IAS Degree Portfolio

Getting Started

Tanya Augsburg. “Portfolios for Interdisciplinary Studies Students” in Becoming Interdisciplinary: An Introduction to Interdisciplinary Studies, Second Edition. Dubuque, IA: Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company, 2006. 129-142. [Accessible PDF]

General Overview

All students in Interdisciplinary Arts & Sciences build a learning and professional portfolio as part of the core curriculum. The portfolio process helps students to become self-directed and self-motivated learners during their time at UW Bothell. It encourages students to reflect on what they have learned and done, the connections they have made among courses and assignments, and how their academic accomplishments can contribute to their future goals. IAS portfolios are built through Google Sites or a web platform of their choice.

The portfolio process begins when students take BIS 300 Interdisciplinary Inquiry. In BIS 300, students are introduced to the five core IAS learning objectives and complete a course portfolio that models and launches a process that culminates in the IAS Capstone Portfolio. Other Interdisciplinary Arts & Sciences (IAS) courses offer opportunities for students to assess their learning and develop their portfolios. After the completion of each quarter, students should archive all of their work on their google drive. Students will also benefit greatly from taking the 2-credit course, BIS 399 Portfolio Reflection, at a midpoint in their degree.

All of the undergraduate degrees housed in IAS conclude with BIS 499 Portfolio Capstone. Taken within the student’s final two quarters, this 5-credit course allows students to complete their undergraduate Capstone Portfolio. These portfolios include framing essays and evidence of learning based in work completed during the degree. The portfolio provides the capstone to students’ learning in IAS, while also preparing them to communicate persuasively about their learning and abilities with future audiences of potential employers, friends and family, or graduate school admissions committees.

Note: Students admitted to an IAS degree program prior to Autumn 2010 may complete BES 464, BIS 403, BIS 490, or BIS 492 in the place of BIS 499 Portfolio Capstone. If you choose this option, you will create your IAS Capstone Portfolio in that course.

IAS Portfolio Examples

IAS Capstone Portfolios vary since they reflect the accomplishments and ambitions of different students. You will find below a few examples of recent degree portfolios. You may need to log in with UW ID to view these samples.

  • Katie Medalia, 2021, MCS: Medalia’s capstone presentation and essay reflect back on their academic journey through the Media & Communications Studies major and how the main learning objectives of IAS will continue to guide them as they continue their professional career. 
  • Krisna Bour, 2020, IA: Finding creativity in varying forms and unexpected places is a topic that Bour explores in their reflection on their love of art and time at UWB.
  • Julia Vogel, 2020, GST/CP: In a letter addressed to their future self, Vogel examines the main skills that they gained while studying in IAS.
  • Jisoo Choi, 2020, SEB: Choi’s portfolio highlights how their academic studies have shaped their perspective on themselves and taught them to value the perspectives of others.  
  • Julia Schoen, 2019, GWSS/MCS: In this portfolio Schoen reflects on how double majoring allowed them to focus on concepts of visual communication, and social and political justice as well as the importance of authentic representation.
  • Sovannarith Khem, 2019, IA: This portfolio showcases Khem’s passion for visual communication through digital media with a focus on minority representation.  
  • Long In Fong, 2019, Media & Communication Studies: With an archive of media work via the Adobe Spark, Fong illustrates how his passion and skills in photography and video production advanced during his time at IAS. 
  • Korey Hawkins, 2019, Community Psychology: Using a google site, Hawkins shares how his academic work has helped gain expertise in the Community Psychology major area and apply the knowledge & skills into solving the real world problems.

Non-textual assignments can be difficult to retain, but they can be extremely valuable. Students may be able to have Campus Media videotape their performance and request a copy. Other students may take digital photos of a group poster or installation. Assignments on web discussion boards and other web-based media should be archived before the course ends.

IAS Portfolio Process

  1. Students are introduced to the IAS Portfolio in BIS 300 Interdisciplinary Inquiry
  2. Students have the opportunity to develop their portfolios further in BIS 399 Portfolio Reflection
    • Quarterly Student Self-Assessment (QSSA) *Word Document
  3. IAS Portfolios will be completed by students in their last quarters at UW Bothell in the BIS 499 Portfolio Capstone course

E-Portfolio Support

Need help designing your E-Portfolio?

Contact the Writing & Communication Center (WaCC) tutors for assistance.

Need technical support in creating your E-Portfolio?

Get help from a student tutor in the Open Learning Lab in UW2-140.