Thesis templates and DUO

Layout and formatting a master's thesis

The guidelines from the service Search & Write describes the formal requirements for a master's thesis, what elements are to be included, tips on how to work with styles and headlines, etc. in Word without using UB's template.

Templates for Word

If you've already written most, or all, of your thesis, and you have complied with the rules for academic theses, then there is no reason for copying your thesis into the template. The template is meant to provide support through the writing process, and not meant as an extra task at the end of it.

If you haven't used the template, you probably still want a cover page like the one in the template. You can create a cover page using the same elements as the template, or one that meets the requirements of your department. You can also find tips at the web page Search & Write.

If you do want to transfer your thesis into the template, paste the text from your original document as "keep text only". Afterwards you have to go through the document and choose the correct heading level and other styles. If you don't paste as text only you might end up with including formatting and styles from your original document. This can cause major problems in the template.

Some departments have designed their own templates where the styles are defined slightly differently. Check with your institute before using the task template.

All the templates are in Norwegian, and they are based on standard Word versions. They will also work on English versions of Word. All Norwegian terms are explained in the English instructions for the templates.

Download:

• Thesis template for Windows 2010
• Thesis template for Windows 2007
• Thesis template for Mac 2011 Problems with page numbering and table of contents, see guide.

NB. If you are using Internet Explorer, it may be difficult to open a file by clicking on the link. Right-click the link, save the file, and then open it from the saved location.

Below is a quick-start guide, or you can read the full instructions for the thesis template.

1. Download the template and save it to ‘M’ (your home directory) or another secure location. If you are using Internet Explorer, it may be difficult to open the file by clicking on the link. Right-click the link, save the file, and then open it from the saved location.
2. Fill out the document properties information. This information will follow the file when converted to PDF and is important for Internet search engines.
3. Start typing. Use the heading style hierarchy correctly; these styles are used to generate the table of contents. It is also possible to generate a list of figures automatically. To use this feature, use the figure style for figure titles in Figure titles. Looking through the list of styles in the template before starting might be useful. The list is found in the full instructions.
   WARNING: You should not move between different versions of Word. If you have started working in Word 2010, you should not open and save the document in Word 2007, and vice versa. If you do this, the document could be damaged or destroyed.
4. Finish the thesis. Ensure that all figures and illustrations are correct, that a cover page has been filled in and that everything looks nice. Create a table of contents and a reference list. Create a PDF version of your document. Read about how to generate a PDF file from Word, OpenOffice, LaTeX, etc. on USIT's pages.
5. You should allow four working days for printing at Reprosentralen. More information regarding the submission of a thesis is available from your department.

Templates for LaTeX

LaTeX is mostly used within the fields of mathematics and the natural sciences. For information about LaTeX from the Informatics department please refer to Informasjon om LaTeX med venner (information in Norwegian and English).

 

Questions

If you have any questions about the templates
send an email to duo-hjelp@ub.uio.no