Physics

This is a lab assignment. All TAs hold office hours and assist with exam proctoring and grading.

PH 331: Sound, Hearing and Music (aka The Physics of Music)

Baccalaureate core course for non-majors. Lab component

PH 332: Light, Vision, and Color

Baccalaureate core course for non-majors. Lab component

PH 411 (F), 412 (W): Electronics

This is a lab assignment. TAs should have a good knowledge of electronics.

PH 415 (S): Computer Interfacing

This is a lab course, and requires knowledge of computer interfacing and analog and digital electronics.

PH 320, 421-9 (F,W,S): Paradigms in Physics

Experienced TAs are assigned to the Paradigms sequence. TAs should be particularly interested in teaching – possibly even as a career. This is a demanding, but rewarding assignment. TAs generally attend the classes (especially in the first year), assist with in-class activities, including in-class labs, computer labs and small group activities. They hold office hours and assist with grading. They work closely with the professor and attend meetings of the faculty involved in the paradigms teaching and development.

PH 365, 465, 466 Scientific Computing courses

The TA supervises advanced computer labs. Programming is in Maple, Java, Fortran at least. TA is expected to be experienced at computing.

PH 481 (W) Physical Optics

This is a lab assignment in a relatively advanced course. The TA must have experience with optics.

PH 482 Lasers, PH 483 Guided Waves

These are cross-listed as ECE courses. TAs are from either ECE or PH. Lab assignment, optics experience required.