PORTFOLIO
The chemistry department faculty has decided to add a portfolio requirement for chemistry majors. Below is a Q&A that will provide some basics on the requirement.
Q: Why is the department adding a portfolio requirement?
A: The chemistry department is always trying to improve the quality of our instruction. Student portfolios provide us with evidence of the strengths of our curriculum in important areas, and evidence of things we need to improve. The portfolio also gives students an opportunity to reflect on the learning and growth they achieve from one year to the next.
Q: How much work do I need to do?
A: The portfolio content will come from existing coursework. There will be no new assignments for the portfolio. You will only need to collect the designated work from your courses in a binder that you keep until you graduate.
Q: What are the portfolio categories and why were they chosen?
A: The portfolio categories are speaking, writing, computer skills, problem solving, science literacy, and teamwork. The faculty believes that expertise in these areas is essential to become a successful scientist. You will not have portfolio items in each category for every course, but before you graduate, you will have several assignments in each category.
Q: What do I need to keep in my portfolio from each class?
A: A list of the portfolio content required for most classes is attached. Your professors will clarify during class what you need to keep.
Q: Do I need to go back and find portfolio content from classes I took in previous semesters?
A: No, you will start your portfolio this semester. But you need to keep content in your portfolio for all chemistry courses you take from this semester until you graduate.
Q: What should the portfolio look like?
A: Keep your portfolio content in one three-ring binder large enough to hold all the material. Divide the content by course.
Q: When will my portfolio be reviewed?
A: You will review your portfolio with your adviser during the spring, prior to registration for the following year. You will also review your portfolio as you get close to graduation with a faculty review committee.
Q: Is the portfolio graded?
A: You will not receive a formal grade for your portfolio, but the final portfolio review with the faculty committee will be a graduation requirement. Your adviser will also expect you to show an up-to-date portfolio during your spring advising session.
Q: When should I update my portfolio?
A: Add content to your portfolio as you generate it. If you wait until the end of the semester or the end of the year, it may be hard to find your work.
Q: Who should I talk to if I have more questions?
A: You can talk to Robert Jackson or your adviser. You can also talk to your professors.
Portfolio content for Chem 115A, General Chemistry, 1st semester
Category |
Content |
Speaking |
[POGIL workshops if you choose to participate] |
Writing |
Short paper (ex. bonds, heat, reaction types, exp scenario) |
Computer skills |
Density lab; Beer’s law lab |
Problem solving |
Post-lab: vinegar titration; Pre-lab: Beer’s Law; Gas lab |
Science literacy |
[none] |
Teamwork |
Zinc lab; Group discovery lab description |
Portfolio content for Chem 115B, General Chemistry, 2nd semester
Category |
Content |
Speaking |
[none] |
Writing |
Lab report from the free energy lab |
Computer skills |
Titration curve from the “The acid-base titration curve” lab report |
Problem solving |
a) Results from ACS general chemistry exam, b) Post-lab: kinetics lab |
Science literacy |
[none] |
Teamwork |
[none] |
Portfolio content for Chem 125A, Honors General Chemistry and Quantitative Analysis
Category |
Content |
Speaking |
Final Presentation |
Writing |
One of the three lab reports (your choice) |
Computer skills |
Titration curve and Excel spreadsheets for the buffer lab |
Problem solving |
One worksheet (your choice) |
Science literacy |
[none] |
Teamwork |
Final presentation group activity |
Portfolio content for Chem 255, Quantitative Analysis
Category |
Content |
Speaking |
Presentation on the final project |
Writing |
a) One of the short form lab reports, b) Formal report for final project |
Computer skills |
a) Statistics analysis, b) Beer’s law plots, c) Powerpoint presentations |
Problem solving |
a) Quantitative determination of unknown, b) Final exam |
Science literacy |
Research for the final project |
Teamwork |
[none] |
Portfolio content for Chem 335A, Organic Chemistry Lab, 1st semester
Category |
Content |
Speaking |
[none] |
Writing |
Lab reports (your choice) |
Computer skills |
[none] |
Problem solving |
[none] |
Science literacy |
[none] |
Teamwork |
Group project |
Portfolio content for Chem 335B, Organic Chemistry Lab, 2nd semester
Category |
Content |
Speaking |
[none] |
Writing |
[none] |
Computer skills |
[none] |
Problem solving |
1st exam and final exam |
Science literacy |
[none] |
Teamwork |
[none] |
Portfolio content for Chem 336, Organic Chemistry Lab II
Category |
Content |
Speaking |
[none] |
Writing |
Lab report for “Multi-Step Synthesis of Substituted Sulfanilamides” lab |
Computer skills |
[none] |
Problem solving |
Lab report for “Synthesis of Methyl Orange Diazonium Coupling Reactions” lab |
Science literacy |
[none] |
Teamwork |
[none] |
Portfolio content for Chem 310A Physical Chemistry, 1st semester
Category |
Content |
Speaking |
[none] |
Writing |
The best HW set by the student’s choice |
Computer skills |
a) Formula based spreadsheet work, b) Linear and non-linear regressions, c) Graphics, d) Numerical integration |
Problem solving |
a) First exam, in-class and closed book, b) Final exam, take home. |
Science literacy |
[none] |
Teamwork |
[none] |
Portfolio content for Chem 445, Structural Biochemistry
Category |
Content |
Speaking |
Group presentations |
Writing |
Short papers- bonds/thermo in biochem |
Computer skills |
[none] |
Problem solving |
Exam selection (free response); enzyme group assignment |
Science literacy |
Pick an experiment paper; Nature PodCast Papers |
Teamwork |
Multiple group assignments |
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