Graduate Thesis Defense Preparation Guide
Prepare effectively for your graduate thesis defense by following best practices, answering questions confidently, and understanding typical queries from scientists. Utilize resources for writing support, formatting review, and presentation tips to ensure a successful defense.
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Best Practices Before the Defense Practice your presentation with your research group (include having them ask questions and giving feedback) Practice answering questions you DON T know the answer to. This is a professional discussion that sometimes gets off-topic. Invite family, friends, and lab mates to attend your defense and support you! You should seek writing support and guidance - See Graduate Writing Resources page. When you send your finalized manuscript to your committee, also submit it for Preliminary Review to the Thesis Office to begin formatting review (formatting issues are the biggest slowdown and cause for delayed graduation after the defense, so start now!) Grad. Research Eng. Writing (GREW) Need help with the big picture and how to organize your writing? It is strongly recommended that you review Dr. Funai s comprehensive dissertation prep resources and/or schedule time to meet with her! Grammarly eTutoring and Online Writing Center Submit your work online at any stage of the drafting process and receive feedback within approx. 48 hours If you have already used Grammarly, start now! It is a requirement by the Thesis Office that you have used it in order to have your written manuscript approved! During the Defense Students should plan on presenting 30-45 mins. Public and private Q&A taking up the remainder of the time. You should schedule 2 hours, if possible, for the defense.
How to Answer Questions Listen to the whole question. Do not half-listen while forming your answer. Rephrase the question. Makes sure you heard question correctly. Makes sure you understand the question. Gives you opportunity to reframe the question. Answer question honestly. If you aren t sure, make sure when you are speculating and explain why you think that. End answer on a positive note toward the contribution of your work and it s importance.
Typical Questions from Scientists Why have you chosen this method rather than others? Why are you doing this research? What is its expected impact? What in your contribution can be used concretely and immediately? Why have you decided to tackle this problem? What is novel in your presentation? What will you tackle next?
Full Title of Work Student Name Master s Thesis / PhD Dissertation Defense January 1, 2025 Committee: Committee Chair Member 2 Member 3 Member 4 PhD Only Member 5 PhD Only
Introduction of the Research Topic What is the Big Picture Problem? Give a brief background of the research area Identify and explain to the audience what is the problem in this research area you are looking to address Plan to spend approx. 3 minutes on this slide/topic.
Originality / Value Explain the novelty of your work: What has everyone already done to fix Big Picture Problem? How are you using what they ve done or improving it? Plan to spend 3-5 minutes on this slide/topic.
Contributions Overview This exact wording should be in your PowerPoint and in your paper! The contributions of this thesis are: 1. Contribution 2. Additional Contribution 3. Additional Contribution This section/slide should outline 1-3 (or even more!) new ideas that come from your work. Discuss with your faculty advisor Plan to spend 1-2 minutes on this slide/topic. You will go in-depth on the following slides.
Set of Slides for Contributions This begins the set of slides for each contribution. At least 1 separate slide for each contribution. Good to include references to prior material (yours and others) as needed in the slides Plan to spend approx. 5 minutes on each contribution (less time for more contributions, more time if you only have 1-2 contributions)
Published/Submitted Publications, Conferences, etc. MS thesis typically includes 1 journal publication submitted PhD thesis typically includes 1 journal publication accepted and at least 2+ submitted Although these are typical, they are not the rule. This must be discussed with faculty advisor and committee. Super brief! Plan to spend approx. 30 seconds showing the slide.
Conclusion Contributions Repeated The contributions of this thesis are: 1. Contribution 2. Additional Contribution 3. Additional Contribution Plan to spend 1-2 minutes on this slide/topic.
Additional Slides The presentation may only last 45 mins. but you have spent 4+ years with this material and could certainly share much more! Be prepared with additional slides with more information, charts, data, visual aides etc. at the end of your presentation with more information/background. These will be useful if/when you are asked by your committee to go even more in-depth and provide further clarification.
