UGLA / BIO494

Undergraduate Learning Assistants (UGLAs) provide a range of benefits to students, faculty, and the broader university community. These include peer learning and support, a deepened understanding of the course material, the development of teaching and leadership skills for UGLAs, and cost-effective instructional support for faculty via increased efficiency and lighter administrative loads.  

This SOP outlines the process for selecting undergraduate teaching assistants (UGLAs s) who will earn academic credit, ensuring a quality academic experience that aligns with BIO 494 undergraduate educational goals and does not compromise the educational experience for enrolled students.

This SOP applies to all faculty and staff facilitating and overseeing UGLAs receiving academic credit.

• Have >2.7 cumulative GPA
• Be approved by faculty to work with them for a specific course number and semester.
• Have previously completed the course in SOLS with an A or B.
• Receive department consent granted via the SOLS OMNIBUS form.
• Complete required training modules (e.g. FERPA) via the BIO494 Canvas shell.

Students can take a maximum of 6 credits total/combined for UGLA classes (BIO 494: Mentored Undergraduate Teaching Experience). A maximum of 3.0 credits may be applied to the major elective requirement for SOLS majors.
Honors students can receive honors credit for this course. Students must select a single instructor during enrollment. 
 

1. Students will speak with their faculty mentor about entering into an agreement for BIO494. The plan should include:
   • Credit hours
   • Learning Outcomes
   • Responsibilities
   • Evaluation Criteria
      
2. Student will complete the SOLS OMNIBUS form. Upon completion, the advisor will grant permission for the student to enroll in BIO494.
   • Campus – the campus where the student attends (immersion or online) – e.g. online students will enroll in an online section.
   • Session – the session aligned to the course length for which the student is a UGLA. Example: if their mentored experience is within a session C course, students should enroll in session C BIO494. 
      

UGLAs will gain experience in peer instruction, enhance communication skills, and deepen their understanding of course material through active engagement with students.

Before completing the OMNIBUS form, students and their faculty mentor should define both the responsibilities of the UGLA and the expected learning outcomes.

A brief description/summary of this conversation (<2100 characters, 2-3 sentences) will be provided by the student within the SOLS OMNIBUS form. 
The notes from and/or full agreement resulting from this conversation will be uploaded to the BIO494 Canvas shell, by the student, at the beginning of the semester.

• Responsibilities: e.g. attending lectures, aiding in labs, preparing materials, facilitating learning activities, holding office hours, and/or participating in required meetings. Discuss any plans should you work remotely on certain tasks.
• Learning Outcomes: what the student should gain from the experience (e.g., deeper understanding of the subject, teaching experience, leadership skills)
• Evaluation Criteria: an overview of how the student will be evaluated for the course (e.g., pass/fail or letter grade, based on performance and fulfillment of learning outcomes). If regular check-ins are required (e.g. to reflect on student progress, discuss challenges, and receive feedback) please indicate that here.

Note: Faculty mentors are solely responsible for evaluating the student and assigning a final grade for BIO494. 
 

Faculty mentors for UGLAs (BIO 494) are expected to provide supervision and mentorship to the UGLA throughout the semester by setting proper expectations, clarifying time commitments, and assigning meaningful tasks aligned with chosen learning outcomes.

Faculty mentors are also encouraged to:

• Offer Timely Constructive Feedback: Provide ongoing feedback on the UGLA’s performance, focusing on how they are handling their duties and how they can improve. Use these discussions to mentor them on teaching techniques, student interactions, and time management.
• Handle Sensitive Issues: UGLAs might encounter sensitive issues related to student performance or disputes. Faculty should be available to intervene and handle any complex issues that UGLAs cannot manage independently.