Thesis Template Guide

Transcription

1 Thesis Template Guide Office of Graduate and Professional Studies Texas A&M University Fall 2013

2 About the template This template is meant to help guide you in creating a thesis / dissertation for Texas A&M University that conforms to the guidelines set forth in the Thesis Manual. It contains placeholder text for the preliminary pages, page 1 of the main body, and back matter. The template has standard Thesis Manual margin settings and page numbers set correctly for the preliminary pages and main body (omitting the page number on the Title Page). The template is not a substitute for the Thesis Manual Do not use this template as a substitute for the Thesis Manual. It is a companion piece to be used in unison with the content of the Thesis Manual. Using the template does not negate your responsibility to follow all the Thesis Manual guidelines. If you have any questions about this template or the requirements in the Thesis Manual please contact our office. We are happy to answer any questions or resolve any problems you may have. General tips for template usage If you copy and paste sections from the template into another existing document some of the settings may be lost in the transfer. Also, be careful when pasting text from other documents into the template. Use this template as a starting off point to create your thesis. It is also a good resource to help you with setting up page numbers properly. After you have opened the correct template file, save the file with a new name so you have the original template file if you need it. You are then ready to begin using the template.

3 Contents of the template Title Page (Page i unnumbered) Abstract (Page ii first numbered page in preliminary pages) Dedication (Page iii OPTIONAL) Acknowledgements (Page iv OPTIONAL) Nomenclature (Page v OPTIONAL) Table of Contents (Page vi) List of Figures (Page vii IF NECESSARY ) List of Tables (Page vii IF NECESSARY) Chapter I / Section 1 (Page 1) Tips on using specific template pages Title Page (Page i unnumbered) The spacing on the title page is important, so you may need to make slight adjustments based on the length of your title. Please check for equivalent spacing between sections on this page, as well as for balance on the page (i.e., spacing above the title and below the Copyright notice). Once you replace the text in the appropriate places your title page will be complete. All text between brackets [ ] is meant to be replaced by text you type in. To accomplish this correctly, click on the line where you wish to begin and start typing. DO NOT delete the text and then type: Begin typing after you click on the line, and after you

4 start typing the instructions on that line will disappear. All text that is not in brackets on this page should remain unchanged. Please refer to the Thesis Manual for further instructions on the correct appearance of the title page. Thesis Author Statement Use one of the items below: A Thesis A Dissertation A Record of Study Additionally, the name should be your official university recognized name. Degree Line Use one of the items below (or the official degree name, if not included here): MASTER OF ARTS MASTER OF SCIENCE MASTER OF URBAN PLANNING DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY DOCTOR OF EDUCATION Committee List

5 You may need to add a line for Co-Chair of Committee, and you may need to use a smaller or larger number of committee member names. You may also need to change Head of Department to Chair of Interdisciplinary Faculty. Please edit the committee list section appropriately to include your entire committee. If you add additional committee members, you may need to make adjustments to the spacing between sections so that all text fits on the same page, and is balanced. Please refer to the Thesis Manual for further instructions on the appearance of the approval page. Graduation Line State the Month and year of your graduation. Major Subject Line State your major subject. Copyright Notice Add the year your degree will be received and the University version of your name in upper and lower case letters. Abstract (Page ii first numbered page in preliminary pages) The text on the abstract page goes into detail about how the page should look, and the style and placement of the various parts. Please look also at the example page in the Thesis Manual and edit the page accordingly.

6 Dedication (Page iii OPTIONAL) This page is optional. Follow format instructions on the template. If it is not needed please delete. Acknowledgements (Page iv OPTIONAL) This page is optional. Follow format instructions on the template. If it is not needed please delete. Nomenclature (Page v OPTIONAL) This page is optional. Follow format instructions on the template. If it is not needed please delete. Table of Contents (Chapter/Section Method) This Table of Contents page will require further refinement to be adapted to your thesis. It is not an automatic Table of Contents: You will need to input the page numbers by hand. The automatic Table of Contents feature in Microsoft Word requires great attention. If you wish to utilize it, you will be required to edit it to conform to the Thesis Office guidelines. Because of intrinsic difficulties with the automatic Table of Contents feature in Microsoft Word, using it for your Thesis is not recommended. The page numbers and leader dots in this Table of Contents utilize the methods explained in our handout Table of Contents Formatting Tips. Press ENTER after a page number and the line your cursor is brought to should be set up in the same manner as the previous line. Pressing the TAB key will bring you to the different places on that line

7 where you may need to type or paste in titles. You do not enter the leader dots (..) manually when you press TAB after the text: It will add leader dots for you. The tabs that are set on each line make it possible for all the text to line up perfectly. Remember to review the Thesis Manual for further instructions about how the Table of Contents should be formatted. List of Figures / Tables (IF NECESSARY) These pages have a sample List of Figures / Tables in two styles. Choose the style you wish to use and delete the other one. Use this page of the template in a similar fashion to the Table of Contents. You are responsible for typing the page numbers and figure / table titles for each figure / table. Using the TAB key to move to the different parts and to keep everything aligned. You are free to utilize the automatic List of Figure / Table feature in Microsoft Word. If you are not comfortable with how to do this, it will probably end up being more work than typing everything manually. Please refer to the Thesis Manual for further instructions about the appearance of the List of Figures / Tables. Chapter I / Section 1 (Page 1) The text on the Chapter I / Section 1 page goes into detail about how the page should look. Please refer to the Thesis Manual for further information regarding page 1 and the main body of text in your thesis.

8 Questions? Please contact our office if you have any questions. Phone Number: Sterling C. Evans Library Room 612 Hours: Monday through Friday 8 AM - 12 NOON 1 5PM thesis@tamu.edu