The Department of Physics and Astronomy offers two Undergraduate Teaching Assistant (UTA) programs.
Peer Tutor UTAs
Eligible students can be invited by the department or recommended by their instructor for a position as a UTA Peer Tutor. These UTAs provide tutoring to undergraduate students taking introductory level physics courses and assist the faculty as they teach these courses. UTAs are often available in PHYS 0110, 0111, 0174, 0175, 0475, and 0476.
If you passed one of these courses with a "A" or higher, you may be eligible for a UTA Peer Tutor position. UTAs receive 2 credits for their participation.
UTA Applications are being accepted for the 2025 Spring Semester.
If you meet the above requirements, please complete the Spring 2025 Application and submit it to sbs127@pitt.edu. Applications will be accepted until the end of Spring's Add/Drop period or until all positions are filled. -- UTA spots are first come, first served.
Resource Room UTAs
Eligible junior and senior students can be invited by the department for a position as a UTA for the Resource Room. Much like with the UTA Peer Tutor program, UTAs for the Resource Room will assist students with questions regarding their Physics and Astronomy courses. These students, however, are not directly tied to a course; instead, they tutor undergraduates alongside Graduate Teaching Assistants.
Guidelines for the Resource Room
Frequently Asked Questions
What do I get for becoming a UTA?
2 credits in PHYS 1904: Experience in Undergraduate Teaching.
Can I get monetary compensation for becoming a UTA?
Typically no: we are occasionally able to compensate Resource Room UTAs, but we are not able to do so at this time. This page will be updated if this changes, but you can always ask the Undergraduate Coordinator at paugrad@pitt.edu to confirm.
Can I UTA for a class that isn’t listed as an introductory course?
Occasionally, yes! Instructors are able to take on UTAs for any physics or astronomy course, though instructors may not always need the help. Contact the professor of the course to see if they would be willing to have you as a UTA.
Can I UTA for a class over the summer?
We typically do not offer UTA positions during the summer, though individual instructors may still take a UTA on a case-by-case basis.
Do duties differ for UTAs assisting non-introductory courses?
Usually yes. Prerequisites would still apply: you would still need to have taken and passed that course (or a higher-level equivalent) to become a UTA for that course. Office Hours may or may not be required depending on the course, and you may have more specific responsibilities during lectures. A contract or written agreement would be determined with your instructor before classes begin to specify these duties.
Where is in-person UTA tutoring?
304 Old Engineering Hall (OEH). Hours vary, so please refer to the UTA Schedule.
Other Resources
UTA Resource Room: 304 Old Engineering Hall (OEH)
For questions/comments about the UTA program, please contact:
Sydney Seufer
Undergraduate and Outreach Coordinator
100 Allen Hall
sbs127@pitt.edu