Thesis Preparation

Overview

This document contains basic instructions for preparing your thesis for printing using LaTeX or a Microsoft Word Template.

Please consult the Office of Graduate Education Thesis Preparation Guide for non-printing instructions.

Details

LaTeX

LaTeX is a markup language to typeset documents. It excels at making math and the overall layout beautiful.

• LaTeX Introduction/Quick-start guide
• Introduction to Text Formatting with LaTeX
• Preparing a Thesis with LaTeX [PDF file, dated January 2021]

LaTeX Thesis Class

The thesis document class is used to produce either a master's or a doctoral thesis that meets the formatting requirements of the Graduate School.

• Save the file thesis.cls in the same directory as the other .tex files that make up your thesis, or put it in LaTeX's normal input path in a subfolder called "thesis".
  
  If your thesis includes algorithms, you may be interested in the algorithm2e package, consisting of the two files algorithm2e.sty and algorithm2e.pdf (the manual) available from the TeX archive website.

LaTeX Template Files

A set of thesis template (or prototype) files is available for a quick setup. Each file contains the commands to produce a particular part of a thesis.

• Short thesis (about 20-30 pages)
  For a short thesis (about 20-30 pages), use rpithes-short.tex (complete thesis).  This is set to produce a Master's thesis, but can be changed by un-commenting the title, as described in the file.
  
  
• Longer Thesis
  For a long thesis use rpithes.tex. This will typeset a Ph.D. thesis, but can be changed by including the rpititle-mas.tex file.  Instructions on how to do this are included in the rpithes.tex file.
  
  rpititle-mas.tex   or   rpititle-phd.tex
  rpiack.tex
  rpiabs.tex
  rpichap1.tex
  rpichap2.tex
  rpibib.tex
  rpiapp.tex
  rpi_seal.png (approved Rensselaer seal) 
  
  Zip archive (Includes all files)

Conversion from LaTeX to PDF

Please note that when you submit your thesis electronically, you will be asked for files in PDF format. Conversion from LaTeX to PDF is free and straightforward; for detailed instructions read Creating a PDF File from a LaTeX Thesis.

Microsoft Word - Rensselaer thesis template