What is Thesis: Definition and 235 Discussions

A thesis, or dissertation (abbreviated diss.), is a document submitted in support of candidature for an academic degree or professional qualification presenting the author's research and findings. In some contexts, the word "thesis" or a cognate is used for part of a bachelor's or master's course, while "dissertation" is normally applied to a doctorate. This is the typical arrangement in American English. In other contexts, such as within most institutions of the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland, the reverse is true. The term graduate thesis is sometimes used to refer to both master's theses and doctoral dissertations.The required complexity or quality of research of a thesis or dissertation can vary by country, university, or program, and the required minimum study period may thus vary significantly in duration.
The word "dissertation" can at times be used to describe a treatise without relation to obtaining an academic degree. The term "thesis" is also used to refer to the general claim of an essay or similar work.

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  1. C

    Navigating My PhD Dilemma: Quitting Job or Defending Thesis?

    For the last 3.5 years, I've been working on a detailed calculation for my phd. I finished five months ago. Because it was expected I would defend this semester, I applied for work and accepted a job, etc. I've started work and relocated, expecting to return to defend sometime next month...
  2. D

    Is My Thesis on Mechanical Vibrations Ready for Expert Review?

    I just submitted my final year thesis yesterday, but I was working on it right up to the submission time because there was so much work involved so I didn't get a chance to ask anyone to scan over the document to see if it reads alright from the point of view of an impartial observer. Now that...
  3. G

    Math Undergrad Thesis Topic Advice

    Hello everyone, I was wondering if anyone with more experience than I could give some advice about choosing a topic for my undergrad thesis. I'm currently a Junior in an Applied Math program, and I am interested in going to graduate school for a Ph.D after I complete my undergrad. I am aware...
  4. G

    Help with thesis: Harmonic Distortion in Firearm Barrel

    Hi, I'm trying to select a thesis based on firearms and am thinking of doing an acoustics based topic, namely, something how the harmonics of the barrel during firing affects accuracy, and how to reduce this effect (any variation of this really). The problem is that there isn't much...
  5. M

    Queueing model - Public Transportation PhD thesis

    Queueing model -- Public Transportation PhD thesis Just started to work on my PhD. Thesis is on public transport modeling basing on passenger waiting time on bus station for bus routes inside the city.Actually I found plenty of materials on queueing theory but specifically on this problem...
  6. marcus

    State Sums and (Quantum) Geometry: Frank Hellmann's PhD thesis

    http://arxiv.org/abs/1102.1688 State Sums and Geometry Frank Hellmann PhD Thesis, 106 pages (Submitted on 8 Feb 2011) "In this thesis I review the definition of topological quantum field theories through state sums on triangulated manifolds. I describe the construction of state sum invariants of...
  7. D

    My thesis group mate is an A student but doesn't work at all

    He doesn't show up in our group project(circuit testing, documentation, software etc.). My batch mates think he's the smart kid. He only relies on Test scores, but when it comes to projects (not only thesis) he doesn't show up/ work at all. He even gives us the worst excuse we've ever heard...
  8. samalkhaiat

    PF not mentioned in the refrences of MSc thesis

    The author of the following MSc thesis (see pages 8-11) http://workspace.imperial.ac.uk/theoreticalphysics/Public/MSc/Dissertations/2010/Maria%20Dimou%20Dissertation.pdf used the following PF-thread: www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=172461 Don’t you think the author should...
  9. W

    Programs A PhD thesis - fast or extensive ?

    What would you say is best for a career in science, provided that you have the choice: - Do a PhD much faster than average (with an average number of publications), or - Take the average time to produce a very extensive thesis (with more publications) ?
  10. C

    I don't know how to make a thesis, how to present it, and my

    I don't know how to make a thesis, how to present it, and my mathematical expression may be terrible. But who interest in it, e-mail me
  11. J

    Help Locating B. Dopfer's 1998 Thesis

    I'm looking for this thesis, "B. Dopfer, Zwei Experimente zur Interferenz von Zwei-Photonen Zuständen Ein Heisenbergmikroskop und Pendellösung (Ph.D. Thesis, U. Innsbrück 1998)". It use to be posted here http://www.quantum.univie.ac.at/publications/thesis but that link is not working. I...
  12. M

    Capstone thesis being dragged out by Adviser

    I'm an undegrad. At my school one can choose to do either 2 semesters of an upper division physics lab class or 1 semester and a capstone thesis project. With intentions of being a theorist (and because the upper div lab was in total disrepair) I opted to do a capstone thesis. I'll admit...
  13. A

    Question regarding research (related to research topic and writing thesis)

    I have three questions: 1. Suppose your supervisor has given you freedom to choose topic of research (for PhD). How do you decide what topic to work on? 2. Can one work on two somewhat disconnected topics and write about both in same thesis? 3. When do you feel that you have done enough...
  14. H

    What Are Suitable Bachelor Thesis Topics in Quantum Physics and Algebra?

    Hello Guys! I´m currently trying to find a subject for my bachelor thesis that I´m going to write after christmas.. I have a Bachelor degree in physics which means I have a good basis in Quantum physics and have also studied abstract algebra beside. I have bought three books which I think...
  15. Y

    Thesis Help: Find Subject for Physics Student & Simulation

    Hi First i am sorry about my bad English. I am a physics student and i am looking for a thesis subject. I want to prepare my thesis with simulation as i learn it. I have never done this before. I know Fortran. Probablity i will use Molecular Dynamic or Monte Carlo method. Can someone help me...
  16. C

    Taking a chance on one school for MS thesis?

    So a few months ago I got 2 job offers, so I accepted one and turned down the other. However, my employment then ended unexpectedly in a couple months. A few days ago I called the company whose offer I had rejected to see if they had any current openings. To my surprise, they didn't seem angry...
  17. M

    Looking for a thesis to my master

    Hello engineers around the world, I am studying My master in Electric Engineer specialize in power. I have just finished my first semester and I am in the second one now. I am totally lost because I don't know what topic should I choose for my Master degree. Most of the researches now are bout...
  18. X

    What subject for thesis in algebra

    Hi I'm a graduate student in mathematics and abstract algebra, and I'm looking for an exciting subject in algebra to work on for my thesis . I want the subject be new and sth that one can give paper on it . Any suggestion will be appreciated !
  19. J

    Electrical Engineering Thesis help

    Guys, I am a 5th year Electrical Engineering Student. We are required to do thesis report. I really need your help on the topic since i have no idea on what topic should i make. The study should be in power systems. Can you suggest topics for me? I am interested in fault analysis, ANN, Fuzzy...
  20. C

    MS thesis option if you don't have an ME background?

    I completed my undergrad in physics and applied math, and did 2 different research projects. I ultimately want to do modeling/computational work (since i would much rather do numerical analysis than experimental work) for an aerospace company/defense contractor doing work related to making...
  21. M

    Expert System Thesis: International Student at a Canadian University

    Hello All , I'm an international student , studying at a Canadian university . I'm doing my Master's degree in computer science which was not my major in my country . My major was education and computer . I've studied 42% computer and the rest was education . However , I'm wiling to do my...
  22. I

    Questions on Thesis Writing: Seeking Advice

    So I have enough material to graduate, and I'm working on my thesis. I have some questions concerning the thesis writing. I've noticed a lot of other thesis have large sections, if not whole chapters copied from their publications. Is this allowed? My advisor is a nice guy, but a totally...
  23. N

    Share Your Thesis Topic: What Did You Write About?

    Hi all What did you write your bachelor thesis about? Niles.
  24. Z

    Thesis Proposal Ideas for Electrical Engineering Students

    what is the best topic for an electrical engineering student for thesis proposal?
  25. E

    Thesis statement for my essay on the LHC

    Im writing my first college essay, an analysis. I chose the large hadron collider because everyone else was doing healthcare reform and Iran testing warheads, thought this would be interesting. The only problem is I can't come up with a badass thesis statement for my essay, the thesis is due...
  26. D

    Deciding on a Master's Thesis Direction for PhD Admissions in Canada

    I'm in Canada, where (usually) a master's degree, with a thesis, is required before being admitted in a PhD program. Now, I am told that a master's thesis does not need to be... substantial. However, you could say I'm ambitious (or stupid) and I want to get some original results. I'm in comp...
  27. A

    Can anyone assist with obtaining a copy of Birgit Dopfer's Phd thesis?

    Birgit's thesis (in German) used to be kept by Zeilinger at the UI website but has now been removed. Does anybody have a copy of it?. If you do, I'll appreciate it if you attach it to this thread or send it to me by email. Thanks, Alex Pascual
  28. L

    MSc Eng. Physics Student's Astrobiology Thesis: Benefits?

    I'm currently studying for M.Sc. in Engineering Physics, but will be doing my thesis in Astrobiology at NASA Ames. Will this somehow influence my "attractiveness" for the industry? I'm just thinking as astrobiology doesn't really have huge profitable applications, but this thesis work is pretty...
  29. M

    Need help with a thesis topic withing electric power distribution. Please help

    Hello guys, Please I need help in getting ideas for my masters thesis, I am a electrical (electric power distribution) engineering student and I have been searching for a long time with no good results, if anyone has links or good ideas please help me. My latest idea was the impacts of plug-in...
  30. E

    LaTeX Writing Master Thesis using LATEX

    Hello, I am in the writting stage of my master thesis. Actually, I wrote it while I am in progress, but I need to fulfill the requirements of the Faculty of Gradguate Studies (FGS) for the thesis. In doing so, I will face some problems using LATEX for sure, because I am not so familiar with...
  31. L

    LaTeX Creating a Master Thesis Cover Page

    Hello! Im writing my master thesis and I want to create a nice cover page. I want to have a title, a picture and all the other things it should have. Does anyone have any good codes or ideas to share? Thanks
  32. Cyrus

    Writing a Thesis with Systems Engineering: Tips & Tricks

    I'm having one hell of a time writing my thesis! I'm writing it as I go because I like to think in terms of systems engineering (breaking things down into blocks). I'm certainly no where near done with my research; however, there are lots of stuff I have done that can be written up now. Our...
  33. S

    Schools How to get other university thesis?

    When you need to get other student's Ph.D thesis for your reference, how do you get it? Some people upload their Ph.D. Thesis to arXiv.org, but not everyone do so. Many University librararies have their alumni's Ph.D. Thesis in PDF format. However, students from other universities...
  34. radou

    Structural dynamics - advice for senior thesis

    Hello to all, I am just about to start working on my senior thesis (I'm not sure if this is the exact equivalent term in english speaking countries - basically, it's the thesis you have to do in order to finish your studies and gain your engineering degree), which I selected to be in the...
  35. C

    Is it better to use direct quotes or paraphrase when citing sources in a thesis?

    I'm in the final year of my undergraduate studies and now I'm writing my final year report. In my thesis, there're certain things I need to mention and I find that I lack of words to describe the phenomena. However, I find there's a certain paragraph in a book that describe very well. I...
  36. S

    Need Help Getting Ideas For an Undergraduate Thesis Topic

    Hello guys, Please I need help in getting ideas for my undergraduate thesis, I am a mechanical engineering student and I have been searching for a long time with no good results, if anyone has links or good ideas please help me. Thank you.
  37. S

    Thesis Help Sound Intensity Probe.

    Thesis Help! Sound Intensity Probe. My final year thesis is to implement a sound intensity probe in MATLAB using two conventional microphones. Using these microphones, i can make recordings of audio to analyse in MATLAB, with the main aim to locate the sound from the phase information, and to...
  38. N

    Improving Equation Formatting in LaTeX

    So who else is writing a thesis over the christmas holidays? Can anyone help me with this latex problem: I'm using \begin{align} and \end{align} for this equation, but it looks ugly... http://www.freeimagehosting.net/uploads/cf1b1c46ab.gif How can I fix that first line?
  39. A

    The techniques of accomodation : A viable thesis or not?

    "The techniques of accomodation": A viable thesis or not? This thread is devoted to Walter Goffart's hugely influential thesis that the classical explanation of the "fall of Rome" as primarily a direct result of barbarian invasions in the fifth century is wrong, in significant aspects. In...
  40. Q_Goest

    Supervenience Thesis, Valid or Not?

    For those interested in cognitive science, the supervenience thesis seems to be one of those fundamental axioms which goes unsaid. If it needs to be said however, I think Tim Maudlin1 summed it up best: Seems that all other philosophers have the same views of supervenience, and in fact, the...
  41. K

    Master Thesis in Quantum Gravity

    Hello everyone. Im studying theoretical physics in sweden and I would like to go abroad for my last year to take some courses and write my master thesis within the field of quantum gravity. Do you have any suggestions on where I should try to go? As there is no research within that...
  42. Topher925

    How does your thesis topic affect your desired fields of work?

    I'm going to be choosing the topic of my masters thesis rather soon which will lay a lot of the ground work for my PhD. But I am wondering how general should I make my thesis with respect to other engineering areas. I'm looking to go specifically into energy and heat transfer of...
  43. F

    Should I Choose a Thesis Track for My MS in CE If I'm Not Pursuing a PhD?

    I'm already in my second semester of CE graduate school. My school offers two routes for graduate students: a thesis route (1-2 less course work than normal) and a non-thesis option (1-2 more courses than normal). I need to map out my plan of study to my adviser by end of Sept. and I'm not...
  44. F

    Help Choose Thesis: Web 2.0 Applications & Internet Evolution

    I need help in choosing a thesis. As of now, I'm still exploring. I want a topic that has sufficient prior work for me to write a good paper and research on but not too much as if it was overdone. My interest is around Web 2.0 applications and its evolution of the internet. I know the area is...
  45. P

    Finding the Best Software for Writing a Thesis

    I am about to write a thesis. I was just wondering whether Scientific workplace is the best software to write a thesis or MS Word. Any advice wouuld be welcome.
  46. B

    Help on Thesis Topic: Applied Physics, Programming & Experiments

    help on thesis topic! please, please.. help me find a topic for my thesis.. particularly, I'm interested in applied physics topics, programming or experimental set-up will do.. any suggestions?..
  47. C

    Adam C: Funktionalanalytische u. Geometrische Anomalie Aspekte - Hilfe gesucht

    Adam,c - Funktionalanalytische und geometrische Aspekte von Anomalie I need the article eagerly can someone help
  48. R

    How to write the thesis proposal for Masters

    Need Help--Urgent How to write the thesis proposal for Masters. Its urgent please do reply.. Because I don't have enough time.
  49. H

    Undergrad thesis on quantum computation (or LQG)

    Hello, I'm a 4th year physics undergrad, so I'm about to decide what to do in my undergrad thesis. I'll do pure theoretical work, but I'd like to avoid copy-paste stuff and come up wityh something quite original, however I'm not sure what topic are available, maybe someone here will help...
  50. SpaceTiger

    I Just Successfully Defended My Thesis

    ...defended my thesis. Hope to get the papers out in the coming months and spend a bit more time at PF. Did I miss anything?
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