TIMETABLE OF DEADLINES/EVENTS
STRUCTURE OF THESIS
FORMAT OF THESIS
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

This project is a major part of your studies and thus deserves appropriate planning, thought and execution. The module is introduced mid-way through semester 1 and detailed planning is fostered as part of your Research Skills Development module which also begins at this time.

The following notes are given to you to assist in the preparation of your thesis, which is viewed as the culmination of your masters course. It is important that you read these notes carefully. If anything at all is unclear do not hesitate to ask for advice and make sure that you respond t the advice you get. Unless you know precisely what is expected of you, you are unlikely to achieve a quality end-product.

Regular meetings with your supervisor (or their representative) should feature highly in your weekly plans. If you are experiencing any difficulties please seek assistance at the earliest opportunity. Remember this period of the year is often the only time your supervisor can take a holiday, consequently forward planning and a structured timetable of meetings is essential.

Deadlines/Events (Full Time Students)
Pre-Christmas
Choose project, guidance/outlines will be provided within the contact time for other modules you are studying.

Post-Christmas, project outline presentation as part of the Research Skills Development Module, see information provided with this module for further details

September 5th          Results to your supervisor. Your data and appropriate manipulations.

September 19th        Project Conference
                       (Oral presentation, 30 minutes plus questions, 20% of assessment) All to attend.

November 3rd         Thesis submission

Structure of the Thesis

Title: accurate, informative and agreed with supervisor.

Contents: Should list sections and sub-sections with page numbers. Should include a separate list of figures (graphs and diagrams) with page numbers.

Acknowledgements (can be at end): It is usual practice to thank those who have helped you during the course of your project.

Abstract: An abstract summarising the main features of the Project and its conclusions, not exceeding 400 words.

Introduction: Providing an account of the previous related research on which the present work is based. The section should clearly state the reasons for carrying out the work and should conclude with a clear proposal of the aims of the project. All cited work should adhere to the Harvard system of referencing.

Materials and Methods: This is a detailed, accurate account with references of all procedures and data handling techniques utilised in the project. It should be in sufficient detail to enable someone to repeat your study exactly.

Results: This section should include a brief rationale for the study followed by the results obtained. Data is to be displayed in the appropriate format. The method selected should display your data and the point it is making to its best advantage. Voluminous raw data may be consigned to an appendix. Each table, graph etc. should have an explanatory legend.

Discussion: This is where you comment upon the results obtained, do they support or refute your hypothesis? Do they agree or contradict other findings? Reasonable speculation from the results is acceptable, as are suggestions for further work.

References: A list of all sources of information utilised by you during your project. References should be in alphabetical order, but should NOT be divided into separate sections for different source types. An accurate and complete reference section often indicates that care and effort has been taken in the thesis as a whole.

Appendices -

Appendix 1 - MUST contain the Safety Assessments. All Procedural Risk Assessment forms must be typed and have been approved by the Safety Officer (Audra Jones).

Appendix 2 - Project Declaration Form (from MSc Noticeboard), indicating that the Thesis is your own work.

Other Appendices - You may wish to (it is not compulsory) include some raw data or other pertinent information in additional appendices. Such material should be summarised within the main body of the dissertation.

Professional report writing is a strict discipline. For success, it is essential to achieve accuracy of description, clarity of expression and logical argument. A well-structured dissertation contributes significantly to these aims.

Format of thesis

The following requirements (A to H) should be adhered to in the format of the submitted thesis:

A. These shall be in A4 format.

B. Copies of the thesis shall be presented in a permanent and legible form either in typescript or print; where copies are produced by photocopying processes, these shall be of a permanent nature; where word processor and printing devices are used, the printer shall be capable of producing text of a satisfactory quality; the size of the character used in the main text, including displayed matter and shall not be less than 2.0mm for capitals and 1.5mm for x-height (that is, the height of lower case x)

C. The thesis shall be printed on the recto side of the page only (= right hand side of open book); the paper shall be white and within the range 70gm2 to 100gm2.

D. The margin at the left hand binding edge of the page shall not be less than 40mm; other margins shall not be less than 15mm.

E. Double or one and half spacing shall be used in the typescript except for indented quotations or footnotes where single spacing may be used.

F. Pages shall be numbered consecutively through the main text including photographs and/or diagrams included as whole pages.

G. The Title page to the thesis should give the following information:

• Full title of the thesis
• The full name of the author
• That the degree is awarded by the University
• The award for which the thesis is submitted in partial fulfilment of its requirements
• The collaborating establishment (if any)
• The month and year of submission
• If your title contains a specific binomial it should include the authority

H. The copies of the thesis shall be bound as follows:

• Due to financial considerations of the binding process it is imperative that the prebound completed work is viewed by your supervisor. If the work is deemed of acceptable academic quality the document needs to be produced in the following binding format. (Of course if this does not occur and the work subsequently needs some rewriting and rebinding the cost is to be met by yourself).

• The binding shall be of a fixed type so that leaves cannot be removed or replaced, the front and rear boards shall have sufficient rigidity to support the weight of the work when standing upright.

• In at least 24pt type the outside front board shall bear the title of the work, the name and initials of the Candidate, the Qualification (MSc) and the year of submission. The same information (excluding the title of the work) shall be shown down the spine of the work, reading downwards.

The deadline for the submission of Masters Project Dissertations is the 3^rd November 2003. Two copies should be submitted to the School Office no later than 4.00 p.m. on that day. You need to provide two hard-bound copies, these are kept, by the University library and your supervisor, if you want a permanent copy you will need to bind a third. Thus, at final submission only two need to be in the binding specified above.

If you wish to claim extenuating circumstances against either a later submission or other problems encountered during your project, you can obtain the forms from the reception in the Mellor Building. These forms should be completed and returned to the School Office as soon as possible after the circumstances occur. Any delay could jeopardise your award.

If you require any further clarification of points detailed above please contact Dr Kevin Reiling or your Award Leader Dr Paul Lunt.