Steps Required To Obtain The Master of Science Degree: Step 9

Step 9. Writing your Thesis

General description of the thesis

The thesis format follows the traditional style for a science thesis, which includes an introduction, materials and methods, results, and discussion; an optional second section may include science education curriculum materials which have been developed, classroom testing data, or other science education research. Most faculty will want your thesis to follow Graduate College format requirements for microfilming. However, if your committee agrees that you don't have to follow these guidelines, contact Ellie Warder for alternate instructions.

Work closely with your thesis supervisor as you write your thesis. Expect to reviese your thesis several times. It will not be accepted until it is a polished, scholarly report of your research. A thesis is quite different from a term paper or progress report which a student simply writes and turns in.

Format for your thesis

(Detailed Description of the Format for the Thesis (Abstract and Body of the Paper) in Standard Graduate College Format)

Remember, the Manual for Theses and Dissertations is available from the ASUA Bookstore for $1.50. Alternatively, it is available online. This tells you how to format your thesis properly. Obtain this booklet when you're ready to write your thesis.

The suggested thesis format should include the following components:

ABSTRACT - describing the problem, the results and the interpretation
INTRODUCTION - general introduction to the field and the biological system
MATERIAL AND METHODS - a complete description all in one section
RESULTS - should be logically divided into separate chapters (if necessary) with an introductory paragraph at the beginning of each chapter and a summary paragraph at the end
DISCUSSION - a thorough analysis of the data and its implications, this section should tie all aspects of the research together cohesively
SUMMARY - a short synopsis, including future directions that should be taken
LITERATURE CITED- should follow that of the journal Cell, with in-text citings using the authors names and year published; the full references with titles should be listed alphabetically at the end of the thesis.

The University of Arizona
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics
General Biology Program for Secondary Teachers
warder@email.arizona.edu