Dissertation Guidelines

A thesis must have an abstract. An abstract is a concise summary of the thesis, intending to inform the readers about its content. The abstract usually provides a brief description of research background, design, findings, and conclusion. An abstract should not have any headings, reference citations, or illustrations. The abstract should not be more than 300 words. In general, an abstract summarizes what have been done, what have been found, and what have been concluded in the research.

Declaration

Use the sample declaration page in Appendix as a reference.

Acknowledgements

Acknowledgement is used to express author’s appreciation for guidance and assistance from individuals and organizations.

Dedication

Dedication can be used if the author would like to affiliate this thesis to individuals

Table of Contents

A table of contents lists all the chapter headings as well as section headings and subheadings. Chapter headings are normally in uppercase, preceded by their numbers in numerals. Section headings and subheadings should normally be in lowercase except the initial letters. When preparing the table of contents, use the sample table of contents in Appendix as a reference.

List of Tables

The list of tables shows the names of all tables in the main body, together with the page number each table first appears. A sample list of tables is in Appendix. When formatting a table, please note:

• Table number and name are placed above the table and left justified.
• Table name should be concise and descriptive.
• Excessively large and complex tables that require multiple pages are discouraged. However, if necessary, the words “Table xx continued” should appear on the next page the table continues and the table number and name repeated.
• Table footers can be used to explain symbols, provide a note for a statistical analysis, define abbreviations, emphasize certain aspects of the table, or acknowledge sources.
• A table should appear closely after the point where it is first mentioned in the text.
• Tables should be numbered according to the chapter number. For example, Table 1.1, Table 1.2, etc. for tables in Chapter 1.0; Table 2.1, Table 2.2, etc. for tables in Chapter 2.0; and so on.

List of Figures

The list of figures shows all graphs, photographs, charts, and printed images in the main body, together with the page number each figure first appears. A sample list of figures is in Appendix.

When formatting a figure, please note:

• Figure name should be placed immediately below the figure, including the figure number (e.g., Figure 1.1).
• Figure name should be concise and descriptive.
• A figure should appear closely after the point where it is first mentioned in the text
• Figures should be numbered according to the chapter number. For example, Figure 1.1, Figure 1.2, etc. for figures in Chapter 1.0; Figure 2.1, Figure 2.2, etc. for figures in Chapter 2.0; and so on.

List of Abbreviations

When abbreviations and symbols are used in the thesis, a list of abbreviations should be provided. When abbreviations and symbols are used, they should be uniform and consistent throughout the thesis. The list of abbreviations serves as a ready reference to the readers who are not familiar with the abbreviations and symbols. The list should be sorted in alphabetical order. Universally recognized scientific symbols (cm, mm, kg, etc.) need not be listed. A sample list of abbreviations is in Appendix.

1.0 Introduction

This thesis preparation Handbook provides guidelines to help you prepare your thesis for submission purposes. Particularly, this handbook describes the organization and formatting of a thesis and provides sample documents which you may use a reference when preparing your thesis.

2.0 Organization of Thesis

Generally, a thesis consists of three major parts: preliminary pages, main body, and closing pages.

• Preliminary pages: title page, declaration, acknowledgements, dedication, abstract, table of contents, list of tables, list of figures, and list of abbreviations (note: the preliminary pages are numbered in lowercase Roman numerals)

• Main body: individual chapters and their sections

• Closing pages: references and appendices.

The organization of thesis can be as follows:

• Title Page
• Declaration
• Acknowledgements
• Dedication
• Abstract
• Table of Contents
• List of Tables
• List of Figures
• List of Abbreviations
• Main Body
• References
• Appendices

3.0 Main body

The main body of a thesis generally consists of five chapters: introduction, literature review, research methodology and design, data analysis and findings, conclusion and recommendations. However, please note that the chapters presented in this handbook follow the quantitative research method. If you follow the qualitative research method, please consult with your thesis supervisors.

A chapter can be divided into major sections and subsections, following the scheme as follows

• The major sections are numbered as first level (e.g. 1.0, 2.0, etc.).
• The subsections are numbered as second level (e.g. 1.1, 1.2, etc.), third 1evel (e.g. 1.1.2, 2.1.3, etc.), or fourth level (e.g. 1.1.1.1, 2.1.2.3, etc.), etc.

Chapter headings must be bold, uppercase, single-spacing, and centred. The chapter number and title must be separated into two lines and double-spacing.

4.0 References

The list of references provides pointers to the original literature cited in the thesis. Please follow the specific referencing style as prescribed by your university to prepare the list of references. The referencing style could be anything from Harvard, APA, Chicago, Vancouver, OSCOLA etc.

5.0 Appendices

Supplementary materials that are relevant to the thesis may be presented in the appendices. When preparing the appendices, please note:

• Number the appendices consecutively either alphabetically (e.g. Appendix A, Appendix B, etc.).
• List each appendix and its name separately in the Table of Contents.
• These pages are counted and numbered in Roman numerals.

6.0 Dissertation Formatting

6.1 Thesis length

Master of Science (Anti-aging, Regenerative Medicine And Medical Aesthetic) – minimum 5000 words.

6.2 Paper

The thesis must be printed on only one side of good quality A4 size (210mm x 297mm) white bond paper (80gsm). The same grade of paper must be used throughout the thesis.

6.3 Pagination

• All pages should be numbered centrally 0.5” or 1.25 cm at the bottom from the edge of each page. Print text or figures on only one side of each page. Only word-processed copy or good quality photocopies are acceptable.
• Pages should be numbered consecutively throughout the thesis, including the pages for tables, figures, and appendices.
• The preliminary pages before the main body must be numbered in Roman numerals (e.g. i, ii, iii, etc.). The title page should not be numbered although it is counted as page “i”. Page 1 begins with the first page of Chapter One (i.e. Introduction). Each chapter should begin on a new page.

6.4 Spacing

Double spacing should be used between lines. However, four-line spacing should be used between paragraphs and sections. Single spacing is permitted for the following:

• Quotations longer than three lines and in a block
• References or bibliography (except between two entries)
• Multi-line captions (e.g. tables or figures)
• Appendices
• Headings or subheadings

• A new paragraph should have at least two lines if at the bottom of a page. Otherwise, the new paragraph should start on a new page

6.5 Margins

The top, bottom, and right margins should be 1” or 2.5 cm in width. Left margin should be 2” or 5 cm in width to allow for loss in binding. Right margin of the text should be justified.

6.6 Typeface and Font Size

Unless specified otherwise, font type should be Times New Roman and font size should be 12-point. The same font type must be used throughout the thesis, including headings, subheadings, and page numbers. Text should not be scripted or italicized except for scientific names or terms in a different language. Bold print and uppercase should be used for headings. Footnotes and text in tables should not be less than 8-point. Equations and formulae must be typed.

7.0 Additional Notes

7.1 Footnotes

Footnotes may be numbered consecutively throughout the thesis. Font size should not be less than 8-point. Use single spacing for the same footnote; double spacing between two footnotes.

7.2 Unit of Measurement

Arabic numeral should be used before measurement units and should not be spelt out, e.g. 5 kg, not five kg. Exemption is given to the first word of the sentence.

7.3 Numbers

All numbers should be spelt out unless they are followed by units of measure. Numeral should be used for number “10” or more. If a sentence begins with a number, the number should be spelt out, e.g. “Three examples are provided.”

7.4 Levels of Headings

It is recommended to have not more than three levels of headings.

7.5 Important Note

Do not wait until the last minute to obtain an approval for your Master’s thesis. You need to do it well in advance to facilitate any changes provided by your supervisor / guide. If you do not factor in time required for correction, it will unnecessarily delay your degree.