Laboratory Portfolio

The portfolio is a collection of all the work you accomplish in the AIL sequence of courses, preceded by summarizing information that is organized to show how you have addressed the course outcomes.  The portfolio includes the following components.

  1. A narrative summary of your strengths and weaknesses in the laboratory (1-2 pages).
  2. An up-to-date curriculum vita (literally, “story of life;” more comprehensive than a resume) that includes a listing of laboratory skills.  Samples from previous students are available on request.
  3. A list of the outcomes and description of the activities that have helped you achieve each outcome. 
  4. Include copies of all plans of procedure, laboratory reports, assessment forms, self-assessments and anything else that you could use to show your progress and accomplishments in the laboratory.  Independent research papers are appropriate here, as well.

Submit all of the documents as separate files in a single post titled “Portfolio” in VISTA. The collection of files should include all of the final, graded versions of plans of procedure and lab reports, book reports, curriculum vita, self-critique of strengths and weaknesses, cover letter, and documentation of outcomes. The names of these documents should follow the file name conventions.

Advanced Integrated Laboratory

Portfolio Grading Rubric

The Portfolio must include all items listed below in good form to be considered acceptable.

Portfolio components

Absent

Present but needs work (1 point)

Present and in good form

(2 points)

Critique of strengths and weaknesses

Up-to-date curriculum vita

Sample cover letter

Documentation of all outcomes

Copies of all graded Plans of Procedure

Copies of all graded Lab Reports

Copies of all Book Reports

Critique of strengths and weaknesses

Write a narrative summary of your strengths and weaknesses in the laboratory (1-2 pages). This essay should be a true reflection of your abilities and be written in correct English.

Up-to-date curriculum vita

Prepare an up-to-date curriculum vita (literally, “story of life;” more comprehensive than a resume). Use the general format of a resume, but include all of the categories below that apply to you. Use correct English. 

For advice and examples, view

http://www.udel.edu/CSC/Vita.pdf

http://www.cpp.umich.edu/students/cclibrary/careerguides/cvpub2000.htm

http://www.quintcareers.com/vita_sample_3.html

http://www.cvtips.com/reference_letter_of.html

Possible Category Headings

Education

Competencies (equipment, techniques and software)

Internships

Teaching Assistantships

Research Assistantships

Achievements

Service

Leadership

Conferences Attended

Conference Participation

Presentations and Publications

Honors and Awards

College Activities

Professional/Academic Organizations

Language Competencies

References

Sample cover letter

Write a cover letter for a position as either a laboratory research chemist or a high school Chemistry teacher.

View http://www.career.vt.edu/JOBSEARC/coversamples.htm for information on cover letters.

Documentation of all outcomes

In a table, list each of the outcomes listed in the AIL manual and describe the activities that have helped you achieve that outcome.  Give at least a descriptive title of the activity.