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The lab instructor of record, and not TAs, are responsible for course development. The instructor of record should provide all materials,
background, and training necessary for the TAs to set up and execute the labs, and should clearly articulate the expectations and
responsibilities of the TAs. The instructor of record should meet regularly with TAs to ensure that past labs were conducted as
expected, to help them prepare for future labs, and should provide ample opportunity for feedback from the TAs. The instructor of
record is the final authority for dealing with student issues in the course, and is responsible for ensuring that grades are accurate and
submitted to the registrar on time.
TAs are expected to work with the instructor of record to ensure that they have a full understanding of the rights and responsibilities of
their position, as well as the expectations regarding content and execution of each lab. It is the TA’s responsibility to be fully familiar
with every lab and, when necessary, to prepare solutions, specimens, etc. for upcoming labs. TAs must be prompt, respectful and
responsive to their students, and return graded material to students in a timely fashion. TAs must submit final grades to the instructor of
record well before the university deadline (by a date specified by instructor of record) to allow sufficient time for grades to be submitted
to the registrar. Failure to fulfill TA duties may disqualify a student from receiving future TA support.
Research Assistantships
Research assistantships will be offered by the department through individual faculty who have funds available from research grants or
contracts. Selection criteria will be similar to that required for teaching assistantships, but will emphasize the suitability of an applicant
for a particular research program. Stipends are generally the same as for teaching assistantships. Duties will be assigned by the faculty
member administering the particular research project. Research assistantships are typically awarded for a given semester or for the
summer based on funds available to the faculty member.
Similar to a teaching assistantship, the graduate secretary in the Department of Biology and Marine Biology will complete form HR 1.35
to initiate payment to you for your research assistantship. Valid I-9 and W-4 forms must be completed and forwarded to the dean of the
Graduate School before you will receive your paycheck.
Out-Of-State Tuition Remission
Partial out-of-state tuition remissions are available competitively. These remissions are typically offered to out-of-state students for one
year. During the first year of residence, the recipients are encouraged to complete the steps to attain the status of North Carolina
Resident (see section on Establishing North Carolina Residency below).
Scholarships Available to Graduate Students
Students should refer to the Graduate Catalogue http://catalogue.uncw.edu/index.php?catoid=14 for a complete listing of available
scholarships.
Graduate School Summer Research Awards
The dean of the Graduate School annually awards several stipends for summer research during a period when your teaching or research
assistantships lapse. The awards are competitive and require a research proposal. Please discuss the conditions and application
procedures for this award with the departmental graduate coordinator. The current value of this award is $1,000.
Graduate School Travel Awards
The dean of the Graduate School awards several travel grants to graduate students delivering a paper or poster presentation at a national
or regional conference. Your request for support, prepared by you and signed by the chair of the Department of Biology and Marine
Biology, must include evidence of acceptance of your presentation, evidence of matching support and an explicit presentation of the use
of the funds requested. The Biology Graduate Student Association (BIO GSA) also provides support for travel, and students should
participate in the BIO GSA to be eligible.
Student Loans and Applying for Research Grants
Besides teaching and research assistantships, state and federal loan and work study programs are available to qualified graduate students.
Specific information concerning details, applications, changes, and additions may be obtained from the Financial Aid Office:
http://uncw.edu/finaid/.