We’re excited to announce two Spring 2026 courses—Scientific Teaching for TAs (INTEGSCI 605) and College Science Teaching (INTEGSCI 650)—that both count toward the Certificate in Higher Education Teaching and Learning.
In these courses, you’ll get hands-on experience with evidence-based teaching in a collaborative environment, with opportunities to build skills you can apply immediately in your role as a TA or instructor.
INTEGSCI 605: Scientific Teaching for TAs
Credits: 1
Instructor: Cara Theisen
This course aims to help new TAs gain skills in scientific teaching to be effective and efficient in their roles. You will get just-in-time support as you work with students, share experiences and innovative ideas with fellow TAs, and enhance your knowledge about teaching and learning. The course focuses on learning the core themes of scientific teaching (active learning, assessment, and diversity) and applying them to the courses that TAs are teaching.
This course will address questions such as:
- How does learning work?
- Who are my students, and how can I better engage them?
- How can I give students feedback that fosters learning?
- How can I create a positive learning environment?
- How can I teach efficiently (to balance teaching with research) and effectively?
Who It’s For
The course is especially appropriate for new TAs, or TAs with limited teaching experience. TAs teaching all levels and types of STEM courses are welcome to participate.
Requirements
You must be a TA in a STEM course concurrently. Instructor permission is required to enroll.
INTEGSCI 650: College Science Teaching
Credits: 1–2*
Instructor: Cara Theisen
This course is designed for graduate students and postdocs who are preparing for a practicum teaching experience in a college-level science course. You’ll learn the core principles of scientific teaching and apply them to practical strategies for teaching science courses, while also developing community around this shared experience. The cohort will work together to learn the core themes of scientific teaching (active learning, assessment, and diversity) in theory so that they can make informed decisions about their teaching in the future.
Who It’s For
This course is ideal for those who are actively designing or redesigning instructional materials for a course they will be teaching as an instructor of record or in an equivalent role (e.g., Lecturer SA, TA with redesign responsibility, redesigning and implementing a module in a lab) for a significant portion of the course. Please note that guest lecturing or one-time teaching activities do not meet the practicum requirement.
Requirements
Enrollment is limited and spots will be offered through a short application process.
* Note about credits: 2 credits is standard for this course. Contact Cara Theisen to discuss taking for 1 credit if needed.