DSC Tutors

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General Information

The Data Science undergraduate program offers undergraduate students the opportunity to experience an introduction to practical teaching under the supervision of course instructors through the DSC Tutor program.

Tutors support DSC courses in a variety of ways, including student-facing tasks (e.g., holding office hours and supporting students), as well as behind-the-scenes responsibilities (e.g., grading exams, handling logistics, and contributing to assignments). Becoming a DSC Tutor can help deepen your understanding of course material and build your professional skills. Tutoring is also a great way to prepare for jobs and internships post-graduation, and DSC Tutors often form connections with course instructors, TAs, and other tutors, which can lead to further opportunities.

We asked past Tutors to share their thoughts on the benefits of tutoring. Hear from them by watching the video below!

Roles and Responsibilities

As a DSC Tutor, your duties may include:

  • Attending lectures (required of first-time tutors)
  • Holding office hours
  • Answering student questions on a discussion forum (e.g., Campuswire, Ed)
  • Grading assignments and exams
  • Maintaining course infrastructure (e.g., autograders)
  • Providing feedback to instructors on assignments and exams
  • Other applicable duties as assigned by the instructor

Actual duties for each course may vary and will be defined by the supervising instructor. 

Tutors will receive a fixed hourly appointment in their contract. Tutors are expected to work this many hours per week, on average, throughout the quarter, including finals week. Hourly appointments typically range between 5 and 10 hours per week, depending on course needs and instructor discretion.

Minimum Eligibility Requirements

To be a DSC Tutor, you must:

  • Be a registered UCSD student with all fees paid
  • Have completed at least 2 quarters at UCSD
  • Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0
  • Enroll in DSC 95, the training course for first-time Tutors
    • If your first quarter of tutoring is in the Summer, you will need to enroll in DSC 95 the next time you are a Tutor during the academic year
  • Be on campus to work for the entirety of the quarter, including finals week

Note: Students cannot be a Tutor for a course that they are enrolled in. Most applicants are former students of the course(s) to which they apply to tutor. Students do not need to be a DSC major or minor to be a DSC Tutor.

Application Timeline

The application form will ask for your resume, teaching experience, and an explanation of why you’d like to be a Tutor. It is optional but strongly recommended that you submit a link to a video of a short teaching demonstration along with your application.

Tutor applications are typically due in Week 5 of the previous quarter, or in early July for the Fall Quarter. The application for Fall Quarter will be released after the end of Spring Quarter.

Note: While you might make informal arrangements with a course instructor, only DSC Student Affairs – NOT the course instructor – can send official job offers.

Tips for Applicants

When selecting Tutors, instructors are looking for applicants who:

  • Were active participants as students
  • Have strong grades, though this is not the only factor
  • Are enthusiastic about the course material
  • Convey a passion for teaching in their application 

There are many more applicants than available Tutor positions. If you don’t get a position the first time you apply, please keep trying!

Please contact dscstudent@ucsd.edu if you have any questions or concerns.