2025 TA Orientation participants engaging in conversation

TA Orientation

TA Orientation 

All TAs who have not yet attended the UC Davis TA Orientation are required to do so by the University of California Office of the President and UC Davis Graduate Studies, even if they have taught previously. This orientation is different and in addition to your department orientation. The goal of this requirement is to help graduate students develop as instructors and effectively teach our undergraduates. 

TA Orientation is designed to help graduate students succeed in their role as TAs at UC Davis by introducing them to the principles and practices of effective teaching. In-person sessions emphasize practical teaching skills and strategies, and include topics such as establishing a positive classroom atmosphere on the first day, leading effective discussions, presenting information clearly, and grading efficiently. 

Requirements

In order to fulfill the TA Orientation requirement, you must:

  •  attend all in-person or virtual workshops you are assigned to
  • complete self-paced modules on UC Davis’s learning management system, Canvas, before attending your assigned session. The modules will take approximately 1.5 hours to complete and must be done before attending your assigned in-person session.

Orientation Date

The most recent TA Orientation took place on October 14, 2024. Information about the next orientation date will be posted here when it is available.


Contact

If you have additional questions, please scroll to our FAQ's below. Still can't find an answer to your question? Email us at TAOrientation@ucdavis.edu.

TAO Program Schedule

ProgramDay
Agricultural and Environmental Chemistry Monday, September 23, 2024
Pharmacology and Toxicology Monday, September 23, 2024
Biochemistry, Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology Monday, September 23, 2024
Integrative Genetics and Genomics Tuesday, September 24, 2024
Molecular, Cellular and Integrative Physiology Monday, September 23, 2024
Communication Monday, September 23, 2024
Chemical Engineering Monday, September 23, 2024
Materials Science and Engineering Monday, September 23, 2024
Chemistry Monday, September 23, 2024
Pharmaceutical Chemistry Monday, September 23, 2024
Classics Monday, September 23, 2024
French and Italian Monday, September 23, 2024
German and Russian Monday, September 23, 2024
Comparative Literature Monday, September 23, 2024
Food Science Monday, September 23, 2024
Sociology Monday, September 23, 2024
Forensic Science Monday, September 23, 2024
Civil and Environmental Engineering Monday, September 23, 2024
Biomedical Engineering Monday, September 23, 2024
Community Development Monday, September 23, 2024
Avian Sciences Monday, September 23, 2024
Computer Science Monday, September 23, 2024
Biostatistics Monday, September 23, 2024
Statistics Monday, September 23, 2024
Ecology Monday, September 23, 2024
Ecology (Joint program with SDSU) Monday, September 23, 2024
Environmental Policy and Management Tuesday, September 24, 2024
Population Biology Monday, September 23, 2024
Education (Credential with M.A.) Monday, September 23, 2024
Education (Doctor of Philosophy) Monday, September 23, 2024
Education (Master of Arts) Monday, September 23, 2024
Educational Leadership (Capital Area North Doctorate in Educational Monday, September 23, 2024
International Agricultural Development Monday, September 23, 2024
Native American Studies Monday, September 23, 2024
Neuroscience Monday, September 23, 2024
Master's Entry Program in Nursing Monday, September 23, 2024
Nursing Science and Health-Care Leadership (Doctor of Philosophy) Monday, September 23, 2024
Nursing Science and Health-Care Leadership (Master of Science) Monday, September 23, 2024
Physician Assistant Studies Monday, September 23, 2024
Philosophy Monday, September 23, 2024
Psychology Monday, September 23, 2024
Study of Religion Monday, September 23, 2024
International Commercial Law Monday, September 23, 2024
Master of Laws Monday, September 23, 2024
Spanish and Portuguese Monday, September 23, 2024
Applied Mathematics Monday, September 23, 2024
Mathematics Monday, September 23, 2024
Animal Behavior Tuesday, September 24, 2024
Applied Science Engineering Tuesday, September 24, 2024
Art Tuesday, September 24, 2024
Atmospheric Science Tuesday, September 24, 2024
Hydrologic Sciences Tuesday, September 24, 2024
Soils and Biogeochemistry Tuesday, September 24, 2024
Child Development Tuesday, September 24, 2024
Human Development Tuesday, September 24, 2024
Clinical Research Tuesday, September 24, 2024
Health Informatics Tuesday, September 24, 2024
Public Health Tuesday, September 24, 2024
Dramatic Art Tuesday, September 24, 2024
Performance Studies Tuesday, September 24, 2024
Economics Tuesday, September 24, 2024
English Tuesday, September 24, 2024
Creative Writing (GECW) Tuesday, September 24, 2024
Entomology Tuesday, September 24, 2024
Geography Tuesday, September 24, 2024
History Tuesday, September 24, 2024
Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Tuesday, September 24, 2024
Music Tuesday, September 24, 2024
Political Science Tuesday, September 24, 2024
Textiles Tuesday, September 24, 2024
Biophysics Tuesday, September 24, 2024
Energy Systems Tuesday, September 24, 2024
Transportation Technology and Policy Tuesday, September 24, 2024
Cultural Studies Tuesday, September 24, 2024
Linguistics Tuesday, September 24, 2024
Animal Biology Tuesday, September 24, 2024
Anthropology Tuesday, September 24, 2024
Art History Tuesday, September 24, 2024
Biological Systems Engineering Tuesday, September 24, 2024
Business Administration Tuesday, September 24, 2024
Business Analytics Tuesday, September 24, 2024
Master of Professional Accountancy Tuesday, September 24, 2024
Maternal and Child Nutrition Tuesday, September 24, 2024
Nutritional Biology Tuesday, September 24, 2024
Agricultural and Resource Economics Tuesday, September 24, 2024
Design Tuesday, September 24, 2024
Electrical and Computer Engineering Tuesday, September 24, 2024
Epidemiology Tuesday, September 24, 2024
Human Development Tuesday, September 24, 2024
Integrative Pathobiology Tuesday, September 24, 2024
Preventative Veterinary Medicine Tuesday, September 24, 2024
Immunology Tuesday, September 24, 2024
Earth and Planetary Sciences Tuesday, September 24, 2024
Horticulture and Agronomy Tuesday, September 24, 2024
Microbiology (SOM) Tuesday, September 24, 2024
Plant Biology Tuesday, September 24, 2024
Plant Pathology Tuesday, September 24, 2024
Viticulture and Enology Tuesday, September 24, 2024
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TAO FAQ (2024)

Registration and Attendance

  • Why is TA Orientation required?
  • All TAs who have not yet attended the UC Davis TA Orientation (TAO) are required to do so by the University of California Office of the President and UC Davis Graduate Studies. This includes those with previous teaching experience. TA Orientation is designed to help graduate students succeed in their role as TAs at UC Davis by introducing them to the principles and practices of effective teaching, as well as providing UC Davis specific context. If you attended UC Davis for a prior graduate degree and attended TAO in the past, check with your department to determine whether they want you to attend again. 
  • How will my attendance be recorded?
  • As you work through the online modules, you will be asked to complete a number of activities that will validate your completion. During the in-person component, we will validate attendance using participation activities that you submit through Canvas (UC Davis's learning management platform) at designated times during each session. You will need to bring a device to your in-person session (a phone, tablet, or computer are all fine).
  • Do I receive a certificate of completion?
  • The Center for Educational Effectiveness does not issue certificates for completing TA Orientation. All certified attendance records are sent to Graduate Coordinators and department heads. Please check with your department representative for verification; records are typically available in October.
  • I'm observing religious holiday that conflicts with TAO. What are my options?
  • If your department is scheduled to attend TAO on a day that conflicts with a religious holiday, please email TAOrientation@ucdavis.edu for an accommodation. We will honor your religious observances by moving you to the other day's session or to the makeup session.
  • What if something came up and I can't attend the session I am registered for?
  • If something has come up and you are unable to attend the session that you are registered for, email TAOrientation@ucdavis.edu as soon as possible. We may be able to move you to an alternative session.
  • What is the contact information for UAW 2865 (Union)?
  • UAW 2865 Davis--Union Leadership

    davis@uaw2865.org

    UAW 2865 Davis Unit Chair--Deb Young

    deb@uaw2865.org

Accessibility

  • What if I have accessibility needs?
  • If you have accessibility needs that you did not indicate upon registration, please email TAOrientation@ucdavis.edu so that we can work to accommodate you.