The Mathematics department offers a TA Training program each spring semester. All students in the Ph.D. program are required to participate in this program during their first year in the program. Exceptions can be made at the discretion of the graduate director. Satisfactory completion of the teacher training program is required for the Ph.D. program and for receiving a TA appointment (with corresponding funding) after the first year of studies.
This program consists of a weekly meeting to discuss the structure of the undergraduate courses at Rutgers, practice the basics of pedagogy and teaching mechanics, and review other issues relevant to new instructors and teaching assistants. Students will also be recorded giving chalkboard presentations of calculus problems in a model recitation, with a one-on-one follow-up discussion of the recording with an experienced instructor. Students will get the opportunity to observe recitations and workshops in action and discuss their experience during a session facilitated by current teaching assistants.
Others unrelated to the Ph.D. program can take the seminar at the discretion of the graduate director. Successful participation in this program may be necessary for employment as a teaching assistant or lecturer as a student from a different department.
The TA training coordinator for 2021-2025 has been Professor Matthew Charnley.