Thesis/Dissertation

Oral Defense Rubric

Student Name: _________________________________

Does not meet Partially meets

General Attribute Specific Element Meets expectations Exceeds expectations
expectations expectations
Organization Poorly organized Inconsistently organized Clearly organized Well organized
Inconsistent presentation
Presentation style Poor presentation Clear presentation Professional presentation
quality
Quality of
Communication
presentation Poor communication skills Limited communication skills Good communication skills Excellent communication skills
skills
Slides/handouts difficult to Slides/handouts of
Visuals Slides/handouts clear Slides/handouts outstanding
read inconsistent quality.
Does not meet
Quality of presentation overall assessment Partially meets expectations Meets expectations Exceeds expectations
expectations
Depth of knowledge Depth of knowledge
Depth of knowledge Depth of knowledge limited Depth of knowledge superior
unacceptable acceptable

Breadth of Breadth of knowledge Breadth of knowledge

Breadth of knowledge limited Breadth of knowledge superior
knowledge unacceptable acceptable

Presentation does not Presentation reveals Presentation reveals above

Presentation reveals well-
Cognitive Skills Critical thinking reflect well-developed minimal/limited critical average critical thinking
developed critical thinking skills
critical thinking skills thinking skills skills

Presentation reveals the Presentation reveals the ability

Presentation reveals a limited
Assimilation of Presentation is narrow in ability to draw from to interconnect and extend
ability to draw from knowledge
knowledge scope knowledge in several knowledge from multiple
in different disciplines
disciplines disciplines

Does not meet

Cognitive skills overall assessment Partially meets expectations Meets expectations Exceeds expectations
expectations
Responses are incomplete Responses satisfy questions
Completeness Responses are complete Responses are eloquent
or require prompting only minimally
Response to questions
Professionalism Responses are flustered or Only a portion of reponses are Responses are appropriate Responses are reflective of an
when challenged defensive of acceptable quality for a junior scientist experienced scientist

Does not meet

Response to questions overall assessment Partially meets expectations Meets expectations Exceeds expectations
expectations
Does not meet
Overall Defense Assessment Partially meets expectations Meets expectations Exceeds expectations
expectations
Comments:

Advisor Signature: _______________________________ Student Signature: _______________________________________