Thesis Preparation Tips

While we want to help you create an excellent document, we do not have the resources to perform spell checks nor a thorough examination of each page. This is your responsibility as the author of the document. Use the spell check feature of your word processing software and ask a friend to read your dissertation before submitting to the library for review.

1. Title page:
   • Includes name of degree, department, date (month and year) that degree is granted, and name of institution in full as OGI School of Science & Engineering at Oregon Health & Science University.
   • Title page lists only previously earned degrees.

2. Ph.D. abstracts are not longer than 350 words.

3. All required parts of thesis have been included in the correct order. Front and back fly leaf pages (blank pages) are present.

4. Original signatures are on the approval page of all required copies.

5. Margins match specifications in Style Guide.

6. Pagination:
   • Introductory pages are numbered in lower case Roman numerals at bottom center of pages. Pages from beginning of the text (Chapter 1) are counted in this pagination.

   • Page numbers are omitted from title page and copyright page (if included).

   • Beginning with the Introduction, all pages are numbered in Arabic numerals. You can choose to number the pages in the upper right hand corner, or in the bottom center or you may choose to number the beginning of each chapter in the bottom center and all other pages in the upper right hand corner. Consistency is the issue here.

   • Check pagination of entire document including appendices to verify that all pages are correctly numbered and in sequence. Appendix pagination continues from the body of the text.

   • Are all pages right side up (so that they aren't bound upside-down)?

7. Abbreviations used within the text or references should be consistent and unambiguous.

8. Paper used for the required paper copy is 20 pound, 100% cotton content.

9. Previously published papers:
   • Any previously published papers included in the text are formatted in a manner consistent with the entire thesis.

   • Previously published papers have publication or submission status and their bibliographic references indicated as a footnote on their first page in the thesis.

10. Copyright permission letters allowing inclusion of previously published papers are turned in with the Library's paper copy and also with the UMI copy if you are submitting to UMI. Written permission from the copyright holder for the use of long cites, tables, or figures from other sources is included in the text as a footnote.

11. Tables and figures:
    • Table numbers and titles appear above tables.

    • Figure notes appear under figures.

    • Figures or tables placed sideways on a page (landscape style) have their top at the inner binding edge of the page. Page numbers on landscape pages will appear in the same place relative to portrait style pages.

12. OGI Thesis/Dissertation Submission Form has been completed and turned in to Library with the copy to be bound. Students: If you are deciding to submit to UMI, you have provided an additional paper copy and the UMI agreement form has been completed and signed. UMI requires that a separate copy of your title page and abstract be attached to their agreement form. This abstract has a different format than the abstract included in the body of your dissertation. It is double spaced and includes the name and date of your degree along with the complete name of the school and the advisor's name.