Distinguished - Thoroughly discusses the selected disorder in relation to neuroscience comprehensively utilizing appropriate terminology from scholarly sources that were published within the last five years.

Proficient - Discusses the selected disorder in relation to neuroscience utilizing appropriate terminology from scholarly sources that were published within the last five years. The discussion is slightly underdeveloped.

Basic – Minimally discusses the selected disorder in relation to neuroscience somewhat utilizing appropriate terminology from scholarly sources that were published within the last five years. The discussion is underdeveloped.

Below Expectations - Attempts to discuss the selected disorder in relation to neuroscience; however, does not utilize appropriate terminology from scholarly sources that were published within the last five years, and/or the discussion is significantly underdeveloped.

Non-Performance - The discussion of the selected disorder in relation to neuroscience is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Includes a thorough introduction with a clear thesis statement that fully informs the reader about the topic, comprehensively describes the physical and psychological signs and symptoms of the disorder, and thoroughly discusses the reason for the topic choice.

Proficient - Includes a mostly complete introduction with a thesis statement that informs the reader about the topic, describes the physical and psychological signs and symptoms of the disorder, and discusses the reason for the topic choice. Minor details are missing.

Basic - Includes a somewhat complete introduction with a thesis statement that vaguely informs the reader about the topic, minimally describes the psychological and physical signs and symptoms of the disorder, and partially discusses the reason for the topic choice. Relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Attempts to include an introduction with a thesis statement that informs the reader about the topic, describe the psychological and physical signs and symptoms of the disorder, and discuss the reason for choosing the topic; however, significant details are missing.

Non-Performance - The introduction is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Comprehensively describes each of the components of the discussion section in one to two sentences, fully expanding upon the main aspects of the disorder and details relating to the disorder and its management, including all of the following: epidemiology, risk factors, natural history of the condition, diagnostic methods, treatment options, nervous system structures and neural pathways, and neurotransmitter/receptor systems relating to the disorder.

Proficient - Describes each of the components of the discussion section in one to two sentences, expanding upon the main aspects of the disorder and details relating to the disorder and its management, including most of the following: epidemiology, risk factors, natural history of the condition, diagnostic methods, treatment options, nervous system structures and neural pathways, and neurotransmitter/receptor systems relating to the disorder. One or more of the descriptions are slightly underdeveloped.

Basic - Partially describes each of the components of the discussion section in one to two sentences, minimally expanding upon the main aspects of the disorder and details relating to the disorder and its management, including some of the following: epidemiology, risk factors, natural history, diagnostic methods, treatment options, nervous system structures and neural pathways, and neurotransmitter/receptor systems. One or more of the descriptions are underdeveloped.

Below Expectations - Attempts to describe each of the components of the discussion section; however, the epidemiology, risk factors, natural history of the condition, diagnostic methods, treatment options, nervous system structures and neural pathways, and neurotransmitter/receptor systems relating to the disorder are not elaborated upon or the descriptions are significantly underdeveloped.

Non-Performance - The descriptions are either nonexistent or lack the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Thoroughly summarizes the findings regarding the selected disorder.

Proficient - Summarizes the findings regarding the selected disorder. The summary is slightly underdeveloped.

Basic - Partially summarizes the findings regarding the selected disorder. The summary is underdeveloped.

Below Expectations - Attempts to summarize the findings regarding the selected disorder; however, the summary is significantly underdeveloped.

Non-Performance - The conclusion is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Employs persuasive and applicable information from credible sources to develop an ample analysis or synthesis of the topic. Viewpoints of experts are scrutinized thoroughly.

Proficient - Employs applicable information from credible sources to develop an analysis of the topic.

Basic - Identifies applicable information from credible sources, but may neglect the application of such information toward the analysis of the topic. 

Below Expectations - Presents information from external sources, but such information may lack credibility and/or relevance. Neglects to apply such information toward the analysis of the topic.

Non-Performance - The assignment is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the instructions.

Distinguished - Uses appropriate, pertinent, and persuasive content to discover and develop sophisticated ideas within the context of the discipline, shaping the work as a whole.

Proficient - Uses appropriate and pertinent content to discover ideas within the context of the discipline, shaping the work as a whole.

Basic - Uses appropriate and pertinent content but does not apply it toward discovering or developing ideas. Overall, content assists in shaping the written work.

Below Expectations - Uses content, though it may be unrelated or inappropriate to the topic. Content does not contribute toward the development of the written work and may distract the reader from its purpose.

Non-Performance - The assignment is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the instructions.

Distinguished - Accurately uses APA formatting consistently throughout the paper, title page, and reference page.

Proficient - Exhibits APA formatting throughout the paper. However, layout contains a few minor errors. 

Basic - Exhibits limited knowledge of APA formatting throughout the paper. However, layout does not meet all APA requirements. 

Below Expectations - Fails to exhibit basic knowledge of APA formatting. There are frequent errors, making the layout difficult to distinguish as APA.

Non-Performance - The assignment is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the instructions.

Distinguished - The length of the paper is equivalent to the required number of correctly formatted pages. 

Proficient - The length of the paper is nearly equivalent to the required number of correctly formatted pages. 

Basic - The length of the paper is equivalent to at least three quarters of the required number of correctly formatted pages.

Below Expectations - The length of the paper is equivalent to at least one half of the required number of correctly formatted pages.   

Non-Performance - The assignment is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the instructions.

Distinguished - Uses more than the required number of scholarly sources, providing compelling evidence to support ideas. All sources on the reference page are used and cited correctly within the body of the assignment.

Proficient - Uses the required number of scholarly sources to support ideas. All sources on the reference page are used and cited correctly within the body of the assignment.

Basic - Uses less than the required number of sources to support ideas. Some sources may not be scholarly. Most sources on the reference page are used within the body of the assignment. Citations may not be formatted correctly.

Below Expectations - Uses an inadequate number of sources that provide little or no support for ideas. Sources used may not be scholarly. Most sources on the reference page are not used within the body of the assignment. Citations are not formatted correctly.

Non-Performance - The assignment is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the instructions.