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Experiential Learning ELT
  1. Experiential Learning
  2. AIP
  3. AIP Checklists
  4. Faculty Advisors

Faculty Advisors

A faculty advisor is required for all students participating in an AIP internship as AIP is a Special Studies Course and is needed when completing a Learning Agreement.

Who can serve as a Faculty Advisor?

  • Faculty Advisors must have a current UC San Diego teaching appointment that aligns with the dates of the internship.
  • Faculty Advisors must have a Senate/ladder-rank appointment. Information can be found on the academic department's website or via the Faculty/Staff Directory. Faculty with Senate/ladder-rank appointment typically have one of the following title series:
    • Assistant Professor
    • Associate Professor
    • Professor
    • Teaching Professor
  • Non-Senate faculty covered by a union contract should consult with their hiring department regarding the process and approvals needed to volunteer for a Special Studies course before agreeing to serve as an AIP Faculty Advisor
    • It is recommended that faculty in this position not agree to serve as a Faculty Advisor given potential enrollment delays from the additional time required to approve such requests
  • Teaching Assistants (TA's) and staff may not serve as Faculty Advisors.

Responsibilities

  • Helps students choose a final deliverable related to the internship and helps them develop the deliverable throughout the quarter the internship spans.
  • Provides feedback on drafts and consultation during the writing process.
  • Evaluating the final deliverable/project and submitting a grade.

Time Commitment

The time commitment required for serving as an AIP faculty advisors varies based on the needs and expectations of the individual Instructor and student. However, feedback from past faculty advisors suggests a typical time commitment ranges from 5-10 hours over the quarter, from topic development to grading.

Students should meet with their Faculty Advisor at least three times per quarter. Meetings should ideally be in person or via video call. If a faculty advisor requires more frequent meetings, that should be communicated to the student and noted in the enrollment request.

Faculty Recognition

  • While AIP does not provide compensation for the faculty advisor role, but our team does notify department chairs of faculty serving in this role.
  • Beginning Winter 2021, individual sections of AIP 97/197 are created listing the faculty advisor as Instructor so this service is reflected in reports of faculty/department loads.  
  • Faculty are encouraged to include service as an AIP faculty advisor on their UCSD BioBib, and may contact AIP to request a list of students with whom they have worked.

AIP 97/197 Course Structure and Support

  • Internship Hours: Students are required to complete a minimum number of internship hours that aligns with the unit option they elect (2-12 units). Students track hours via a time log in AIP's InternLink database, and internship completion is confirmed with the internship site supervisor via a final evaluation collected by AIP staff. AIP will communicate hours and evaluation status to the faculty advisor at the end of the quarter.
  • Final Deliverable (Paper/Project): Students demonstrate their learning via a final paper or project developed under the guidance of the faculty advisor. The grade for the paper or project (P/NP) is decided by the faculty advisor.
  • Facilitated Reflection: AIP staff facilitate a reflection component of the internship course, including a mid-quarter meeting and an informational interview assignment. While not considered in the final grade, the incorporation of structured reflection aligns with best practices for experiential learning. Assignment details are communicated to students via an AIP 97/197 site in Canvas, and a general overview is found on our website.
  • AIP Counselors: Each student enrolled in AIP 97/197 is assigned to an AIP Counselor who serves as a general point person and liaison to the student, internship site, and faculty advisor. If questions or concerns arise over the course of the internship that you would like AIP's support in addressing, please contact us at aipinfo@ucsd.edu to be connected with your student's AIP Counselor.

Faculty with questions about serving as an AIP faculty advisor or supporting an AIP student with whom they are working may contact AIP's main office at aipinfo@ucsd.edu, or reach out to AIP Director Tricia Taylor Oliveira at ttaylor@ucsd.edu.