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Application Guidelines

If you are interested in being an undergraduate teaching assistant (UGTA) or dissecting intern for IPHY 3415, here is what you need to know.

All Applications

This list applies to both UGTA and dissecting intern applications:

• Applications may be submitted at any time.
• Applicants must be able to commit to their availability schedule when applying.
• Applicants must have at least a "B-" (in either IPHY 3415 or IPHY 3417) to apply.
• Students currently enrolled in anatomy lab may apply. Students with an "A-" or higher may apply after 2 exam scores are posted to Canvas. All other current students must have at least 3 exam scores posted to Canvas to be considered.
• Applications will not be looked at until approximately 2 weeks into registration for the relevant semester. Selections for spring semester will be determined within a week after fall break, and offers will be made based on the availability you listed for lab sections. Offers for summer and fall UGTA positions typically will be made in late April or early May.
• Please be as accurate as possible and consider waiting to apply until you have registered for your other classes.
• There is no particular advantage to applying early, however, it is important to apply before the selection process gets underway.
• Applicants who are offered positions will be contacted via the email (or possibly the phone number) provided in their application. 
• Depending on offers received, you can potentially sign up for multiple positions concurrently.  If you happen to be selected as both a UGTA and a dissecting intern, then you will earn a total of 3 credit hours.
• DIssecting interns and UGTAs (including both degree-seeking students and post-bacc students) are enrolled as students (see specific course numbers below), receive a letter grade, do not receive financial remuneration for their work, and do have to pay tuition. 
• To apply for any of the positions described below, fill out the .

Dissecting Intern

• This position is for students who want involvement with cadaver dissection, but without a teaching role. If you have been an anatomy UGTA in the past, and would like more dissecting experience, this position may be right for you. Alternatively, if you have merely completed IPHY 3415 or 3417 and want to learn about dissection, this may be a good fit for you as well.
• You will work with one of the lead dissectors, typically Heidi Bustamante, Ruth Heisler, Steve Hobbs, Tammy Maldonado, or Leif Saul.
• All dissection (with rare exceptions) takes place on Fridays, and you will need to commit to block(s) of time totalling 3 hours per week.
• To increase your chance of being selected, leave your Friday mornings open, or at least make yourself available for a continuous block of 3 hours.
• Currently, dissecting internships are much more competitive (due to applicant numbers) than UGTA positions. If you are eager to find a position in the lab, consider applying for a UGTA position.  To ensure we find enough UGTAs, dissector applicants who also apply for and accept a UGTA position are more likely to be selected as a dissector.
• You will earn 1 credit hour. The course number will be IPHY 2910 or 4930, depending on your year in college.
• Your grade is based on following instructions, making a good effort to learn proper technique, cooperating with the dissecting team, appropriate respect for cadavers and laboratory rules, and working the designated hours.

Undergraduate TA

• You will be enrolled in IPHY 3010-801: Teaching in Integrative Physiology, for 2 credits. The maximum total credits allowed for IPHY 3010 is 6, so you can enroll in this up to three times.
• We are always in need of undergraduate students to help teach a specific lab section.  These positions are sometimes called "Teaching UGTA" positions to emphasize that you are teaching a lab section.
• The anatomy lab UGTA position is a great way to build a strong record in pursuit of a career in health care, demonstrating leadership, communication and teamwork skills in addition to expertise in human anatomy.
• You must attend the preparatory meetings every Friday 1:25-2:15pm in order to participate as a UGTA. If you cannot attend the designated meeting times, you will not be allowed to be an undergrad TA. 
• If possible, it's recommended to leave an hour open after 2:15 as well on Fridays, so you will have the option of additional time with the materials, for those weeks that have a lot of material.
• Your grade is based on attendance at labs and prep sessions, preparation, interaction with ALL of the students, ability to communicate well with the students, carrying out the assigned work, appropriate respect for cadavers and laboratory rules, etc.
• You are also welcome to assist with cadaver dissection as space allows, although this is not required.
• You can participate during Spring, Summer Session A, Summer Session B, or Fall semester.
• Because exactly one UGTA is needed for each lab section, applicants indicating greater schedule flexibility generally have an advantage in the selection process.
• (Note - depending on staffing and logistics, in some semesters we have had a second category of UGTA, called Cadaver Specialist UGTAs, who performed dissection, attended a separate grad student TA meeting, and then presented cadaver tours at the UGTA meeting.  However, as of Fall 2022 and going forward, we are currently NOT offering Cadaver Specialist UGTA positions.)