Introduction to Programming

University of Guelph; Guelph; On-site; CAD 36,000 - 51,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Guelph is hiring Teaching Assistants, Graduate Service Assistants, and Sessional Lecturers for CIS*1500 Introduction to Programming. Positions run Winter 2027 with in-person duties in the School of Computer Science.

Anticipated duties include labs, grading, office hours, and student consultation. Successful applicants must be Winter 2027 students with CIS*2500 and Linux C experience, plus strong writing and CS concept communication skills.

Qualifications

• Must be enrolled as Winter 2027 student and able to perform in-person duties.
• Must have completed CIS*2500 with a minimum grade of 75% or equivalent programming experience.
• Proficiency with Linux command line tools.
• Excellent writing skills and ability to critique student assignments in writing.
• Ability to communicate CS concepts effectively, in writing and verbally.
• Proficient in command-line C development on Linux (gcc, gdb).

Responsibilities

• Lead laboratory sessions and assist students during labs.
• Write solutions for assignments ahead of due dates.
• Grade labs, labs exams and assignments.
• Monitor course discussion forums and respond to student questions.
• Monitor the support queue and complete tasks assigned there.
• Maintain regular office hours and assist with exam invigilation.
• Participate in weekly team meetings and attend lecture times as needed.

Skills

Linux command line

Strong writing skills

Explain CS concepts

C development on Linux

Education

Enrolled as Winter 2027 student

CIS*2500 with 75% or equivalent

Tools

GCC

GDB

Job description

for Teaching Assistants, Graduates Service Assistants & Sessional Lecturers

TA399879- Winter 2027-CIS*1500 Introduction to Programming

Teaching Assistant Work Assignment

Type of Work Assignment and Bargaining Unit:

UTA, Unit 1

Academic Unit:

School of Computer Science

Semester(s) of Assignment(s):

Winter 2027

Course Number:

CIS*1500

Course Name:

Introduction to Programming

Course Format:

In-Person

Course Description:

See Course Calendar

Other Course Description or Assignment Information:

The total number of assignments is a low estimate of the number of available appointments. The final number may be higher and it will depend on class enrolment at the time of assignment.

450-550

Level of Appointment for GTA, GSA-1 UTA(s)

The following is an estimate of number and levels of available appointments at the time of posting. This may change (increase or decrease) at the time of assignment contingent on departmental needs.

This Posting includes Multiple Work Assignments:

Yes

Number of Available 0.25 (35 hour) Work Assignments:

0

Number of Available 0.5 (70 hour) Work Assignments:

0

Number of Available 0.75 (105 hour) Work Assignments:

0

Number of Available Full 1.0 (140 hour) Work Assignments:

1

Total Number (Load) of Assignment(s) Available:

1

Duties and Responsibilities

Anticipated Duties and Responsibilities:

• Orientation-Training
• Office Hours
• Preparation
• Student Consultation
• Conducting Labs/Seminars
• Meetings
• Invigilating Exams
• Grading
• Other Duties (specify below)

Other Duties Described:

• Lead laboratory sessions and help students during sessions;
• Write solutions for assignments in advance of assignment due dates;
• Grade labs, lab exams and assignments;
• Monitor course discussion forum and respond to student questions;
• Monitor the support queue and complete any tasks assigned via that queue;
• Hold regular office hours;
• Assist with exam invigilation;
• Participate in weekly team meetings;
• Able to attend lecture times when necessary;
• May be required to complete departmental TA training. Further information will be provided upon hiring.NOTICE: The use of AI to perform job responsibilities must be directed by or approved beforehand in writing by the supervisor or course instructor.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• Must be enrolled as a student in Winter 2027 and able to complete in-person responsibilities as needed;
• Must have successfully completed CIS*2500 with a minimum grade of 75%, or have shown an equivalent level of intermediate programming experience. (PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR TRANSCRIPT TO DEMONSTRATE THAT YOU MEET THIS REQUIREMENT. The department reserves the right to verify grades.);
• Proficiency in use of Linux using command-line tools;
• Must have excellent writing skills and be able to effectively critique (in writing) student assignments;
• The ability to communicate computer science concepts to students effectively, both in written form and verbally;
• Proficient in command-line based C development on Linux (including gcc, gdb, editors).

Preferred Qualifications:

• Previous successful TA experience supporting CIS*1500, or CIS*1300;
• Familiarity with support queue/ticketing systems;
• Familiarity with learning management systems and online forums;
• Have taken advanced programming courses, including system design and data structures;
• Demonstrated knowledge of CIS*1500 or CIS*1300 subject area through course development or having recently taken a similar undergraduate or graduate course.

Days Required and Wages

Days and Times Required:

Must be available to support multiple lab sections as needed. See WebAdvisor for lab/lecture times. Must be available to complete in-person duties as required until the end of the work period.

Period of the Work Assignment (Start Date and End Date):

January 7, 2027 to May 7, 2027

Wage Rate (per hour, per semester, per Full-load 1.0 Work Assignment):

UTA $31.26/hr effective 2025/26

Other Posting Information

Application Deadline (All postings will automatically expire at 11:59 pm on this day):

Thursday, November 12, 2026

Posting Email Contact:

Hiring Contact Information:

Instructional Support Coordinator - [e-mail]

At the University of Guelph, fostering a culture of inclusion is an institutional imperative. The University invites and encourages applications from all qualified individuals, including from groups that are traditionally underrepresented in employment, who may contribute to further diversification of our Institution. For more information, the Office of Diversity and Human Rights (DHR) is a welcoming, safe and confidential one-stop shop for information, training and support on issues relating to diversity and human rights on our campus.

All applicants must be eligible to work in Canada specifically at the University of Guelph before applying for an academic work assignment. All successful applicants must perform their work in Ontario and must be able to attend on-campus in-person meetings as required.

Teaching Assistant work assignments are unionized with CUPE 3913 and their terms and conditions of work are covered by the Unit 1 Collective Agreement between the University and CUPE 3913 (email contact: [e-mail]).

The use of AI to perform job responsibilities must be directed by or approved beforehand in writing by the supervisor or course instructor.