Teaching

The Physics and Astronomy department considers teaching experience an essential part of graduate training. Thus, full-time graduate students should expect to assume some teaching duties (e.g., teaching labs, grading papers, grading exams, etc.) for the department in addition to research. The amount of time required for any individual student for such tasks will normally not exceed an average of five hours per week. Assignments will be made for 4 semesters, beginning with the second semester at Rice. Questions about teaching assignments should be directed to the associate chair. Up to two semesters of required teaching may be waived for students who have had significant experience teaching physics or astronomy elsewhere. Service as a graduate TA would generally qualify for exemption, but work as an undergraduate grader would not. Requests for a waiver should be discussed with the chair of the Graduate Committee soon after arrival at Rice.