Three Minute Thesis (3MT)

Three Minute Thesis Rules

Permitted

• Spoken word
• Three minutes or less
• Movement/gestures
• Formal/professional clothing
• Commence from the stage
• A single static PowerPoint

Not Permitted (Will Disqualify)

• Poems, raps or songs
• Exceeding three minutes
• Props (pointers, instruments, lab equipment)
• Costumes
• Slide transitions, animations, sound, or video

Presentations commence when the presenter begins through movement or speech. The decision of the adjudicating panel is final.

Three Minute Thesis Judging

The Panel

Each competitor will be assessed by three to five judges balanced by age, gender, academic/professional positions, and discipline. Judges may not participate in scoring for one of the heats when there is a conflict of interest, including 1) knowing one of the competitors, or, 2) having expertise in one of the presented topics

Judging Criteria

Comprehension and Content

Did the presenter:

• Provide an understanding of the background to the research and its significance?
• Clearly describe the key results of the research including conclusions and outcomes?
• Follow a clear and logical sequence?
• Communicate in language appropriate to a non-specialist audience (for thesis topic, key results and research significance and outcomes)?
• Avoid jargon, explain terminology, and provide adequate background info to illustrate points?
• Spend adequate time on each presentation element - or was it too long on one aspect or was it rushed?

Engagement and Communication

Did the presenter:

• Make the audience want to know more?
• Take care not to trivialize or generalize their research?
• Convey enthusiasm for their research?
• Capture and maintain their audience’s attention?
• Have sufficient stage presence, eye contact and vocal range; maintain a steady pace, and have a confident stance?
• Have a slide that enhanced the presentation – was it clear, legible, and concise?

2020 Competitors

• Loren Been, Music
• Marie Bergelin, Geology/Geological Engineering - 2ND PLACE
• Brittney Christy, English - FINALIST
• Andrew Kohler, Chemical Engineering - FINALIST
• Kaela Lucke, Atmospheric Sciences
• Anjo Mate, Civil Engineering
• Robeam Melaku, Civil Engineering
• Joshua Oluwayomi, Petroleum Engineering - FINALIST
• Edirisuriya Siriwardane, Physics/Astrophysics - FINALIST
• Melissa Sisson, Biology
• Mona Sohrabi Thompson, Biomedical Sciences - 1ST PLACE & PEOPLE'S CHOICE
• Xincheng Wan, Petroleum Engineering
• Jeffrey Widner, Social Work

2019 Competitors

• Adedoyin Adeyilola, Geology/Geological Engineering.
• Karthik Balaji, Petroleum Engineering
• Marie Bergelin, Geology/Geological Engineering
• Jeremy Lewis, Chemical Engineering.
• Johannes Van der Watt, Chemical Engineering.
• Furkan Altincicek, Physics/Astrophysics
• Sayantani Ghosh Dastidar, Biomedical Sciences
• Pragalv Karki, Physics/Astrophysics
• Natalie Midzak, Atmospheric Sciences - 2ND PLACE
• Brian Teske, Aerospace Sciences
• Srikanth Vijjamarri, Chemistry
• Mark Williamson, Biology - 1ST PLACE & PEOPLE'S CHOICE
• Olga Abramova, English
• Zsofia Barandi, Accounting
• Renee Colsch, Nursing
• Emily Dougherty, Higher Education
• Jeremy O’Keefe, Physical Therapy
• Haseon Park, Communication
• Debra Radi, Higher Education
• Kristina Syversen, Education Foundations & Research.
• Ian Watson, Public Health

2018 Competitors

• Peter Brandt, Geography
• Lauren Clarke, Chemical Engineering - FINALIST
• Ian Foerster, Chemical Engineering - 1ST PLACE & PEOPLE'S CHOICE
• Peter Halcrow, Biomedical Sciences
• Catherine Kohs, English
• Ning Li, Earth Systems Science and Policy
• Chris Mark, Experimental Psychology - FINALIST
• Ryan Menath, History - 2ND PLACE
• Kayla Michelson, Biology
• Intisar Rizwanihaque, Biomedical Engineering
• Afshin Shabani, Earth Systems Science and Policy
• Muneer Shaik, Chemistry
• Madina Sultanova, Physics and Astrophysics - FINALIST
• Trevor Waagen, Counseling program - FINALIST
• Susanne Watts, History
• Paul Wren, Space Studies - FINALIST
• Jin Zhang, Geology and Geological Engineering - FINALIST

2017 Competitors

• David Apostal, Computer Science
• Kristen Black, Biology
• Carolyn Broner, Special Education
• Nick Cilz, Biomedical Sciences
• Lauren Clark, Chemical Engineering
• Sara Faraji Jalal Apostal, Computer Science
• Matt Fuka, Mechanical Engineering
• Brooke Hagenhoff, Atmospheric Sciences
• Laurie Johansen, Nursing
• Ted Krmpotich, Clinical Psychology
• Rain Li, Chemistry
• Kouqi Liu, Petroleum Engineering
• Kavya Manyapu, Space Studies
• Sean McCloat, Space Studies
• Talus McCowan, Biomedical Sciences
• Riley McGlynn, Biology
• Robeam Melaku, Civil Engineering
• Adnan Quadri, Electrical Engineering
• Mohsen Riahimanesh, Electrical Engineering
• Roy Roach, Higher Ed
• Charles Schneider, Biomedical Engineering
• Reem Shadid,Biomedical Engineering
• Bahareh Shoghli, Civil Engineering
• Bridget Tetteh-Batsa, English
• Hannes van der Watt, Chemical Engineering

Scholarships

$500 | First Place

In addition, this year’s overall winner (first place) will continue on to the regional competition hosted by the Western Association of Graduate Schools’ annual meeting held this year in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

"2020 Vision: Seeing Graduate Education Clearly"
61^th Annual WAGS Meeting
March 8–11, 2020
Albuquerque, New Mexico

$250 | Second Place

$100 | People’s Choice

2020 Schedule

*Schedule subject to change up to the day prior to the event

9:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. - Program Check-In. Light Refreshments Served.

10:00 a.m. to 11 a.m. - Preliminary Round 1 (Science and Fine Arts) - arrive by 9:45 a.m.

11:00 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. - Break

11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. - Preliminary Round 2 (Engineering and Humanities) - arrive by 11:00 a.m.

12:15 p.m. to 1:45 p.m. - Break 

2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. - Final Competition

3:00 p.m. - Awards Ceremony; Reception to Follow

Guests are invited to attend all or parts of the program as their schedules allow. 

Please arrive at least 10-15 minutes before each round to check-in and get seated for the event.