Thesis Specifications

The Process

• You must select a thesis advisor. You should begin this process early in the second semester (for both 11-month + 16-month students)

• You should arrange to meet with your thesis advisor on a regular basis. You should take the iniative to arrange this.
  Plan to meet at a minimum of 3-4 times during the semester (more is better!)

• Your thesis advisor will sign off on your thesis and provide your grade to the academic administrator who will then enter it into Websis
  
  

The Details

• There is a lot of administrative work you need to do related to thesis

• You need to apply to graduate and enter your thesis title in Websis: http://student.mit.edu/cgi-docs/student.html
  (Select ONLINE DEGREE APPLICATION)  More details at the bottom of this page

• You need to enter your thesis title and abstract ONLY to the MIT Library: https://thesis-submit.mit.edu
  NOTE-What  you submit to the Registrar and the Library must match exactly!

• Once your advisor has signed off on your thesis, you will submit the thesis with cover page to the academic administrator for formatting review.

• Approved theses that are ready for formatting review need to be uploaded to a specificed Dropbox.

• Once the thesis meets the required formatting standards, the academic administrator enter your grade and  will submit it to the library on your behalf.
  (NOte-your grade WILL NOT BE ENTERED until the final paper is delivered)

• NOTE: It can take several months before your thesis is publically available on DSPACE

ALL STUDENTS

• Once your thesis advisor has approved your thesis, have them send your grade to the academic administrator. 

• You will submit your approved thesis via link provided to you and academic administrator will reviewing the formatting. 

• You may be required to make formatting edits. Once all adjustments have been made, the academic administrator will send the final copy to the library.

DUAL DEGREE STUDENTS

•  Dual Degree Students MUST submit an Online Degree Application for both the degrees being pursued

• Dual Degree students will follow the submission process and guidelines outlined by their home department

• All Dual Degree students need to submit a signed cover sheet to the CRE, even if their home deparment does not require it

STUDENTS SUBMITTING A JOINT THESIS

• Follow all above instructions for Thesis Submissions, AND:

• You must complete a petition form, which you can find here: https://oge.mit.edu/gpp/advanced-degrees/thesis/joint-theses/

  • One form for both students is fine, complete Sections 1 & 2, and sign the form digitally.

  • Send it to your thesis advisor to complete Section 3 and sign at the bottom digitally.

  • Send the form along to academic administrator, for her signature and submission to the OGE.  

    • NOTE: No more then two students can work together on a joint thesis

    • Students who are submitting a joint thesis must be graduating in the same cohort
      
      

THESIS SPECIFICATIONS

Naming Convention-Must be exactly as written below

• YourLastName-YourKerberousID-msred-cre-2023-Thesis.pdf
  (Your Kerberous ID is the first part of your email, not your MIT ID number)

TEMPLATES

• TITLE + ABSTRACT PAGE TEMPLATE

THESIS FORMATTING

• Refer to this link to see how to structure and format your thesis

PDF/A Formatting

• The library now requires all submitted thesis papers to be in the PDF/A format. This ensures longevity of the file.

• Refer to these instructions on creating your PDF/A file

ONLINE DEGREE APPLICATION
In order to graduate, you must complete an Online Degree Application.   Completion of the application after the deadline will incure a late fee

Step 1 - Personal Info

• Be sure to indicate your MIT ID, MIT Email address, First Name, Last Name, and Previous College Degree

Step 2 - Degree Information

• Be sure to select “RED M” as your degree under Step 2. 

• Indicate your Thesis Title – exactly as it will appear on your Thesis Title Page, including any capitalization, dashes, colons, etc.  

• The space to enter your degree title is to the right of drop-down “Description” menu for your degree. Clicking the "Enter Thesis Title” button and you will be able to add your thesis title.  

Step 3 - Commencement Plans

• • If you select “I will Participate in Commencement” - your physical diploma will be held until Commencement. (Note students submitting theses in July and February are eligible to participate in Spring  Commencement.

  • If you select “I will not attend Commencement. Mail my diploma” - your diploma will be mailed to the address you indicate as your Post-MIT physical address; again, do not list your current MIT address. 

  • If you select “Graduation plans are unknown” - your physical diploma will be held until you indicate how you would like to receive it, of the three previous options. You may contact the Registrar’s Office at any time with your name, MIT email address, and MIT ID Number to update your choice after the Online Degree Application closes by emailing Marti Ward, who manages Diplomas for the Registrar’s Office at: mward@mit.edu.  

For ALL institute requirements see the LibGuide

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