Meaning of in partial fulfillment

[Edgardo]

Meaning of "in partial fulfillment"

In a thesis one often finds this sentence:
"A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of... ", e.g. here:
http://dmg.caup.washington.edu/pdfs/Thesis.HunterRuthrauff.2012.pdf

What does "in partial fulfillment" mean, in particular why do they use the word "partial"?

 

[SteamKing]

Ya got to go to class, you got to do the homework, you got to buy the books, you got to pay the tuition, etc.

 

[Edgardo]

Thanks. To me it sounded as if only parts of the requirements for the thesis have been fulfilled.

 

[denjay]

Don't know if it was clear from SteamKing's post but it means.. let's say you have to take a class and write a thesis for a degree. If you wrote the thesis, you could said you wrote it in partial fulfillment of the degree meaning that's not the only thing you need to do for said degree.

 

[Edgardo]

Thanks denjay!