Learning Assistants (LAs) are undergraduate peer educators who work alongside students in the classroom to facilitate active learning and promote an engaging learning environment. In 2025-26AY, the chemistry department had approximately 100 LAs embedded in our courses, from Chem 1 to Chem 132.

From student evaluations:

"I was really able to get my questions answered and the LA/TA/Professor were an amazing community and helped me understand chemistry."

"...the LA and TAs are phenomenal. All are so kind and eager to help. I haven't met one unpassionate TA or LA. I came into the quarter fearing Chem 51 because I heard it's really hard, but I actually came to enjoy it. A major part of this enjoyment I have to credit the TAs and LAs for. Their positive energy translated to my positive learning."

"The weekly discussions were the most helpful. Allowing me to work through complex mechanisms and do synthesis in a collaborative environment with all of the help from LA and TAs."

"The discussions were where most of my learning came from. The lectures gave a good based, but truly understanding Ochem in depth occurred in the discussion with TAs and LAs."

Interested in becoming a Chemistry Learning Assistant?

• More information about the program, requirements, and benefits can be found at UCI Learning Assistants.
• Students interested in becoming learning assistants should reach out directly to the instructor of the course of interest one quarter in advance (ideally by week 5 of the quarter in advance).
• LAs must be UCI undergraduate students, attend a weekly teaching team meeting with the instructor of the course of interest, and enroll in Uni Stu 198 (LA Mentoring).
• LAs complete a quarter of pedagogical training, Uni Stu 176 (Certified Learning Assistants Program), typically concurrent with their first LA position.