Thesis Guidelines and Specifications

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A degree candidate must demonstrate an ability to do independent research and competence in scholarly exposition by the preparation of a thesis on a topic related to the major subject. The thesis should represent a significant contribution to knowledge, be presented in a scholarly manner, reveal an ability on the part of the candidate to do independent research of high quality and indicate considerable experience in using a variety of research techniques. The thesis is to be developed by the student with the supervision and criticism of the faculty advisor. The draft thesis is to be submitted first to the faculty advisor. After the thesis has been approved by the faculty advisor, then the student needs to distribute a copy to each member of the doctoral committee. The student must also submit a complete draft copy of the thesis to the Thesis Office for a format review prior to the published deadline. This does not have to be a signed copy. The student must allow enough time to make changes as required by the doctoral committee and the Thesis Office. The student should plan to present the final draft of the thesis to members of the doctoral committee at least two weeks prior to the date of the final oral exam. This will allow approximately a week for review and the student will have at least a week for correcting the copy to be presented at the final exam. The final draft should be complete in every respect including figures, tables and bibliography; the content and style should be correct and polished.

Number of Copies. The student is required to provide at least three bound copies of their thesis--one for the Graduate School, one for the Nuclear Engineering Program, and one for the advisor. Additional copies may be required in some cases for the sponsor of the research project or member(s) of the doctoral committee.

Paper, Printing, and Binding of Thesis. The thesis must follow the current specifications in "Thesis Guide: Requirements for the Preparation of Master's and Doctoral Theses." A copy of this publication is available on the website of the Thesis Office at: http://www.gradsch.psu.edu/thesis/thesis.guide.html. The thesis must be bound in a hard cover. Each thesis must be typed in a style and format conforming to the Graduate School requirements at the student's expense.