Teaching Requirement

Each graduate student admitted to the Ph.D. Program in bioinformatics is mandated to serve as a teaching assistant (TA) for at least two quarters. This will aid in preparing the students for careers in which teaching plays an important role. In addition, each student will have opportunities to make research presentations to the graduate program students/faculty. Students will also discuss their progress at the annual program meeting to be held each year. It is anticipated these formal presentations will serve as valuable training in preparing the student for a teaching career.

Bioinformatics graduate students may also participate in additional TA training provided by the Office of Graduate Studies and Research through the Center for Teaching Development (CTD).

UCSD requires that all TAs receive training in teaching. Most departments use the Teaching Assistant Development Program at CTD to provide some or all of their training. Typically, training consists of a combination of workshops, observations, and consultations designed to provide an opportunity for graduate students, TAs, and postdocs to explore many of the issues involved in college and university teaching and develop the competencies required of effective college instructors. In addition to developing experience and expertise in college teaching, participants in courses such as the Preparing Professional Faculty (PPF) Program are introduced to a wide range of faculty responsibilities.