UCLA Computer Science TA FAQ

This document answers some Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for Teaching Assistants (TAs) in the UCLA Computer Science Department.

Feel free to add, correct, or organize the information in this document, and share YOUR experience. If you are a TA, you should have write permission to this file: /u/class/ta/faq.html

On the Web this document is http://www.cs.ucla.edu/classes/ta/faq.html.

QUESTIONS

Getting Started: What courses do I put on my study list?; How do I receive TA notices?
Accessing TA Materials: Where do I store on-line class materials?; Where do I get copycards?; Where do I get supplies?
Locations: Where is the TA Office?; Where do I meet students?; How can I get in these rooms?
Useful Web Sites: UCLA general catalog - computer science; Fall 1996 Schedule of Classes - computer science Check the enrollment in your section(s).; Fall 1996 Academic Calendar; Fall 1996 Schedule of Classes - What's new?; Fall 1996 Schedule of Classes - browse using frames; URSA On-line You can look at your study list, but you still have to add classes by phone.; URSA telephone instructions How to add classes to your study list.; UCLA electronic directory Look up students.; UCLA libraries - computer science; UCLA computing and communications: Help; CS 495 Syllabus; CS Spring 1996 TAs (with links to older lists); CS "ta" newsgroup; CS reminder - latest list of CS201 seminars; CS /r/share1 repository; CS user-run FAQ (answers to common questions); CS newsgroups archive, including "ta" announcements; CS "ta" newsgroup archive - September 1996, including lots of junk postings; CS Archives
Contributing to this FAQ: How can I contribute to this FAQ?

ANSWERS

Getting Started

What courses do I put on my study list?

If you are taking TA training this Fall (this includes everyone who has
not taken this course yet),

  Sign up for CS 495 (Course# 587-770-200).
  This class is 2 units.

If you are TA'ing a course this Fall,

  Sign up for CS 375 (Course# 587-620-200).
  This is a variable unit course, 1-4 units.  Usually, people choose 4 units.

Thus we have 3 options:

  1) Old TA who has taken CS 495 before, teaching in Fall 1996:  
       4 units 375
  2) New or Old TA who has not taken CS 495, teaching in Fall 1996:
       4 units 375, 2 units 495
  3) New or Old TA who has not taken CS495, not teaching in Fall 1996:
       2 units 495

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Excerpt from the Fall 96 schedule of classes:

   375 TCHNG APRNTC PRCTCM    587-620-200  TUT 1   UNSCHED              
                              MUNTZ, R.R.          1.0-4.0 units  (SU)
       5 enrolled (max 25)    0 on wait list (max 5)
       Exam code: 30 (CONSULT INSTRUCTOR FOR METHOD OF EVALUATION)
       Restriction: COMPUTER SCI,EL ENGR GRADS

   495 TA TRAINING SEMINAR    587-770-200  SEM 1   UNSCHED              
                              RENNELS, D.A.        2.0 units  (SU)
       2 enrolled (max 25)    0 on wait list (max 5)
       Exam code: 30 (CONSULT INSTRUCTOR FOR METHOD OF EVALUATION)
       Restriction: COMPUTER SCI,EL ENGR GRADS

You can check your study list on-line, but you still have to add classes using URSA Telephone.

tsai@cs, 09/19/96, 09/23/96

How do I receive TA notices?

You should receive all TA notices by e-mail. Try "ypmatch dist-ta aliases". If your login name is not on this list, send mail to tsai@cs.

All TA notices are also posted to the "ta" newsgroup. (In case you can't access your mail because of a computer crash.) Old "ta" newsgroup messages are archived.

tsai@cs, 09/18/96, 09/23/96

Accessing TA Materials

Where do I store on-line class materials?

Fall 1996 class materials are stored in /u/class/fall96/csXXX. The web address is http://www.cs.ucla.edu/classes/fall96/.

If you can't create your files, check to see if you are in the "ta" group with "ypmatch ta group." If your login name is not on this list, send mail to tsai@cs.

tsai@cs, 09/23/96

Where do I get copycards?

Each TA is allowed a copycard for making class-related photocopies. To get a copy card, talk to Ann Goodwin. A $10 deposit is required.

mustafa@cs, 09/23/96, tsai@cs, 09/23/96

Where do I get supplies?

A TA should not pay for any supplies necesary for teaching a class. Things like paper, folders, staplers, transparencies, etc. may be obtained by talking to any of the departmental secretaries. The best secretary to approach is the secretary of the professor for whom you are TA'ing.

mustafa@cs, 09/23/96

Locations

Where is the TA Office?

The TA Office is 3563 Boelter Hall, the northwest corner. The phone number is 206-4102. It is only a campus phone.

tsai@cs, 09/18/96

Where do I meet students?

Office hours and student meetings are held in the Learning Lounge (3256-S Boelter Hall), just North (left) of the CS GSWSR. The phone number is 825-2440. So that TAs can study in a quiet office, do NOT meet with students in the TA Office.

tsai@cs, 09/18/96

How can I get in these rooms?

To enter you need a "swipe card". If you don't have a swipe card or you need to add TA access, contact Natalie Rosentzwieg (natalie@cs) in BH4732. Ask for access to the TA Office (3563) and the Learning Lounge (3256-S).

 _ a green light: ok, welcome ! 
 _ a red light  : card read but your database entry says "access not allowed"
 _ both lights  : couldn't read, try again

tsai@cs, 09/18/96

Contributing to this FAQ

How can I contribute to this FAQ?

1.  Edit /s/class/ta/faq.html.
    Please add your name/e-mail address to the end of your comments.
2.  Add your name to the document history at the end of faq.html.
3.  Save a copy of faq.html in /s/class/ta/old; i.e. "faq-15.html".
    Please "chgrp ta yourfile" and "chmod 664 yourfile", so that
    other TAs can read your file.

tsai@cs, 09/18/96, 09/23/96