A thesis is required for all programs leading to a Plan A master’s degree, and a dissertation is required for the doctor of philosophy degree. This manual was written by the Graduate School to help you and your committee members to prepare theses and dissertations. Its purpose is to define uniform format standards. The word “thesis” refers to both the thesis and the dissertation unless otherwise noted.
Advisor’s Responsibility
Your advisor serves as a mentor both while you are doing the thesis work and while the results of that work are prepared for the thesis. Although you have primary responsibility for the content, quality, and format of the thesis, the advisor and the Graduate Advisory Committee must be consulted frequently. They approve the final document before it is submitted to the Graduate School. Advisors are particularly asked to insure that the abstract summarizes clearly and concisely the major points of the thesis.
Student’s Responsibility
Your are responsible for making all arrangements for the preparation and submission of the thesis as well as any additional copies required by the department. you should also consider the following:
1. Consult a style manual approved by your department for correct format for quotations, footnotes, and bibliographical items.
2. Refer to the Graduate School Thesis and Dissertation Formatting Guide for guidelines regarding correct format for thesis presentation (including illustrative materials).
3. Edit draft for correct sentence structure, grammar, paragraphing, punctuation, and spelling.
4. Prepare tables in the form in which they are to be printed.
5. Furnish numbering and legends for all tables and illustrative materials.
6. Proofread final copy and check to see that corrections are made accurately.
7. Present a copy to the Graduate Advisory Committee for their review.
8. Submit the final committee approved version electronically.