From the Astro Graduate Student Handbook (p. 27; c. 12 May 2022):

The Department requires students to teach for at least two semesters. This requirement is typically fulfilled in the first year in the program, though for various reasons (e.g., fellowship requirements, not enough teaching openings) it can be fulfilled later in consultation with the HGA and/or Department Chair. In line with other departments in the Math and Physics Sciences Division, the normal teaching load is a 50% GSI appointment. Students may opt to teach for more than the required two semesters; decisions to do so should be made in consultation with the student’s research advisor.

Each semester, the GSAO sends out a poll to students asking their teaching needs and preferences for the following semester. The department will make reasonable efforts to accommodate preferences, but there are no guarantees of teaching assignments as budgets and teaching openings can vary year-to-year. In some cases, students may GSI outside the Astronomy Department. Teaching outside of Astronomy will not count toward the department two semester teaching requirement, unless it is approved by the HGA and Department Chair.

Some external fellowships (e.g., from the Department of Energy) have specific teaching requirements (e.g., only teaching one semester). In such cases, the department will comply with these requirements.

Online Ethics Course

Teaching Conference for First-Time GSI's

Ay375

• GSI Teaching and Resource Center
• Berkeley Center for Teaching & Learning
• Berkeley Disabled Students' Program (DSP)
• bCourses is UC Berkeley's official learning management system built upon the Canvas platform. It provides excellent resources for managing class logistics, hosting course materials, grading assignments, and communicating with students. GSI's might not have full control over their class's bCourse page, so work with your instructor-of-record or head-GSI to maximize its usefulness to you.

Astronomy 375 is a required course for entering first-year students and other first-time GSIs on instructional techniques. It helps provide students with advice about teaching (with a focus on leading section for introductory astronomy, but also discussing lecturing and assisting with more advanced classes), and provides a forum for discussing and planning upcoming sections. Taught every fall by two senior graduate students in the department.

The Electronic Big Red Binder (EBRB) is a super valuable resource chock-full of lesson plans, worksheets, activities, and quizzes from years gone by. Reuse and modification of any and all of the materials in these resources is highly encouraged! So is uploading your own course materials for future generations.

• CAST
• CETL
• TITL

• Astro C10