Pta

dmission · January 3, 2009, 8:58pm

how do you get a PTA #?

fooshy · January 3, 2009, 9:28pm

You have to talk to the instructor and ask them for one. Usually they’ll ask you wait to see if you get in off of the wait-list, and then, if you’re still on the wait-list and there is room, you can request a PTA and they’ll usually issue it.

dmission · January 3, 2009, 9:48pm

sorry, accidently double posted. feel free to delete this one.

dmission · January 3, 2009, 9:49pm

Thanks. It’s for a chem class. However, not sure if there even is a waitlist (or if there is, how to get on it). On the registrar open course page it says there are slots available, but when I try and register on sisweb (by typing in the CRN), it says:
“PTA required to add this course.”

Pearlinthemist · January 3, 2009, 10:36pm

For a chemistry class, you can “waitlist” during the second pass, but it’s not really useful.
You are usually told for general chemistry during the first lecture that if you are on a waitlist and/or need a PTA to show up at ALL lab times that fit your schedule. There is a strict limit of how many students can be in a lab, so you will have to be flexible and settle for any opening. The Head TA for gen chem is responsible for giving out PTA numbers. The head TA does not have a waitlist order, so being “first” on the waitlist means nothing - who gets the PTA number will depend on the head TA. Sop stories don’t win favor. Head TA’s have been known to have students draw straws.

I also hope that you are not trying to enroll in a repeater section (“A0” or other section ending with 0). The repeater section has unlimited enrollment and a “TBA” lab section, because the only people who can enroll in that section have taken the course before and passed the lab part but failed the actual course. Repeaters do not have a lab. Repeaters also need to get a PTA on the first day of lecture because it has to be verified that they passed the lab but failed the course.

For upper division chem courses, you absolutely need to attend the first day of lecture and talk with the professor or head TA.

dmission · January 3, 2009, 10:39pm

It’s not a repeater. And since second pass has… passed, I guess no waitlist. So since my other chem class was cancelled, I try to sign up for a new one, but I get the PTA error. What should I do about this?

fooshy · January 4, 2009, 1:41am

Show up to the first day of lab AND lecture. Ask both the TA for the section you want to enter AND the professor how you should get the PTA. Usually it’s the TA who gives it to you.

dmission · January 4, 2009, 1:49am

First day of lab for that specific section, you mean? And I will go to the first lecture. Should I talk to the professor, or just hope he says something about adding? (according to sisweb, there are 6 slots open in this section).

Thanks again

fooshy · January 4, 2009, 4:16am

You should go to lab for that specific section.

dmission · January 4, 2009, 12:19pm

thanks – and just ask the TA for a PTA?

Pearlinthemist · January 4, 2009, 7:35pm

The TA of the section you want to join does NOT give you the PTA number. It is the head TA you want, and they should make an announcement during the first lecture. Go to the section you want to join but wait outside the door for the head TA to come by.

dmission · January 4, 2009, 7:57pm

So go to the first lecture and the first lab of the section I want to join?

Will the head TA show up to that lab?

Thanks,
dmission

Pearlinthemist · January 4, 2009, 9:44pm

Yes. Go to both. The head TA will come by to all labs at the beginning of lab in order to assign PTA’s.

Pta

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