The UC PFF offers courses, workshops, reading groups, some special events and the Mentorship Experience, a hands-on teaching experience under the guidance of an outstanding teaching mentor.  You may participate in as many or as few of these PFF activities as you wish, and may be involved at any time throughout your graduate career. 

The PFF Courses:

• Effective Teaching (15-MLTI-841-001), three graduate credits, Fall or Spring quarter. Covers the theory and practice of effective, learning-focused teaching at the college level, including  how to establish student learning goals, develop a syllabus,  use diverse approaches to teaching, and assess student learning.  All participants will develop an electronic teaching portfolio.    Course Director:  Pamela Baker.   (syllabus).
• The Academic Job Search Process (15-MLTI-842-001), two graduate credits, Winter quarter.  This course offers a broad, diverse view of the academic job market, including the different kinds of institutions (from community college to research university) and the implications of those market segments for faculty careers. The course also offers practical insights into and guidance for assessing job openings, applying for jobs, and interviewing.    Course Director:  John Bryan.  (syllabus)



Reading Groups and Workshops:

• Effective Teaching Workshops are offered by the Graduate School and the Center for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning (CET&L).
• Reading Groups are scheduled at intervals throughout the academic year.   



Mentoring Experience:

• Mentoring Experience at one of the four Collaborating Cluster Institutions, is a vital, hands-on opportunity to meet with faculty at institutions other than UC, and to learn of faculty expectations in teaching, research, and service at different kinds of institutions.

   

  The PFF Certificate

  If you complete the events listed below, you will receive a PFF Certificate, a nationally-recognized credential that will be listed on your transcript. 
• Completing both PFF courses
• Publishing your own online professional portfolio, which is prepared as part of the two PFF courses
• Attending five workshops
• Attending three Reading Groups.  For one of the three, you must serve as a co-leader of the discussion.
• Completing the 40-hour Mentoring Experience, including developing a plan for the experience in conjunction with your Mentor and completing a final report describing your experience.

Discipline-Specific Training

Engineering PFF:  The Engineering PFF Program, run by Dr. Carla Purdy, offers courses, reading groups, and Mentorship opportunities. The Engineering PFF does not offer a certificate, but the Engineering components count towards the certificate offered by the overall UC PFF Program
Biological Sciences: Dr. Brian Kinkle organizes brown-bag lunch sessions that focus on teaching skills and professional development.