1. Time-Travel Using Spatially-Variant Temporal Metamaterials
Ph.D. Candidate
John A. Doe
Academic Advisor
Dr. Raymond C. Rumpf

2. Outline Introduction Background Research Summary Conclusion
Problem statement, relevance, and novelty of the research.
Background
Preliminary topics and discussion of state-of-the-art.
Research Summary
Scope and objectives, research methods, and results.
Conclusion
Summary, future work, and acknowledgements.
List of publications, posters, and presentations.
11/18/2018
Ph.D. Defense

3. Pioneering 21st Century Electromagnetics and Photonics
Introduction

4. Topic of Dissertation What problem did you study/solve?
State your hypothesis.
Showcase your results.
(1 slide)
11/18/2018
Ph.D. Defense

5. Significance of the Research
Why is your research important?
Who will it help?
Why is it difficult and PhD worthy?
What is the impact if you are successful?
(1 or 2 slides)
11/18/2018
Ph.D. Defense

6. Research Summary How did you solve the problem?
Why is this solution novel and Ph.D. worthy?
Provide an “eye-candy” picture of your results.
(1 or 2 slides)
11/18/2018
Ph.D. Defense

7. Scientific Contributions
Bullet list
List every Ph.D. level contribution that is your own.
11/18/2018
Ph.D. Defense

8. Pioneering 21st Century Electromagnetics and Photonics
Background

9. [Topic #1]
Provide summaries of any background topics a person will need to know in order to understand your research.
Assume the person is technical, but not trained in your field.
(1 or 2 slides per topic)
11/18/2018
Ph.D. Defense

10. State-of-the-Art
Outline the history of research in your topic area by other people.
Explain the state-of-the-art in your topic area.
You do not have to get into your own research here, just prior history and background.
(1 to 3 three slides)
11/18/2018
Ph.D. Defense

11. Pioneering 21st Century Electromagnetics and Photonics
Research Summary

12. Outline of This Section
Scope and Objectives (1 slide)
Purpose, methods, target results and metrics, fundamental questions to be answered.
What did you do? What didn’t you do?
Research Methods (1 slide per method)
Programs and algorithms, test fixtures, procedures, etc.
Summarize Procedures, Experiments, Results, Etc.
Tell a story here. Walk the audience through the story of your research.
Answer what you did, why did it, and the results.
Summary all important intermediate results and the final results
11/18/2018
Ph.D. Defense

13. Be Sure to… Make slides clear, simple, and use large fonts.
Your dissertation contains the details.
Cite your publications and other papers that justify your approach
Use tables and figures to summarize large sets of information or data
Call attention to significant achievements or failures
Be honest and complete about strengths, weaknesses, and limitations of your work.
Remember that you are the focus of your presentation, not the slides.
11/18/2018
Ph.D. Defense

14. Pioneering 21st Century Electromagnetics and Photonics
Conclusion

15. Summary State your research topic/hypothesis
Highlight the significance and novelty
Summarize your results
Bullet list
11/18/2018
Ph.D. Defense

16. Future Work
If you were to continue with this research past your Ph.D.,
or if somebody else were to continue your work…
What are the next steps?
What other research is enabled?
What could this research look like in the distant future?
Any recommendations?
(1 slide)
11/18/2018
Ph.D. Defense

17. Acknowledgments
Acknowledge anyone or anything that contributed financially or technically to your research.
Thank your significant other, family and the committee!
If you are married, gush over your spouse.
(1 slide)
11/18/2018
Ph.D. Defense

18. Publications, Posters, and Presentations
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List all of your publications, posters, and presentations including published, pending, or in progress. This includes publications that may be outside of your research topic.
Do not include any future publications, posters, or presentations.
11/18/2018
Ph.D. Defense

19. References
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References can be provided on the same slide as the reference materials.
As an alternative to save room in your slides, you can list all references at the end instead.
11/18/2018
Ph.D. Defense

20. Pioneering 21st Century Electromagnetics and Photonics
Back Up Slides

21. [Topic #1]
Anticipate potential questions or having to further justify an approach or conclusion that you made.
Include whatever additional slides you may think you will need to address questions and concerns like this.
DO NOT INCLUDE THESE SLIDES AS PART OF YOUR STANDARD PRESENTATION. THESE ARE ONLY HERE “JUST IN CASE.”
11/18/2018
Ph.D. Defense