KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY
Master of Science in Architecture Program

The College of Architecture, Planning and Design has a number of teaching assistantships available for graduate students. A graduate teaching assistantship (GTA) provides a stipend and in most cases a reduction or waiver of tuition, but it does not support the full cost of attending Kansas State University. Appointments are generally made for one year, but sometimes for one semester only. GTA positions are awarded to students in the MS Arch program to assist faculty members teaching courses in the Department of Architecture, Environmental Design Studies program, or to assist with other activities of the college. Appointments vary from one to five-tenths times. The typical appointment is four or five-tenths time. The average time commitment is approximately four hours per week per tenth appointment; i.e. 16 hours per week for a four-tenths appointment.

Criteria for the Award of Teaching Assistantships
There are fewer GTA positions available than qualified applicants, and selection is competitive. These positions contribute to the instructional needs of the college as well as helping to support the best-qualified students pursuing graduate degrees within the college. Selection is made on the basis of each applicant’s prior academic record, the skills or expertise in particular subjects possessed by the applicant and needed for available positions, and skill in spoken and written English. Capability to meet the instructional needs of an assignment is given the highest consideration. Appointment to a GTA position in a given year does not guarantee that the graduate student will be reappointed for a second year. Factors considered for reappointment include satisfactory performance both in the teaching assignment and in the student’s program of study, as well as the funding available, the teaching needs of the college and the qualifications of other applicants. Appointments are usually made for no more that two years, except in unusual cases. The GTA may be required to adjust his or her schedule of classes to conform to the assigned teaching schedule. The Graduate School has established the minimum and maximum course loads in which GTAs may enroll each semester. Graduate students appointed for four-tenths are required to take at least six hours and not more than 12 credit hours per semester. Adjusting one’s courses to accept an appointment may delay taking some courses or may even delay completion of the graduate program. Each GTA is evaluated at least once each semester by the faculty member supervising their position. It is the intent of the Department of Architecture, when awarding a GTA to an entering student, to continue the award for a second year, assuming available funds, satisfactory performance in the GTA assignment, and satisfactory academic progress. Such students have priority for an award in their second year over students who were not awarded a GTA in their first year. Satisfactory academic progress is defined as approval by the Graduate Committee of the thesis proposal prior to the start of the fall semester of the second year, and not being on academic probation.

NOTE TO INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS APPLYING FOR A GRADUATE TEACHING ASSISSTANTSHIP: Each international applicant, for whom English is a second language, must provide an original score for the Test of Spoken English, scoring at least 50. This test is offered along with the TOEFL and should be taken if you are interested in a GTA position. Students whose English skills appear to be weak, based on TOEFL score, TSE score and other indications, are not eligible for award of a GTA Position in the first year of study. IN ADDITION, all international students applying for a Graduate Teaching Assistantship must provide evidence of financial support in the amount indicated by the Graduate School. An application will not be considered complete until this form and the supporting documentation is provided and thus no I-20 will be issued to the student.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE
Please read the following position descriptions and then complete the form. Include with the application any additional information which you feel is pertinent to your application and return to the Department of Architecture. All GTA application materials must be received by 1 February for fall semester appointments and 1 August for spring semester appointments. All applicants should note that commitments made to GTAs for the fall semester will usually, though not always, continue into the spring semester, which provides few new GTA openings for spring semester. Applicants are thus encouraged to apply for fall admission. NOTE: The Department anticipates making GTA appointments for the courses or assignments described below. As always, all appointments are contingent upon resources being made available to the Department of Architecture. All applicants need to complete the application form and may be asked to update their application as often as each semester. In addition to the application form, additional information or an interview is required for some of the assignments. In most cases, candidates will need to have excellent communications skills and competence in the subject matter. Graduate teaching assistants’ responsibilities frequently include attending classes and coordination meetings, setting up equipment and demonstrations, preparation of materials, and grading. Although most potential assignments are included in this description, occasionally an assignment is made for a course not included here.

POSITION DESCRIPTIONS
Department of Architecture

Appreciation of Architecture. This course is a broad treatment of architecture and environmental design for non-architects. The GTA is responsible for pulling slides for the lectures and assisting with audio-visual presentations. The GTA is also responsible for grade keeping, and scheduling office hours to deal with student questions concerning grades.

Architectural Programming. This course describes a wide variety of issues and analytical techniques important to the planning and programming of building projects. GTAs are responsible for attending lectures and coordination meetings, conducting recitation sessions, grading exams and evaluating assignments which require the application of the techniques described in the lecture.

BCSA. This course addresses the learning of building construction techniques with an emphasis on materials and assemblies. The GTA is responsible for supporting the lecturer by assisting with grading, maintaining class records and preparing audiovisual support.

Environmental Systems in Architecture 1. This course addresses the learning of a variety of techniques for addressing the analysis of the energy environments of buildings and the design of buildings with respect to the environment. ESA 1 involves a one semester long project in which students apply all the techniques they are learning to a specific design situation. This project is divided into five assignments, which are turned in at intervals during the semester. These assignments are modified in response to commentary and assembled into a final project document, which is turned in at the end of the semester. GTAs in this course are responsible for attending the lectures, responding to student questions concerning lecture materials, evaluation of the semester projects and examinations.

Environmental Systems in Architecture 2 and 3. These courses describe mechanical and plumbing systems, lighting, electrical and acoustical systems and present techniques used in their engineering and design. The GTA is responsible for most of the grading of examinations and homework problems. In addition, the GTA is responsible for setting up and taking down a variety of demonstrations that are used during lectures.

History of the Designed Environment 3. This is the final course in a 3-semester chronological history survey with a focus on the designed environment. It provides a broad understanding of the socio-cultural, artistic, technological, economic, and political forces which have had a major impact on our environment. HDE 3 covers from the mid-18th century to the present. GTAs are expected to attend 3 hours of lecture per week and help with class preparation and delivery of material during the class. They may be asked to hold review sessions and assist with research needed for preparation of class material. The GTA will assist with the grading of examinations, including short essays or other more subjective types of questions/answers, and maintain grade records.

Professional Practice. This course explores the transition from architectural education to architectural practice, covering the following broad topics: the architect, the firm, and the project. The GTA is responsible for supporting the lecturer by attending all lectures, coordination of audio-visual equipment, preparing course handouts, assisting in preparation of some class exercises, maintaining course records, and grading some student work. A well qualified GTA will have an interest in professional practice, office experience, initiative and flexibility.

Structural Systems 1 and 2. SS1 is an introduction to statics, and SS2 covers strength of materials focusing on the behavior of building materials under loading. The teaching assistants have responsibilities in both the lecture course and the recitations. Their role in the lecture course is to assist with audio-visual equipment, to supervise exams, and hand grading of the exams and final. GTAs will lead sections of recitation, each section meeting two hours per week. In the recitation GTAs will review material presented in the lecture, present sample problems, guide the students through the resolution of additional exercises, as well as assign, grade and review homework. Coordination of the recitations and GTAs is the responsibility of the instructor.

Structural Systems 3 and 4. These courses study concepts and methods used for the analysis and preliminary design of structural systems in buildings, including design of key subsystem components. GTAs are expected to attend the lectures and are responsible for grading the tests. GTAs for all Structures classes are expected to have office hours to answer student questions.

Environmental Design Studies Program

History of the Designed Environment. This first-year course is a chronological history survey with a focus on the designed environment, while providing a broad understanding of the sociocultural, artistic, technological, economic, and political forces, which have had a major impact on our environment. HDE 1 covers ancient times to the 12th century. HDE 2 covers the 12^th century to the mid-18th century. GTAs are expected to attend 3 hours of lecture per week, and help with class preparation and delivery of material during the class. They may be asked to hold review sessions and assist with research needed for preparation of class material. The GTA will assist with the grading of examinations, including short essays or other more subjective types of questions/answers, and will maintain grade records.

Graphics 1 Studio. This course is an introduction to instrument-aided drawing, covering line quality, orthographic projection, isometric drawings and lettering. The GTA will assist with the application of all techniques and principles discussed in the studio.

Graphics 2 Studio. This course is an introduction to perspective drawing, to be used as a communication tool. The GTA will assist with application of all techniques and principles
discussed in the studio.