THESIS THE NICHOLLS STATE UNIVERSITY DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES MASTERS DEGREE THESIS HANDBOOK Revised Fall, 2013 This handbook is prepared for use by students preparing to complete requirements toward the Master of Science in Marine and Environmental Biology at Nicholls State University. Requirements herein have been established by University Graduate Studies and the Department of Biological Sciences Graduate Committee. Purpose of the Thesis Demonstration of scientific proficiency and literacy through the reporting of original research and scholarship. General Characteristics of the Thesis Comprised of disciplined writing and data presentation, as a scientific journal May describe more than one topic or investigative strategies Reports all or most original data during student’s master’s degree training Reviews work that led to degree Reviews work that supports original findings Clarifies problem researched: why selected, how answered, and what learned Includes literature of background, supporting, and similar studies Includes conclusions and synthesis Abstract occasionally published separately Specific University and Department Requirements for Thesis Development and Review Must by Nicholls State University Graduate Studies Thesis Policy and Guidelines (revised in 2011), available from the Office of Graduate Studies (http://www.nicholls.edu/graduate) Thesis committee consists of a minimum of three members, approved by the Graduate Coordinator, with a minimum of two members from the Department of Biology and at least three members being University approved Graduate Faculty.
meaning reproductive units as opposed to RU, in which R and U are separate interacting variables). Complete used as a variable should be lowercase (e.g., species). Each letter in multiple-letter abbreviations that are not complete words should be capitalized (e.g., acceptable, AMF for area of managed forest; unacceptable, PATCH for patch area). Do not italicize Latin words or abbreviations such as i.e., e.g., et al., etc. Abbreviations p, probability df, degrees of freedom χ2, chi-square FST, genetic variance contained in a subpopulation relative to the genetic variance CI, confidence interval or credible interval SE, standard SD, standard deviation, e.g., mean (SD) = 44% (3) or mean of 44% (SD 3). Do not use ±. mg L-1, milligrams per liter m, m s-1, meters per second s, second(s) min, minutes(s) hr, hour(s) d, day(s) wk, week(s) mo, yr, year(s) ln or loge, logarithm (base e) log10, logarithm (base 10) approx., approximately cal or J, calorie (Joule) max., maximum °C, Celsius t, metric ton coeff., coefficient min., minimum CI, a≤ x ≤a, confidence interval CL, x ± a, confidence limits
The accepted proposal and the Approval of a Thesis Proposal form should be signed by committee members. Submit signed proposal and Approval form to Biology Graduate Coordinator. Research. Register for the thesis research course in the major department. Thesis. Thesis Policy and Guidelines and all departmental requirements have been followed regarding format (margins, font, style manual, etc.), included pages and their order, paper weight, etc. Include Certificate form to each copy of thesis. Submit thesis to committee at least two weeks prior to scheduled defense (to be discussed next). All corrections of thesis are made and submitted to the committee for approval. The deadline is in the University calendar as “Final date to submit a thesis for approval.” Final Exam. Student schedules a meeting for defense of thesis. Present will be committee and will be open to public. Oral comprehensive exam will be given to the student in private after presentation to public. Thesis is successfully defended. Final Examination Report for a Thesis is signed by committee and dean.