Three-Minute Thesis Details

Announcing The University of Southern Mississippi's 6th Annual Three-Minute Thesis Competition

Our 6th Annual Three-Minute Thesis will be taking place November 6-8, 2019 in The Thad Cochran Center, Room 216.

ELIGIBILITY

Any active master’s, specialist’s or doctoral student who has not graduated prior to fall 2019 can participate.

CATEGORIES
During the preliminary competitions on November 6th and 7th from 2-5 p.m., students will compete in one of the following four categories:

• Physical Sciences and Math
• Social and Educational Sciences and Business
• Arts and Humanities
• Life, Health and Environmental Sciences

Four master’s/specialist’s and four doctoral students will be selected from each category. Those eight finalists will compete in the finals competition on November 8, from 2-4 p.m. A Grand Champion, Runner-Up and People’s Choice winner will be selected. (The Graduate School reserves the right to combine categories at its discretion.)

The Grand Champion will compete in the Conference of Southern Graduate Schools (CSGS) regional Three Minute Thesis competition on March 5-7, 2020 in Birmingham, AL. All expenses will be paid for travel, meals and lodging to attend the CSGS competition.

PRIZES

• Grand Champion - $1,000
• Runner-Up - $750
• People’s Choice Award - $500
• Each of the Eight Category Winners - $250

 

RULES

• The presentation must describe current research. Research for which a degree was previously awarded or which was done at another institution is not allowed.
• A single (8 1/2" x 14” landscape) static PowerPoint slide is required (no slide transitions, animations or “movement” of any description, the slide is to be presented from the beginning of the oration).
• No additional electronic media (e.g. sound and video files) are permitted.
• No additional props (e.g. pointers, note cards, costumes, musical instruments, laboratory equipment) are permitted.
• Presentations are limited to three minutes maximum, and competitors exceeding three minutes are disqualified.
• Presentations are to be spoken word (e.g. no poems, raps or songs).
• Presentations are considered to have commenced when the presenter starts their presentation through movement or speech.
• The decision of the judges is final.
• You must be there the entire time. There will not be a set time for your presentation.

 

JUDGING CRITERIA

Comprehension and Content

• Did the presentation provide an understanding of the background to the research question being addressed and its significance?
• Did the presentation clearly describe the key results of the research including conclusions and outcomes?
• Did the presentation follow a clear and logical sequence?
• Were the thesis topic, key results, and research significance and outcomes communicated in language appropriate to a non-specialist audience?
• Did the speaker avoid scientific jargon, explain terminology and provide adequate background information to illustrate points?
• Did the presenter spend adequate time on each element of his/her presentation - or did the presenter elaborate for too long on one aspect or was the presentation rushed?

 

Engagement and Communication

• Did the oration make the audience want to know more?
• Was the presenter careful not to trivialize or generalize their research?
• Did the presenter convey enthusiasm for the research?
• Did the presenter capture and maintain the audience's attention?
• Did the speaker have sufficient stage presence, eye contact and vocal range; maintain a steady pace, and have a confident stance?
• Did the PowerPoint slide enhance the presentation - was it clear, legible, and concise?

 

 

 The Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) is an academic research communication competition developed by The University of Queensland (UQ), Australia.