Undergraduate Assistants - Engineering Fundamentals Program

Undergraduate Assistants serve in different roles in Engineering Fundamentals. Roles include:

serving as peer mentors to first year students,
supporting learning and instructors in class,
facilitating activities and supporting graduate teaching assistants in labs,
supporting students in teamwork through design projects,
answering questions in the EF Study Room, and
ensuring safe work practices in the First Year Design Studio and Woodshop.

Work Commitment

Undergraduate Assistants are normally scheduled for 6 to 9 hours per week, but may be scheduled for up to 10 hours per week. We will accommodate your class schedule when assigning your EF work schedule.

In accepting a position with EF, we expect that you are committing to work for the entire semester. It will be important for you to determine how much time you can commit per week in order to balance your responsibilities with course work, activities, and EF. We typically assign new Undergraduate Assistants 6 hours of work per week in their first semester. Returning Undergraduate Assistants may request 6 to 9 hours of work per week.

This is a paid position. Pay starts at $15 per hour.

Available Opportunities

Undergraduate Assistants support both Engineering Fundamentals Courses and the First Year Design Studio and Woodshop. Applicants may apply for either or both positions.

Engineering Fundamentals Courses

Undergraduate Teaching Assistants support Engineering Fundamentals in class, lab, and in the EF Study Room. Based on expertise and schedule, UTAs may may be assigned to multiple classes, but our goal is to assign UTAs to only one course and/or the EF Study Room.

EF Study Room UTA

Undergraduate Teaching Assistants work in the EF Study Room in ZEC 258 to provide help to students in most EF classes. UTAs are expected to be proactive in helping students, and have the ability to ask good questions and explain the concepts.
To be qualified to work as an EF Study Room UTA, you must have completed at least one of the following courses or course sequences with the required grade(s):
EF 105: (A- or better in EF 105) or (A- or better in EF 141 and EF 142)
EF 151 and EF 152: (B+ or better in EF 151 and EF 152) or (B+ or better in EF 141 and EF 142 and EF 152) or (B+ or better in EF 157 and EF 158)
EF 157 and EF 158: (B+ or better in EF 157 and EF 158)
EF 230: (A in EF 230)

EF Physics Classroom UTA

EF Classroom UTAs support instructors during Monday, Wednesday, and Friday classes. Classes include EF 141, EF 142, EF 151, EF 152, EF 157 and EF 158. During class, we review concepts from the learning pages and students on in-class practice problems or other assignments. UTAs walk around the room answering questions during class.
To be qualified to work as an EF Physics Classroom UTA, you must have completed at least one of the following course sequences with the required grade(s):
EF 141 and EF 142: (B+ or better in EF 141 and EF 142) or (B+ or better in EF 151) or (B+ or better in EF 157)
EF 151 and EF 152: (B+ or better in EF 151 and EF 152) or (B+ or better in EF 141 and EF 142 and EF 152) or (B+ or better in EF 157 and EF 158)
EF 157 and EF 158: (B+ or better in EF 157 and EF 158)

EF Physics Lab UTA

EF Physics Lab UTAs support GTAs during Tuesday and Thursday labs. Classes include EF 141, EF 142, EF 151, EF 152, EF 157 and EF 158. Each lab is led by a Graduate Teaching Assistant. UTAs answer student questions about lab activities and assignments. UTAs also provide assistance on team projects, including facilitating good teamwork interactions among teams in the lab section.
To be qualified to work as an EF Physics Lab UTA, you must have completed at least one of the following course sequences with the required grade(s):
EF 141 and EF 142: (B+ or better in EF 141 and EF 142) or (B+ or better in EF 151) or (B+ or better in EF 157)
EF 151 and EF 152: (B+ or better in EF 151 and EF 152) or (B+ or better in EF 141 and EF 142 and EF 152) or (B+ or better in EF 157 and EF 158)
EF 157 and EF 158: (B+ or better in EF 157 and EF 158)

EF 105 UTA

EF 105 UTAs support the instructor and GTAs during class, answer questions from students on the discussion board, and attend weekly meetings.
To be qualified to work as an EF 105 UTA, you must have completed the following course with the required grade(s):
EF 105: (A- or better in EF 105) or (A- or better in EF 141 and EF 142)

EF 230 UTA

EF 230 UTAs support the instructor and GTAs during class, set up and facilitate project work, answer questions from students on the discussion board, and attend a weekly team meeting.
To be qualified to work as an EF 230 UTA, you must have completed the following course with the required grade(s):
EF 230: (A in EF 230)

First-Year Design Studio and Woodshop

EF First-Year Design and Woodshop Assistants support safe operation of spaces in the First-Year Design Studio and Woodshop and assistant students with projects throughout the academic year.

EF First-Year Design and Woodshop Assistants

EF First-Year Design and Woodshop Assistants support safe work for students in the First Year Design Studio and the Woodshop, help maintain order and cleanliness in the space, and support routine maintenance of tools in both spaces. Applicants need to be comfortable working in a woodshop and design studio, but do not need to be proficient in the use of all tools to submit an application. All student assistants will be trained in routine operations, safety protocols, and maintenance procedures.

To be qualified to work as an EF First-Year Design and Woodshop Assistants, you must have completed at least one semester in Engineering Fundamentals. There is no grade requirement for this position. All EF First-Year Design and Woodshop Assistants must participate in routine training throughout their employment.

Application

The application is currently closed; the application will reopen in early February 2026 for a Fall 2026 start date. If you have questions about being an Undergraduate Assistant, please contact Dr. Martin (bmarti50@utk.edu; ZEC 260F).