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CHAPTER II
The Manuscript
A. Format
The manuscript consists of three main parts: the preliminary pages, the text, and the reference section. The student, in consultation with his or her major professor, determines the internal arrangement within the text and reference sections. The candidate is advised to consult with his or her major professor regarding an acceptable style before preparing the final copy of the thesis or dissertation.
Manuals of style are superseded by the regulations for thesis and dissertation preparation in this manual if there is a conflict in the instructions regarding format.
B. Arrangement
Each preliminary page after the committee approval page (ii) is to be arranged in the sequence described below and is to be numbered with lower case Roman numerals. The text immediately following the preliminary pages is numbered with Arabic numerals.
If the student appends a reference section to the end of each chapter or section in the manuscript, the third section of the manuscript may contain only the Appendices and Addenda, or, if there are neither, there may be no third section.
The manuscript is arranged in the following sequence:
The Preliminary Pages
1. Title page (counted but not numbered)
2. Committee approval page (page ii, the first page on which a number appears)
3. Copyright page (optional) (counted and numbered)
4. Dedication page (optional) (counted and numbered)
5. Acknowledgments (optional) (counted and numbered)
6. Abstract (counted and numbered)
7. Table of Contents (counted and numbered)
8. List of Tables (if 5or more) (counted and numbered)
9. List of Figures (if 5 or more) (counted and numbered)
10. List of Symbols (if applicable) (counted and numbered)
11. List of Acronyms (if applicable) (counted and numbered)
12. List of Plates (if applicable) (counted and numbered)
The Text
The first page following the last page of preliminary pages is the first page of the text and is numbered with an Arabic number 1.
1. Preface or introduction, if any (Arabic number 1)
2. Text of body or thesis/dissertation (Arabic number)
(divided into chapters or sections)
The Reference Section
1. Bibliography or List of References (counted and numbered)
2. Appendices (if any) (counted and numbered)
3. Vita (required for dissertations only) (counted and numbered)
C. Preliminary Pages
The information on the preliminary pages and the format for these pages are standardized and students must follow the samples and instructions presented in this manual. (See sample pages in Appendices 6 - 17). Most matters of format for the preliminary pages are identical for both the master's thesis and the doctoral dissertation. Two sets of sample pages are provided, one set for the doctoral dissertation and one set for the master's thesis. The candidate will need to read both this general instruction section and the appropriate sample page section.
The committee approval page is always numbered "ii" and the page number will be no lower than 1/2 inch, no higher than ¾ inch from the bottom of the page.
Please note that the general format for capitalization and spacing is to be followed for all preliminary pages for which a sample is provided (e.g., where groups of lines are double-spaced on the sample pages, be sure to double-space). Distribute the spaces between groups of lines to present a balanced appearance.
There must be consistency among approval sheets and all preliminary pages with respect to the candidate's name, major field, major professor and committee members, title of thesis or dissertation and year the degree is awarded.
Title Page
(See sample pages in Appendices 6 - 7)
1. FLORIDA
INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY appears in full capital letters at the top of the
page;
The title for the thesis or dissertation should include meaningful keywords descriptive of the subject and content to facilitate its location on a subject index. This is particularly important for doctoral candidates, since titles are the basis for computer searches from which subject lists of dissertations are prepared by ProQuest Information and Learning’s Datrix reference service. "Catchy" titles should be avoided. A thesis concerning "The Purchasing Power of Teenage Girls," for example, would be difficult to locate if titled "Susie Needs A New Wardrobe."
Formulae, symbols, superscripts, Greek letters, acronyms, and abbreviated forms in general are to be spelled out (e.g., K3 Mn(CN)6 is written Potassium Manganicyanide; MMPI is written Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory; TESL is written Teaching English as a Second Language).
2. The major in which the candidate is earning the degree must be written as the approved University major listed in the FIU Graduate Catalog. For example, FIU awards a degree of Master of Science in Biology, not a Master of Science in Biological Sciences. If there are any questions about the degree name, the candidate should consult the current FIU Graduate Catalog.
3. The candidate's name must be the name under which he or she is registered at FIU and must match the name that appears on the approval forms, copyright page (if the copyright is being registered), committee approval page, and abstract. If the student wishes to change the name of record, an appropriate petition must be filed in the Office of the Registrar.
The date at
the bottom of the title page is the year in which the degree is awarded. This
is the same year in which the manuscript is filed, except in the case when the
manuscript is filed with the
There is no page number on the title page. The title page is counted as the first preliminary page but not numbered. For architecture manuscripts with an oversize volume, see also section E in Chapter I.
Committee Approval
Page
(See sample pages in Appendices 8 - 9.)
The committee approval page is always page ii of the manuscript, and it is the first page on which a number appears (ii appears no lower than 1/2 inch from the bottom of the page). Every page after this page is numbered. The preliminary pages in Roman numerals and the text in Arabic numerals.
The candidate's name as recorded by the FIU Office of Registration and Records appears on the committee approval page. The name should be the same as that which appears on the first page of the abstract, the title page, copyright page (if the copyright is being registered), and the Final Approval of Thesis (M5) or Final Approval of Dissertation (D7).
The name of the major professor and of each signing committee member is to be typed under the appropriate signature. The name of the Major Professor should be listed last. On the committee approval page, the title "Major Professor" follows that individual’s name. Adjust the spacing between listed names according to how many committee members there are leaving enough space for the signatures. Signatures should be in black ink for best reproduction. If a member signs in blue ink, obtain the clearest copy possible.
The date in which the oral defense took place is typed after
the signature of the Major Professor. The last signature on the page is that of
the Dean of the
For architecture manuscripts with an oversize volume, see also section E in Chapter I.
Copyright Page
(See sample page in Appendix 10.)
Copyrighting is optional for doctoral and master's candidates. If a thesis/dissertation is to be copyrighted, a page is inserted immediately after the committee approval page and assigned number iii. The following information must appear centered (vertically and horizontally) on the copyright page:
© Copyright 1998 by Jennifer Anne Garcia
All rights reserved.
To be consistent, use name as it appears in title page, committee approval page, and abstract. This page is counted and numbered. The format for the copyright page is the same for the master's thesis and the doctoral dissertation. If the copyright has already been registered, insert the registration number after the author's name, the year the copyright was obtained in place of the year the degree was awarded, and follow further instructions in Chapter III at the time of filing. If the candidate does not wish to copyright his/her thesis/dissertation, do not include a copyright page and adjust the page numbering accordingly.
For architecture manuscripts with an oversize volume, see also section E in Chapter I.
Dedication Page
(See sample page in Appendix 11.)
This page is optional, but if included it will always be numbered and is to be typed double-spaced.
Acknowledgments
(See sample page in Appendix 12.)
This page is to thank those who have helped in the process of obtaining the graduate degree. Acknowledgments are optional, except when the candidate is listing permissions to quote copyrighted material. The candidate is responsible for acknowledging each permission to reproduce in accordance with the wishes of those granting permission (See Chapter III). Acknowledgments are to be typed double-spaced under the heading ACKNOWLEDGMENTS (centered, all capital letters, no underlining, no italics).
Abstract
(See sample pages in Appendices 13 - 14.)
The words ABSTRACT OF THE DISSERTATION (doctorate) or ABSTRACT OF THE THESIS (master's) appear in capital letters beneath the top margin. Follow the sample page spacing. The title, candidate's name, year of degree, and name of the major professor must match the versions used on other preliminary pages and the approval forms.
The title "Professor" precedes the name of the major professor (no matter what the individual's normal title is). The title "Major Professor" follows the name. (Note: This style does not match the committee approval page.)
The abstract must include the following components:
• purpose of the research,
• methods,
• findings/results, and
• conclusion.
The abstract is published without further editing or revisions; therefore, special care must be taken in its preparation. The abstract for the master's thesis is not to exceed 150 words. The abstract for the doctoral dissertation is published by ProQuest Information and Learning in Dissertation Abstracts International and must not exceed 350 words or 35 lines (or 2,450 characters counting spaces and punctuation). If the abstract is more than two pages long, the candidate should be prepared to show that it is not more than 350 words long.
Table of Contents
(See sample page in Appendix 15.)
The table of contents should have a heading of TABLE OF CONTENTS in capital letters, centered below the top margin. Right after the main heading, the subheadings CHAPTER and PAGE should be typed as illustrated in the sample page. The contents should begin with the first chapter title (e.g. Preface, Introduction, Chapter I) and continue until the last chapter of the manuscript is listed. This includes the list of references, appendices and vita (where applicable). Do not include preliminary pages in the table of contents. In addition, do not list all the appendices, but include the page number where they start. Page numbers must be given for each item listed.
Lists of Tables,
Figures, Symbols, Acronyms, and Plates
(See sample pages in Appendices 16 and 17.)
The lists of tables, figures, symbols, acronyms, and plates should have a heading of LIST OF TABLES (FIGURES, etc.) in capital letters, centered below the top margin. In the lists of tables and figures, the subheadings TABLE (FIGURE) and PAGE should be typed double-space below the main heading. Table and figure titles should be single-spaced with double spacing between entries. Page numbers must be given for each table and figure listed. The titles should be listed word-for-word as they appear in the text. Include a list of tables or list of figures if there are five or more tables or figures in the manuscript. The list of tables and list of figures should not be combined into one list.
Note: The last page of the table of contents or the lists of tables, figures, symbols, acronyms, and plates (if any) is the last page of the preliminary pages and the last page numbered with Roman numerals. Any other item in a manuscript that has not been specifically listed and discussed above must not be included in the preliminary pages.
D. Text
The candidate should consult with his or her major professor and committee members to determine the preferred textual arrangement and style, including footnote style and the manner in which references are cited. Style manuals are available for purchase at the FIU Bookstore. As to format, the regulations included here supersede any style manual instructions. Paper, spacing, fonts, and page numbering requirements as well as techniques for managing reproduction of oversize, illustrative and special material are described in Chapter I. Regulations regarding use of published and other special material which may require special permission or acknowledgment are presented in Chapter III.
E. The Reference Section
List of References or
Bibliography
The list of references or bibliography should go after the end of the main text. References should be single-spaced with double spacing between entries. On occasion, especially in the sciences, references are needed at the end of each chapter; this format is acceptable. The candidate should consult with the Major Professor and the committee members to discuss the manner in which references are cited.
Appendices
Appendix material should be supporting documentation. Information central to your research should be placed in the main text. All appendices follow the list of references or bibliography. All appendices must meet the margin requirements and have a page number. Material may be reduced to fit margins requirements (See Chapter I, section C). Every page must be clear and legible.
Vita
(See sample page in Appendix 18.)
The vita is required for doctoral dissertations ONLY. The vita provides a brief biographical background of the candidate. It is not intended to be a comprehensive resume or curriculum vitae. The heading, VITA (centered, in capital letters, and not underlined) should be typed below the top margin. All vita entries should be listed in strict chronological order, with no subcategories or subheadings. The vita includes the date (optional) and place of birth, dates of degrees and names of colleges or universities (exclude the degree for which this dissertation is written), academic or professional employment, publications and presentations. If the candidate wishes, it may also include military service, honors, awards and distinctions. The vita should not exceed two pages.
If including publications and presentations do not break them into two separate categories. Type a heading PUBLICATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS as illustrated in the sample page. List all entries in strict alphabetical order by first author's last name. List presentation entries using a standard citation format. If a presentation paper has not been subsequently published and the candidate is uncertain about citation format, a style manual should be consulted for correct formats for unpublished presentation papers.