Qualifications for TA/Marker Positions

W Courses (BPK 180W, 304W, and 408W)

As these are writing-intensive courses, some marking TAs may be responsible for providing feedback on written work. For appointment to a position responsible for teaching writing in the discipline, applicants must demonstrate above average writing ability, sufficient to assess and critique written work. Applicants may be asked to provide writing samples or other evidence of writing proficiency. TA will be required to attend a W workshop or equivalent.

BPK 110OL The marker must be available to invigilate in-person midterm and final exams on campus, as well as to attend in person meetings with the instructor multiple times during the term. The marker is required to have demonstrated foundational knowledge across the areas of science associated with nutrition and energy balance, including related topics in human anatomy and physiology, biochemistry, molecular biology, and physical chemistry.

BPK 140OL The marker must be available to invigilate in-person midterm and final exams on campus, as well as to attend in person meetings with the instructor multiple times during the term. The marker is required to have demonstrated foundational knowledge across the diverse topics addressed in this course, including biological processes underlying energy balance, cardiovascular disease and diabetes, nutrition, and reproductive health.

BPK 141 OL requires the marker to have demonstrable knowledge of fitness conditioning programming. Typically the marker would usually have previously taken a strength and conditioning course and ideally a basic exercise physiology course.

Specifically, the marker should

• understand fundamental movement patterns and resistance training exercises.
• understand the design of basic resistance training (RT) program design and also more advanced split routine and block periodized RT programs.
• Understand cardiovascular physiology and the effect aerobic training programs has on this system and human health.
• understand the design of aerobic conditioning programs.
• understand human energy systems and the design of high intensity interval training programs.
• have knowledge of the human musculoskeletal system related to not only RT and aerobic exercise movements, but also myofascial release, joint distraction, and stretching techniques.
• understand sports nutrition and ergogenic aids.

BPK 142 This is a first year survey course, a broad range of subject matter is taught – anatomy, biomechanics, anthropometry, exercise physiology, environmental physiology, neural control of movement, and motor learning. The TA will need to have knowledge in all of these areas.  The TA is required to have a current CPR certificate.

BPK 143 requires the TA to have a current CPR certificate and demonstrable knowledge of fitness conditioning programming. They must have sufficient knowledge in the discipline of the course to interpret the course material and the ability to teach/coach practical components of the course. Typically the TA would usually have previously taken a strength and conditioning course and ideally a basic exercise physiology course. In addition, the TA must be physically fit enough to demonstrate functional movements and participate in exercise sessions.

Specifically the TA should

• understand fundamental movement patterns and resistance training exercises.
• be able to demonstrate and describe proper squat and deadlift technique, discuss common movement errors and the corrections (coaching cues) for those movements.
• understand the design of basic resistance training (RT) program design and also more advanced split routine and block periodized RT programs.
• understand cardiovascular physiology and the effect aerobic training programs has on this system and human health.
• understand the design of aerobic conditioning programs.
• understand human energy systems and the design of high intensity interval training programs.
• have knowledge of the human musculoskeletal system related to not only RT and aerobic exercise movements, but also myofascial release, joint distraction, and stretching techniques.
• understand sports nutrition and ergogenic aids.

BPK 180W The TA must have, at minimum, an introductory knowledge of ergonomic principles and demonstrated ability to conduct an ergonomic evaluation in the workplace.

BPK 201 requires the TA to have a good understanding of Newtonian mechanics as it applies to the human body. The TA should understand biomechanical research methods and analyses. They will help students use formal problem solving and critical thinking skills to make observations and draw conclusions about human movement. The TA should have a good grasp of anatomy to be able to describe skeletal muscle mechanics and connective tissue mechanics.

There will be a lecture and an assignment (Matlab) on basics of programing, so a basic background on programing is preferred (Matlab).

BPK 205 requires the TA to have taken this course or an equivalent and have a strong understanding of all human organ systems, including regulatory and homeostatic control

BPK 207 requires the TA to have experience in motor learning, sensorimotor control and/or systems-level neuroscience.

BPK 208 Applicants must have taken BPK 205 or equivalent, and have experience (relevant coursework or a degree) in the field of biomedical engineering (or engineering).

BPK 301 The TA is required to have demonstrated experience and aptitude with biomechanics. Reviewing written work will be involved, so written skills in English should be very good. Reviewing numerical calculations will also be involved so an analytical and detail-oriented approach is necessary.

BPK 303 The TA is required to have demonstrated experience with human anatomy and the assessment of human movement and function. Applicants must have taken BPK326 and the revised BPK303 (Summer 2020 or later) or equivalent courses. Previous clinical experience in an orthopaedic setting is highly desirable.  Applicants with a clinical degree is preferred.

BPK 304W The TA position requires demonstrated experience conducting statistical analysis and using SPSS and Excel at an intermediate level. There will be a lecture and an assignment (Matlab) on basics of programing, so a basic background on programing is strongly preferred (Matlab).

BPK 305 requires the TA to have taken this course or an equivalent and have a strong background in the physiology and physics of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems.

BPK 306 requires the TA to have taken this course or an equivalent and have a strong background in biophysics, electrophysiology, sensory physiology and cognitive function.

BPK 307 requires the TA to have taken this course or an equivalent and have a strong background in reproductive, renal and gastrointestinal physiology, including regulatory and homeostatic control.

BPK 310 The BPK 310 marker will grade and provide feedback on group assignments in the areas of occupational, sport, and clinical exercise physiology, as well as the exams. In order to perform these duties competently and efficiently, the marker must possess a deep understanding of theoretical and applied exercise physiology. The understanding must include the cellular and systems aspects of exercise physiology. The marker should therefore have demonstrated evidence of strong performance in BPK 310 or equivalent course, and its prerequisite, MBB 201 or equivalent, depending on the cell-focused content of the BPK 310 equivalent. Practical or research experience in exercise physiology would also be considered a strong asset.

BPK 311 The TA should have an advanced degree (preferably Masters level or higher) and demonstrated experience (e.g., research, publications, or upper level undergraduate/graduate courses) related to one or more of the following: nutrition, metabolism, biochemistry, physiology.

BPK 325B The TA is required to have demonstrated experience with human anatomy at the upper division level.  Previous experience teaching in an anatomy lab is highly desirable. 

BPK 326 The TA is required to have demonstrated experience with human anatomy at the upper division level, comparative anatomy, and vertebrate dissection. The TA must have demonstrated excellent dissection skills in an equivalent anatomy course. The TA is required to have experience with the Anatomage Table.  Previous experience teaching in an anatomy lab is highly desirable.

BPK 336 The TA is required to have demonstrated experience with human anatomy and human histology.  The TA is required to have experience with the Anatomage Table.  The TA must have demonstrated excellent histology knowledge and skills in an equivalent histology course. Previous experience teaching in an anatomy and/or histology lab is highly desirable. 

BPK 340 requires that the marker must attend one hour of lecture on four separate occasions during the semester.

BPK 343 The marker must have demonstrable knowledge of exercise prescription and fitness assessment and completed BPK343 or equivalent course.

BPK 375 requires the marker to have experience in upper-division embryology, endocrinology, and motor development; recent completion of BPK 375 is considered a strong asset.

BPK 375OL The TM must be available to invigilate in-person midterm and final exams on campus, as well as to attend in person meetings with the instructor multiple times during the term. The TM is required to have demonstrated knowledge of developmental biology, genetics, endocrinology, and motor development at the upper division level.

BPK 381 requires that the marker have at least one undergraduate course in psychology and must attend one hour of lecture on four separate occasions during the semester.

BPK 407 requires the TA to have a current CPR certificate. The TA should have demonstrated experience with most of the testing protocols used in the course. This includes extensive experience using the iWorx Human Physiology Testing kit. Successful completion of BPK 407 is preferred.

BPK 408W This is an upper-level cell biology/molecular physiology lab course, and the TA will be working closely with the instructor to support the students. Techniques we would need the TA have practical experience with include (most or all of): PCR, fluorescence microscopy, cell culture, basic molecular biology techniques. To give effective feedback on lab reports and student independent projects, the TA should have a general understanding of cell biology and regulation of gene expression; and strong writing/communication skills. Theoretical or practical knowledge of electrophysiology (e.g. BPK306 or BISC307 or similar) would be an asset.

BPK 409 The TA must have completed two of the following three courses: BPK 301, 308 and 407, or equivalent courses. The TA should have demonstrated experience with most of the testing protocols used in the course. 

BPK 411 (Cell & Molecular Vascular Physiology) requires the marker to advance knowledge of vascular physiology. Experience in BPK 305 or similar knowledge (3^rd/4^th level) of vascular physiology would be an asset.

BPK 415 requires the marker to have an advanced degree in neuroscience or very closely related field, extensive research experience directly related to a significant portion of the primary course topics, and have used several of the techniques or equipment discussed.

BPK 421/405 (Fall 24 first offering) BPK 421/405:  The course title is Clinical Exercise Physiology.  The TA must have a degree in Kinesiology (or equivalent) with up-to-date CPR-C and emergency first aid. Completion of courses in exercise prescription and assessment (BPK 343 or equivalent), exercise physiology (BPK 310 or equivalent), and experience with maximal cardiopulmonary exercise testing (BPK 407 or equivalent) are required.

BPK 423 (Fall 2022 and Spring 2023) Neuroimaging & Network Neuroscience focuses on technical and theoretical aspects of network neuroscience and neuroimaging. The TA will help students interpret and evaluate recent research in neuroscience, and will facilitate discussion of research articles in a journal-club format. In addition, the TA will work with the instructors to evaluate students' ability to distill and present research findings and relevant scientific theory effectively. The TA needs to have sufficient knowledge of neuroscience with an emphasis on imaging methods and brain networks, and strong skills in scientific processes and communication

BPK 426 is an upper-level functional neuroanatomy course. In order to support and evaluate students effectively, the TA needs to have sufficient knowledge of neuroanatomy and neuroscience, and very strong skills in oral and written scientific presentation, demonstrated by evidence of research and instruction experience in those fields.

BPK 443 The TA will have knowledge, skills and experience in the process of evidence-based practice (including systematic literature searching and formal critical appraisal of studies) as well as knowledge of exercise programming equivalent to that covered in BPK 343.

BPK 444 This course requires the TA to have taken BPK305 or equivalent and have experience with recording and interpreting 12-lead electrocardiograms.

BPK 446 requires the marker to have advanced knowledge of Neuroscience and Immunology and evidence of experience in those fields, preferably with a graduate degree. As reviewing essays will be involved, written skills in English should also be very good.

BPK 447 requires the TM to have coursework and/or experience in neuroscience, preferably systems neuroscience and neuroplasticity.

BPK 448  In order to be qualified to mark BPK 448, candidates must be familiar with current and emerging approaches that can restore or replace key functions of affected muscles or organs, including advanced neuroprosthetic therapies that use targeted electrical stimulation to protect, restore or enhance voluntary control of basic functions and/or support independence in activities of daily living, and their relative risks, ethics, costs, & benefits.  It is highly recommended that the Marker have taken BPK 448 or the equivalent.

BPK 458 OL Completion of an undergraduate degree in a subject area related to medicine, physiology, pathology or pharmacology. In addition:

• Demonstrated experience providing instruction online and face‐to‐face courses at the undergraduate level.
• Advanced knowledge of cardiovascular disease.
• Experience teaching, assessing, and facilitating discussion of interdisciplinary topics related to medicine, physiology, pathology, pharmacology, biochemistry, and disease prevention/health promotion to foster critical thinking in these fields.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a multi‐departmental collaboration.

BPK 481 The TA is required to have demonstrated experience with human anatomy and musculoskeletal conditions; applicants must have taken BPK 326 or equivalent anatomy course. The TA must have completed the revised BPK481 (Spring 2020 or later) or equivalent courses. Previous clinical experience in an orthopaedic setting is highly desirable.