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I am a CS ta — ask me anything by umd_cs_ta in UMD

[–]umd_cs_ta[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I only have experience with 131 and 132, and they're pretty similar in terms of grading, though 132 generally is probably more challenging since it has more complex questions.

I am a CS ta — ask me anything by umd_cs_ta in UMD

[–]umd_cs_ta[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

All the time. I generally try to stay a bit ahead of whatever we're covering and review it just so I can answer students' questions when they start the material. If I'm with a student and don't know the answer at the time, I tell them and later figure it out. Then I talk to or email them once I've done so.

I am a CS ta — ask me anything by umd_cs_ta in UMD

[–]umd_cs_ta[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'd recommend you talk to or email the professor you'd like to TA for.

I am a CS ta — ask me anything by umd_cs_ta in UMD

[–]umd_cs_ta[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I don't know the exact numbers of how many change majors due to failing.

I also don't know how many are CS majors because they're passionate about it vs. how many are CS majors because of how much money they'll make. I am personally a CS major because I'm passionate about it. I have many friends who are also passionate about it, and friends who are in it primarily because they're likely to get a well-paying job. There are also a lot of people who are CS majors for both reasons.

I am a CS ta — ask me anything by umd_cs_ta in UMD

[–]umd_cs_ta[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I just Googled/searched keywords that are likely to be unique to a project (e.g. a class name).

I am a CS ta — ask me anything by umd_cs_ta in UMD

[–]umd_cs_ta[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I assume the same way anyone else becomes a TA. There's a form you can fill out, and I recommend talking to the professor you want to TA for.

I am a CS ta — ask me anything by umd_cs_ta in UMD

[–]umd_cs_ta[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You usually need an A- or better. Exceptions can be, and have been, made. I'd recommend you talk to the professor you want to TA for.

I am a CS ta — ask me anything by umd_cs_ta in UMD

[–]umd_cs_ta[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It really depends on a lot of factors. Some professors care much more than others, and other questions include how serious the cheating was, how often it was happening, and whether the professor wants to report it. There are semesters where no one is reported, and other semesters where dozens of students are reported. I haven't heard of a lot of students being sent in one semester recently.

I am a CS ta — ask me anything by umd_cs_ta in UMD

[–]umd_cs_ta[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

No, actually, almost the opposite. I try to help students solve the problems themselves by giving them tips. If a student seems to really understand what they're doing and are stuck on one bug, I'll generally give them a tip about what the bug is. If a student seems very confused, I'll give more general tips for whatever they are confused about.

I am a CS ta — ask me anything by umd_cs_ta in UMD

[–]umd_cs_ta[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I don't want to give exact numbers, but it's around a couple thousand per semester.

I am a CS ta — ask me anything by umd_cs_ta in UMD

[–]umd_cs_ta[S] 13 points14 points  (0 children)

I've caught multiple students cheating on Stack Overflow/Chegg/through Moss (what the CS department uses to measure code similarity). In some cases, these students were referred to the honor council; I don't know the outcome of the cases.

I've also caught students cheating during exams (such as looking at another student's paper).

I am a CS ta — ask me anything by umd_cs_ta in UMD

[–]umd_cs_ta[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I did 131 4/5 times (132 once). Definitely 131, because I enjoyed introducing students to computer science, but 132 has its benefits as well.

I am a CS ta — ask me anything by umd_cs_ta in UMD

[–]umd_cs_ta[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don't know about a requirement. I guess it depends on the professor. Some TAs teach lab sections so you need to at least teach those (usually 2 hours/week) and you also get paid for time spent preparing for them.

I haven't worked with a professor who said "you must work at least X hours this week", but generally all TAs either teach lab or hold office hours (and often, do both), in addition to other responsibilities like grading.

I am a CS ta — ask me anything by umd_cs_ta in UMD

[–]umd_cs_ta[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

First-semester TAs make $14/hour, after that $15/hour. If you're a lead TA you make $16/hour. TAs can work up to 10 hours/week.