The Guide to the Preparation of Theses and Dissertations
This document, available in PDF format, should be your essential reference for the preparation of your thesis or dissertation. It replaces the 10th edition of The Guide. All theses and dissertations submitted for fulfillment of graduate requirements for May 2010 and beyond must follow the guidelines outlined in the 11th edition. All questions about the Guides and the guidelines contained therein should be directed to the thesis/dissertation consultant.
§ Approval sheet: One of the most important documents in the thesis/dissertation submittal process. Please read the instructions and use the samples.
§ You may also find our FAQ helpful: Frequently Asked Questions
§ In addtion, please see the Steps to Submittal
Other Important Resources
Workshops:- Thesis/Dissertation Workshops (offered each semester by The Graduate School)
- Technology Workshops (offered on a regular schecule by OIT), including the Electronic Thesis/Dissertation workshop focusing on converting documents to PDF
- Library Workshops and Studio Short Courses (including workshops on finding and using sources, the End Note citation software, graphic design and presentation software, and more.)
Help with your document:
- The Guide to the Preparation of Theses and Dissertations
- Frequently Asked Questions
- An MSWord template (Note: This is not the only acceptable format, just one possible, and correct, way to format the document.)
- Another MSWord template using adapted APA style
- LaTeX template (A highly recommended open source document compiler. You can find copious information online, including templates for specific journals and professional organizations. Start with The LaTeX Project.)
Technical tips and shortcuts for MSWord users:
- Page numbering: Use these steps to change from the required lower-case roman numerals in the preliminary pages to arabic numerals in the main body of the text.
- Headings and Table of Contents: Use these steps to set up headings that will allow you to generate a Table of Contents automatically (and keep your headings consistently formatted, too).
- Captions and List of Tables/Figures: Use these steps to get automatically numbered captions on your tables/figures; these will also let you generate a List of Tables and List of Figures automatically.
- Dot Leader fix: Doing the Table of Contents "by hand" will ensure that the list is lined up properly. But, please consider an automatic table of contents for the small amount of time you spend learning how to make Word do your work for you will save you from future frustration!
- Positioning footer in Word: Word 2003 or Word 2007 or Word 2008 (for Mac)
Other technical resources:
- Ideas for enriching your PDF document (ways to make the final electronic version easier to navigate)
- Acceptable Multimedia Formats
- The Studio (Hodges Library Media Center): Assistance with document preparation (including multimedia, .pdf conversion, etc.)
- OIT Labs
- The LaTeX Project: Learn about (and get) the software here
Don't forget: All theses and dissertations are now submitted electronically! Steps to Electronic Submittal
Contact The Consultant
Kris Bronstad
111 Student Services Bldg.
Knoxville, TN 37996
Phone: (865) 974-1337
Email (preferred): thesis@utk.edu
Other Resources
- Graduate Student Forms
- Research Computing Support
- Office of Research Compliance Guidelines: Confirm your compliance BEFORE beginning research!
- See also: Office of Research
- University Libraries Reference and Instructional Services
- OIT main page
- Copyright Information from UT Libraries
- See also: The U.S. Copyright Office
- Writing Center