If you are a Microbiology student in SIWES and you are confused about what to write in your logbook, you are not alone. Your logbook is an official record that shows your school and industrial supervisor exactly what you learned, observed and practiced each day. A well written logbook boosts your final grade and reflects your professionalism.

This guide explains what to write, how to write it, and includes real examples for your first two weeks.

What to Fill in the Front Pages

If this is your first time opening your logbook, here is the information you need to fill in the early few pages.

Student Information

• Include your name, matric number, department, institution, level, and session.

Organization Information

• Include the lab or facility name, address, supervising microbiologist, phone number, and email.

Training Duration

• Record your start and end dates.

Supervisor Signatures

• Ensure your industry and school supervisors sign at the required times.

What Your Microbiology Logbook Should Contain

Every daily entry should cover the following:

• Day and date
• Tasks you observed or performed
• Equipment and materials used
• Reagents or chemicals involved
• Techniques applied
• What you learned
• Signature space for your supervisor at the end of the week

Avoid vague statements like "did lab work". Instead, be clear and specific, for example:

• “Prepared nutrient agar for bacterial culturing.”
• “Performed Gram staining and observed cocci under the microscope.”
• “Assisted in receiving blood samples and labeling collection bottles.”

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Tips for Writing a Good SIWES Logbook

Here are practices that match school expectations across Nigeria:

1. Write in past tense

Examples:

• “I observed…”
• “I assisted in…”
• “I participated in…”

2. Be specific

Mention the test or procedure.
For example:

• PCV
• Gram staining
• Widal
• Urine MCS
• Blood grouping
• Culture and sensitivity
• Microscopy of stool or sputum

3. Mention equipment

Examples include:

• Microscope
• Autoclave
• Centrifuge
• Incubator
• Spectrophotometer
• Pipettes
• Petri dishes

4. Mention reagents where applicable

Examples:

• Crystal violet
• Safranin
• Normal saline
• Antisera
• Culture media like MacConkey agar or nutrient agar

5. Keep a jotter

Write rough notes daily, then transfer the clean version into the logbook neatly.

6. Get weekly signatures

Your supervisor should sign at the end of every week.

7. Add drawings when possible

Sketch items like a microscope, autoclave, Gram stain setup or culture plate layout.

Tips for diagrams:

• Use pencil, not pen or biro, so errors can be corrected.
• Label all parts clearly (e.g., bacterial colonies, culture plates, slides).
• Draw diagrams only when necessary – such as Gram staining results or microbial arrangements.
• Keep diagrams simple and readable – accuracy matters more than artistry.
• Include a brief caption describing the diagram, e.g., “Gram-positive cocci observed under 100x oil immersion.”

An image of a microscope structure, a student can draw in their SIWES logbook

Sample SIWES Logbook Entries for Microbiology Students

These examples assume you were posted to a diagnostic or medical laboratory.

Week 1: Orientation and Introduction to Microbiology Laboratory

Week 2: Sample Handling, Media Preparation and Basic Techniques

Common Microbiology Tests and Procedures You Can Mention

Quick Writing Formula for Each Day

Here is an easy structure you can follow:

1. Start with what you observed

2. State what you assisted in or performed

3. Mention materials or equipment used

4. State what you learned

Example:

“I observed the preparation of nutrient agar and assisted in pouring the media into sterile Petri dishes. I used a hot plate, conical flask, pipettes and the autoclave. I learned how to maintain aseptic conditions during media preparation.”

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An image showing 3 weeks of logbook entries generated by MonoEd SIWES Logbook Generator