2025 TA Orientation participants engaging in conversation

TA Orientation

TA Orientation 

Registration for the Fall 2025 TA Orientation is now open

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. 

The 2024 TA Orientation Report is now available. Take a look inside for new programming, participant feedback, and changes coming for 2025.

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 Dates

  • Monday, Sept. 22, 2025 
  • Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2025

 

Registration will close on Sept. 5, 2025. 

Register Here

 


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 22, 2025
Pharmacology and Toxicology Tuesday, September 23, 2025
Biochemistry, Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology Monday, September 22, 2025
Integrative Genetics and Genomics Tuesday, September 23, 2025
Molecular, Cellular and Integrative Physiology Monday, September 22, 2025
Communication Monday, September 22, 2025
Chemical Engineering Monday, September 22, 2025
Materials Science and Engineering Monday, September 22, 2025
Chemistry Monday, September 22, 2025
Pharmaceutical Chemistry Monday, September 22, 2025
Classics Monday, September 22, 2025
French and Italian Monday, September 22, 2025
German and Russian Monday, September 22, 2025
Comparative Literature Monday, September 22, 2025
Food Science Monday, September 22, 2025
Sociology Monday, September 22, 2025
Forensic Science Monday, September 22, 2025
Civil and Environmental Engineering Monday, September 22, 2025
Biomedical Engineering Monday, September 22, 2025
Community Development Monday, September 22, 2025
Avian Sciences Monday, September 22, 2025
Computer Science Monday, September 22, 2025
Biostatistics Monday, September 22, 2025
Statistics Monday, September 22, 2025
Ecology Monday, September 22, 2025
Ecology (Joint program with SDSU) Monday, September 22, 2025
Environmental Policy and Management Tuesday, September 23, 2025
Population Biology Monday, September 22, 2025
Education (Credential with M.A.) Monday, September 22, 2025
Education (Doctor of Philosophy) Monday, September 22, 2025
Education (Master of Arts) Monday, September 22, 2025
Educational Leadership (Capital Area North Doctorate in Educational Monday, September 22, 2025
International Agricultural Development Monday, September 22, 2025
Native American Studies Monday, September 22, 2025
Neuroscience Monday, September 22, 2025
Master's Entry Program in Nursing Monday, September 22, 2025
Nursing Science and Health-Care Leadership (Doctor of Philosophy) Monday, September 22, 2025
Nursing Science and Health-Care Leadership (Master of Science) Monday, September 22, 2025
Physician Assistant Studies Monday, September 22, 2025
Philosophy Monday, September 22, 2025
Psychology Monday, September 22, 2025
Study of Religion Monday, September 22, 2025
International Commercial Law Monday, September 22, 2025
Master of Laws Monday, September 22, 2025
Spanish and Portuguese Monday, September 22, 2025
Applied Mathematics Monday, September 22, 2025
Mathematics Monday, September 22, 2025
Animal Behavior Tuesday, September 23, 2025
Applied Science Engineering Tuesday, September 23, 2025
Art Tuesday, September 23, 2025
Atmospheric Science Tuesday, September 23, 2025
Hydrologic Sciences Tuesday, September 23, 2025
Soils and Biogeochemistry Tuesday, September 23, 2025
Child Development Tuesday, September 23, 2025
Human Development Tuesday, September 23, 2025
Clinical Research Tuesday, September 23, 2025
Health Informatics Tuesday, September 23, 2025
Public Health Tuesday, September 23, 2025
Dramatic Art Tuesday, September 23, 2025
Performance Studies Tuesday, September 23, 2025
Economics Tuesday, September 23, 2025
English Tuesday, September 23, 2025
Creative Writing (GECW) Tuesday, September 23, 2025
Entomology Tuesday, September 23, 2025
Geography Tuesday, September 23, 2025
History Tuesday, September 23, 2025
Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Tuesday, September 23, 2025
Music Tuesday, September 23, 2025
Political Science Tuesday, September 23, 2025
Textiles Tuesday, September 23, 2025
Biophysics Tuesday, September 23, 2025
Energy Systems Tuesday, September 23, 2025
Transportation Technology and Policy Tuesday, September 23, 2025
Cultural Studies Tuesday, September 23, 2025
Linguistics Tuesday, September 23, 2025
Animal Biology Tuesday, September 23, 2025
Anthropology Tuesday, September 23, 2025
Art History Tuesday, September 23, 2025
Biological Systems Engineering Tuesday, September 23, 2025
Business Administration Tuesday, September 23, 2025
Business Analytics Tuesday, September 23, 2025
Master of Professional Accountancy Tuesday, September 23, 2025
Maternal and Child Nutrition Tuesday, September 23, 2025
Nutritional Biology Tuesday, September 23, 2025
Agricultural and Resource Economics Tuesday, September 23, 2025
Design Tuesday, September 23, 2025
Electrical and Computer Engineering Tuesday, September 23, 2025
Epidemiology Tuesday, September 23, 2025
Human Development Tuesday, September 23, 2025
Integrative Pathobiology Tuesday, September 23, 2025
Preventative Veterinary Medicine Tuesday, September 23, 2025
Immunology Tuesday, September 23, 2025
Earth and Planetary Sciences Tuesday, September 23, 2025
Horticulture and Agronomy Tuesday, September 23, 2025
Microbiology (SOM) Tuesday, September 23, 2025
Plant Biology Tuesday, September 23, 2025
Plant Pathology Tuesday, September 23, 2025
Viticulture and Enology Tuesday, September 23, 2025
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TAO FAQ (2025)

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.