Thesis Help 2023-24

This guide contains the updated formatting and submission guidelines for thesis students. This guide may be updated prior to thesis deadlines. 

For more information on using the Microsoft Word template or transferring your thesis from Google Docs to Microsoft Word, see the directions from CUS. Please email Ask A Librarian with questions.

For the library to accept your final thesis the following requirements must be met.

Required

1. Title and Approval Pages are formatted correctly. See examples below.
2. Required sections are present and in the correct order. See details below.
   • Title Page 
   • Approval Page
   • Table of Contents
   • Abstract
   • Major body of text
   • Bibliography / References 
3. Margins are wide enough to facilitate binding.
   • To ensure your thesis can be printed and bound, check that you have a Section Break (Odd Page) after each section of your thesis.
   • 1.5" on the inside margin and 1" on the outside margin.
   • The thesis template will default to these settings. 

General formatting questions? Ask a Librarian!

Specific formatting questions? Ask CUS! There are virtual formatting hours on Mondays from 5-7 PST.  For more information, see this help page.

Common Formatting Problems

See the following examples of common formatting errors.

• Sample thesis with incorrect section breaks
• Sample thesis with incorrect margins
• Sample thesis with incorrect pagination

No variations in the title or approval pages will be accepted. Examples are linked below. A complete list of majors for the Approval Page is available but please verify the listing with your thesis advisor. 

Requirements

• Use the correct title and approval page wording for your major
  • Title and Approval Pages for a Division  
  • Title and Approval Pages for an Established Interdisciplinary Committee
  • Title and Approval Pages for an Interdisciplinary Committee
  • Title and Approval Pages for an Interdivisional Committee
• Use a consistent font and size
• Do not use decorative graphics/fonts
• The date on your title page should be the month and year you are submitting your thesis

CORRECT : May 2022

INCORRECT : May 14, 2022

The contents of your thesis must follow the order below. Required sections are indicated in bold.

• Title Page - Required
• Approval Page - Required
• Acknowledgments / Preface
• List of Abbreviations
• Table of Contents- Required
• List of Tables/Figures/Spectra
• Abstract - Required (except for creative writing)
• Dedication
• Major body of text - Required
• Glossary
• Appendix
• Endnotes
• Bibliography / References - Required
• Index