The Laboratory
Three hour meetings of 10-20 student sections once a week or once every two weeks to perform experiments. Usually a worksheet or report is due at end of lab or one week later.
To give the student some experience with and respect for the techniques used to make the observations that form the basis for the field of study, illustrate lecture concepts, respect for experimental limitations
TA responsibilities (may vary a little with course and dept.)
Understand how to do lab: concept, analysis, tricks involved in making apparatus work, common pitfalls
introduce students to the laboratory technique and apparatus (and sometimes the science, as well), warn about pitfalls
Supervise lab, help students through problems (conceptual and mechanical)
Bring faulty equipment to the attention of laboratory staff