Formal Report

Laboratory Performance

100
15

Properly protected themselves and others against health hazards, and followed all safety regulations found in the Lab Handbook. Kept the lab clean, and
did not damage or endanger equipment; shutdown experiments properly and on time.
Displayed competency in the laboratory procedures needed to obtain useful, accurate, and precise measurements. Used time wisely.

60

Maintained a lab book in a manner acceptable in industry. Pages were numbered, signed, witnessed, and dated. Notes could be used by a colleague to
repeat their work.

20

Draft: Introduction & Theory

Engineering score, based on the Theory and Introduction requirements of this rubric.

Abstract & Executive Summary

20

5
100

Both concisely and clearly states all project objectives.

20

Both briefly and accurately explain the vital experimental procedures and pieces of equipment used.

25

Both clearly summarize important findings relevant to the objectives. Mention and describe important unexpected discoveries, not part of the original
objectives.
Both give resonable conclusions. Executive summary concisely states thoughtful recommendations of the project.

30
25

Introduction
Begins by explaining why the general area of research is important to chemical engineering industry and describes the current state of the research area.
Shows student has adequately researched the literature; text contains multiple appropriate citations.
Clearly states all project objectives in a manner understandable to a nonexpert. Ends by briefly stating the procedures used to address objectives.

Theory
Demonstrates the author understands and has reviewed the relevant background and methods in the literature. An appropriate theoretical approach was
used with proper citations given.
Contains all the valid equations needed to create the reported results, with all important theoretical assumptions stated.
All symbols are accurately defined in the text as equations are introduced, as well as in the table of nomenclature.

Apparatus & Procedure

Each chemical and piece of equipment used is described in such detail that a chemical engineering student at another university could obtain the same
materials and conduct the same experiments years later.
Description of what the team did is detailed enough so that a chemical engineering student at another university could repeat the experiments. Rational is
given behind choosing the experimental approach, over other obvious alternatives. Obvious details are omitted.
Methods show effective, insightful, and efficient experimental design.

Results & Discussion

Data presented are meaningful to project objectives and are associated in the text with both reasonable statements of fact about the data and speculation
on the reasons behind trends. Descriptive statements are clearly distinguishable from speculation.
Data are correctly analyzed and reasonably discussed, in a manner consistent with the Theory section and basic principles of chemical engineering.
Appropriate methods of error analysis have clearly been used. Data are compared to model predictions / literature values.
All data are presented with appropriate units, significant figures, and indication of confidence intervals and levels.
It is made clear which equations in the Theory section were used to calculate every result given in this section.

Conclusions & Recommendations

10
70
30

10
35
40
25

12
33
34
33

18
20
40
30
10

The entire project is concisely summarized.

20

For every objective a conclusion is given that is reasonably supported by the data, or a reasonable explanation is given as to why a conclusion could not
be obtained. Important unexpected discoveries that were not a part of the original objectives are described.
Insightful, sound, and useful recommendations for future work are given.

50
30

Tables of Reference & Appendixes

Table of Contents, Figures, and Tables: Correct page numbers; all figures, tables and sections listed; titles the same as they are in the text.
Table of Nomenclature: All symbols used are listed in proper order, briefly described, and listed with the associated units.

8
5
5

References: All references used in the text are listed in an appropriate order and style. All the needed information is accurately included.

15

Appendix, Raw Data: Raw data is provided in either tabular form or as attached digital media. Units & uncertainties are made clear in the text.

10

Appendix, Calibrations: Calibration data are presented in such a way that the quality of the resulting data may be clearly judged.

10

Appendix, Equipment and Materials: Detailed information about each important piece of equipment and chemical used is given.

10

Appendix, Sample Calculation: Enough information given so that a chemical engineering student at another university could easily check the calculations
used to obtain type of data reported in the text.
Appendix, Error Analysis: All independently measured experimental quantities are listed and assigned an appropriate uncertainty. Error propagation is
performed and described, and the principle sources of error in the experiments are clearly identified.
Appendix, Problem Statement: The original, unaltered problem statement for this project is included.

Format, Language & Appearance

Figures convey information efficiently, accurately, and aesthetically. Fonts are of appropriate size. Figures are titled, and captions are positioned
correctly and are sufficiently descriptive.
Tables are neat, and as compact as possible while still conveying useful information. Tables are titled, and captions are positioned correctly and are
sufficiently descriptive.
Proper style, grammar, and spelling.

Bonus Points
Bonus points may be awarded for extraordinary, skillful, and insightful effort in reaching and going beyond project objectives.

Penalty
Late penalties are 10 percent of possible total points for the first day late (or fraction thereof), and 2 percent of possible for each subsequent day. Late
reports will not be eligible for bonus points.
Penalties due to ethical violations (outlined in the student code), also including willful negligence of EHS concerns within the laboratory. They may range
from any percentage of the project score to failure of the class.

17
23
5

10
30
20
50

10
100

100
100
100

Memo Report
Laboratory Performance.
Properly protected themselves and others against health hazards, and followed all safety regulations found in the Lab Handbook. Kept
the lab clean, and did not damage or endanger equipment; shutdown experiments properly and on time.
Displayed competency in the laboratory procedures needed to obtain useful, accurate, and precise measurements. Used time wisely.
Maintained a lab book in a manner acceptable in industry. Pages were numbered, signed, witnessed, and dated. Notes could be used by
a colleague to repeat their work.

Overview
Concisely state all of the objectives of the project.
Concisely summarizes the results of the research. Mentions important unexpected discoveries that were not part of the original
objectives.summarizes clear and useful recommendations and conclusions of the project with respect to each objective.
Concisely

Apparatus & Proceedure

Enough information is given about each piece of equipment used (i.e. thermocouples, chemicals, etc.) so that the student working five
years from now could purchase the same equipment (excluding unit ops equipment)
Gives a brief description of important experimental procedures, especially innovative techniques, and problems encountered.
Methods show effective, insightful, and efficient experimental design.

Results & Discussion

Data presented are meaningful to project objectives and are associated in the text with both reasonable statements of fact about the data
and speculation on the reasons behind trends. Descriptive statements are clearly distinguishable from speculation.
Data are correctly analyzed and reasonably discussed, in a manner consistent with the Theory section and basic principles of chemical
engineering. Appropriate methods of error analysis have clearly been used. Data are compared to model predictions / literature values.
All data are presented with appropriate units, significant figures, and indication of confidence intervals and levels.

Conclusions & Recommendations

The entire project is concisely summarized.
For every objective a conclusion is given that is reasonably supported by the data, or a reasonable explanation is given as to why a
conclusion could not be obtained. Important unexpected discoveries that were not a part of the original objectives are described.
Insightful, sound, and useful recommendations for future work are given.

Format, Language & Appearance

Figures convey information efficiently, accurately, and aesthetically. Fonts are of appropriate size. Figures are titled, and captions are
positioned correctly and are sufficiently descriptive.
Tables are neat, and as compact as possible while still conveying useful information. Tables are titled, and captions are positioned
correctly and are sufficiently descriptive.
Proper style, grammar, and spelling.

Bonus Points
Bonus points may be awarded for extraordinary, skillful and insightful effort in reaching and going beyond project objectives.

Penalties
Late penalties are 10 percent of possible total points for the first day late (or fraction thereof), and 2 percent of possible for each
subsequent day. Late reports will not be eligible for bonus points.
Penalties due to ethical violations (outlined in the student code), also including willful negligence of EHS concerns within the
laboratory. They may range from any percentage of the project score to failure of the class.

100
15
60
20
20

15
20
40
40

20
40
40
20

25
30
40
30

10
20
50
30

15
30
20
50

10
100

100
100
100

Presenter name: ___________________________________________

13%

15%

20%

12%
15%
15%
10%

100%

Your Name: ________________________

Presenter name: ___________________________________________

Your Name: __________________________________
PRESENTATION ASPECT & YOUR COMMENTS
Introduction: Effective title and attention getter, clearly stated central idea, established interest, topic's background,
and presenters credibility, identifies purpose, citations given for introductory material.
Structure and Organization: Well developed main points, persuasive supporting material, the ideas were ordered
logically and effectively, kept within the time constraints.
Ethical Implications: Accurately and clearly articulated implications and scope. Clearly defined ethical dilemmas,
and made a strong argument for some particular solution, while presenting an adequate and reasonable
Conclusion: Reasonably described the possible the future of this topic; restated central idea; left audience with an
effective residual message
Visual Aids: Appropriate text size, font, and colors; general visual appeal; appropriate use of visual aids; citations
given for images.
Delivery: Appropriate eye contact, movement, rate of speech, volume, enthusiasm, confidence, lack of verbal fillers
and other noise.
Overall Impressions: Includes general impressions of persuasiveness, audience adaptation, and response to
questions.

_______________________________
SCORE
1

Preliminary Oral Exam

Prepared to discuss the theory needed to accomplish the project.
Prepared to discuss relevant safety issues and procedures.
Prepared to discuss proper operation of equipment, methods for taking physical measurements, as well as possible sources
of error.
Had an outline of their experimental plan and were prepared to discuss alternatives.
All students participated and had given thought to their roles in their team.

100
25
25
20
20
10