Thesis Checklist
graduate school of arts and sciences
- Submit your Thesis online or in hard copy
- Signature Page (Submit two original hard copies to Grad A&S)
- Information Form
The elements of your dissertation should be in the following order:
(Click to view a sample page and definition)
Submitting your Thesis
Submit Electronically
Submit your Thesis Electronically via eTD@BC (preferred).
Submit a Hard Copy
To submit a hard copy of your thesis, complete all items on the checklist above and bring everything--including the items below--to McGuinn 221.
- eTD Author Agreement Form
-
One unbound copy of your thesis
Printed on archive-quality paper (20 lb. bond minimum, acid-free) - Two additional copies of the title page
- One additional copy of the abstract
- A CD containing the full thesis (cf. "eTD Author Agreement Form")
If you have any questions about the format of your thesis, contact the Dean's Office, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, McGuinn 221, at 617-552-3268. Theses not conforming to the minimum standards described herein may be returned to the candidate, and the awarding of the degree delayed.
Payment
The fee for theses includes the mandatory cost of processing, scanning, and binding. If you do not submit your dissertation via eTD@BC, the exact amount paid in cash or by check (made payable to Boston College) must be presented when you submit your dissertation:
$90 - without copyright option
$135 - with copyright option
Signature Page
Use this template. Type in the names of your advisor and readers as designated under the signature line; and print out two copies of this form. Both pages will be signed on the first line by the dissertation advisor and then by the designated readers, two readers (in addition to the advisor) are required for the doctoral dissertation. Both copies must be original, not photocopies.
Traditional Title Page
The title page must conform to this sample; otherwise, the Graduate School reserves the right to require the page to be redone. The thesis' title should be concise and meaningful. Sample Title Page
Copyright Page
Regardless of which option you select with UMI, this page is required and must conform to this sample; otherwise, the Graduate School reserves the right to require the page to be redone. Sample Copyright Page
Abstract
The abstract must include the title of your dissertation, your name, and that of your thesis advisor as the heading. The abstract must be double-spaced in the same type font as the dissertation text.
Thesis Form and Style
The signature page, traditional title page, copyright page and the abstract must not be numbered.
The Graduate School does not require use of one particular style manual; however, make sure that you consistently follow one method of reference and bibliographic notation throughout your dissertation.
The typing of all textual material must be letter-quality, clear, dark black, and double-spaced on one side of the page; notes, bibliographic references, and long quotations may be single-spaced. The font size must be minimum (10) point. While the font size and style should be consistent throughout your text, the notes, bibliographic references, and long quotations may be in a size smaller than your text, but must still be at least (10) point. The use of correction fluids and tapes is not acceptable.
Margins and Page Numbers
Page numbers must be (1) inch from paper edge on top or bottom of page. Left margin and margin with page numbers must be (1.5) inches. Right margin and remaining top or bottom margin (whichever does not contain page numbers) must be (1) inch. These margins must be strictly maintained throughout your work.
Pagination
The signature page, traditional title page, copyright page and abstract cannot be numbered and should be submitted in this order. Table of contents, acknowledgments, lists of tables, etc. are considered the introductory material of the manuscript (optional); therefore, the pages should be numbered in lower case Roman numerals (i, ii, etc.). Every page of the dissertation body, after the introductory material, must be sequentially numbered.
Charts, Graphs, Tables
Illustrative material should be produced in black ink. Colors should not be used for shading or in graphs, but should be replaced with labels or cross-hatching. Photographs should be high-contrast black and white, and affixed with dry-mounting tissue or high-quality glue. Oversized material may be used if carefully folded to (8.5 x 11) inches.
Revised January 2009