Poster Session Guidelines

 

The Chemistry Research Complex consists of three buildings: Havemeyer (Central building), the Chandler labs (West wing), and Havemeyer extension (East wing).  Visiting the different floors will give you an idea of how to conceive your poster*.  Take a cyber tour to the research groups at the department web site before visiting the floors.

 

CONSTRUCTING:

1.     The poster must fit the provided board.

2.     Divide the poster into sections such as title, introduction, methods, results and conclusions.  Indicate by numbering or lettering the order in which these sections should be read; some people use arrows for this same purpose.

3.     Improve the graphic impact of the poster by mounting the sheets on colored construction paper.  However, keep in mind that simplicity and ease of reading are more important than artistic flamboyance.

4.     Choose a simple font such as Times New Roman, Palatino or Helvetica.

5.     Overuse of outlining and shadowing can be distracting.  Use a larger font size, bold or underline to make something stand out.

6.     The title should be in very large type, 84 pt or larger. Your names should also be noted in large type, consider 72 pt.

7.     Avoid photocopy enlargements.

8.     Text on panels should be between 18 and 24 pt to be legible.  Use double or 1.5 spacing.  Keep each panel relatively short (15 to 18 lines) and to the point.  Framing the text by putting a box around it will also help readers to focus.

9.     Whenever possible, use graphs, charts, tables, figures, pictures or lists instead of text to get your point across.

10.  Do not include references.

 

PRESENTING:

1.     Set up your poster an hour in advance.  Rehearse with your partners and develop a three-minute presentation.

2.     When someone approaches smile, say ÒHelloÓ, and introduce yourself.  Ask if theyÕd like you to walk them through the poster.

3.     Explain what you did, how you did it and your findings using your poster as guidance.  Avoid sounding as if you have memorized a script; be excited about your work.

4.     Address questions as appropriate.

 

*      Havemeyer: 1st floor: Brus and Flynn labs; 2nd floor NortonÕs lab, 4th floor: Danishefski lab, 5th floor: Valentini lab; 6th floor: Friesner, Pechukas, and Berne, and labs.

*      Chandler labs: 2nd floor: Katz and Sames labs; 3rd floor: Nakanishi lab; 5th floor: Breslow lab; 6th floor: Stork lab; 7th floor: Turro lab, 8th floor: Gibney and Adams labs, 9th floor: Leighton lab.

*      Havemeyer extension: 3rd. floor: McDermott lab; 4th floor: Parkin and Cornish labs, 5th floor: Nuckols labs, 6th floor: Eisenthal, and Adams lab.

 

References

Anholt, R.R.H.  1994.  Dazzle Ôem with Style:  The Art of Oral Scientific Presentation.  W.H. Freeman and Company, New York.

 

Davis, M.  1997. Scientific Papers and Presentations.  Academic Press, New York.

 

Day, R.A.  1998.  How to Write and Publish a Scientific Paper.  5th Edition, Oryx Press, Phoenix, Arizona.

 

Lienhart, K.W. 1994. How to Plan, Produce and Present a Scientific Poster.  A scholarly Communications Seminar, November 17, 1994, Office of Medical Education Research and Development, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824.

 

McMillan, V.E.   2001.  Writing Papers in the Biological Sciences.  3rd Edition. Bedford/St. MartinÕs, New York.