Started at the University of Queensland, the 3-minute thesis (3MT) is designed to cultivate students’ academic, presentation, and research communication skills. Presenting in a 3MT competition increases their capacity to effectively explain their research in just three minutes, in a way appropriate to a non-specialist audience.  This will be an outstanding showcase of the work done here in CBAS, both within our college and to a wider audience.

The 3MT@MT competition is limited to CBAS graduate students.  Awards will be provided to the 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd place presentations in both the MS and PhD divisions.  Research conducted as an undergraduate student is acceptable ONLY if the student is currently enrolled in a CBAS graduate program.  Submissions for the competition will be made using a video format.  The registration and video submission should be done using the form below.  Submissions are due by Monday, November 13, 2023 Monday, November 20, 2023 at 11:59 PM (EXTENDED DEADLINE).  Complete rules can be found below.   Winners will present their 3MT LIVE and all participants will be recognized during a short celebration on December 7^th at 3 pm in the new Concrete and Construction Management Building (SCCM Lobby and SCCM 105).

3MT@MT Registration/Submission  

3MT@MT Video Submissions

 

CBAS 3MT@MT Rules

• The CBAS 3MT@MT competition is open to any graduate student currently enrolled in the College of Basic and Applied Science at MTSU.   Participants should indicate on the submission form if they are enrolled in an MS or PhD program.
• Presentations are limited to 3 minutes and competitors exceeding 3 minutes are disqualified. 
• Presentations are considered to have commenced when a presenter starts their presentation through speech (timing does not include the 3MT title slide and commences from when the competitor starts speaking, not the start of the video) and end at the conclusion of speaking. 
• A single static slide is permitted in the presentation (no slide transitions, animations or ‘movement’ of any description). This slide can be visible continuously from the start of the video, or “cut to” from a blank background at any point. 
• The 3-minute recording must be continuous – no sound edits or breaks permitted. 
• No additional props (e.g. costumes, musical instruments, laboratory equipment and animated backgrounds) are permitted within the recording. 
• Presentations are to be spoken word (e.g. no poems, raps or songs) 
• No additional electronic media (e.g. sound and video files) are permitted within the video recording.  
• Submissions via video format only (see submission link for suggested file types).   We suggest the use of Zoom or other recording software that allows the slide to be visible with a small video of presenter in upper right corner.

CBAS 3MT@MT Evaluation

The decision of the judging panel is final. Judging criteria will be based on the rubric linked below and include:

 Comprehension and content

• Presentation provided clear background and significance to the research question
• Presentation clearly described the research strategy/design and the results/findings of the research
• Presentation clearly described the conclusions, outcomes and impact of the research

Engagement and communication

• The oration was delivered clearly, and the language was appropriate for a non-specialist audience
• The PowerPoint slide was well-defined and enhanced the presentation
• The presenter conveyed enthusiasm for their research and captured and maintained the audience’s attention

3MT@MT Rubric

It is our intention to showcase the outstanding research done here at MTSU by sharing these videos on our website and social media.  If you do not wish for your video to be shared, please indicate this on the submission form

Please contact Dr. Kevin Bicker with any questions at kevin.bicker@mtsu.edu.