How to write a good (maths) Ph.D.

thesis

Melina A Freitag

Department of Mathematical Sciences

University of Bath

Postgraduate Away Day

3rd February 2012

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The purpose of a thesis

University regulations (the easy bit)

Content and structure (the harder bit)

Presentation and writing process

Make your life easier - some helpful LATEX

The defense

Summary

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Outline

The purpose of a thesis

University regulations (the easy bit)

Content and structure (the harder bit)

Presentation and writing process

Make your life easier - some helpful LATEX

The defense

Summary

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University requirements
A Ph.D. shall be awarded to a candidate who shall have
1. pursued a programme of study as prescribed under Regulation 16.5(b)
2. presented a thesis on the candidate’s advanced study and research which
satisfies the Board of Examiners as:
◦ making an original and significant contribution to knowledge
◦ giving evidence of originality of mind and critical judgement in a particular
subject
◦ containing material worthy of peer-reviewed publication
◦ being satisfactory in its literary and/or technical presentation and structure
with a full bibliography and references
◦ demonstrating an understanding of the context of the research: this must
include, as appropriate for the subject of the thesis, the scientific,
engineering, commercial and social contexts
3. and passed a viva voce examination conducted by the examiners on the
broader aspects of the field of research in addition to the subject of the
thesis...
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Outline

The purpose of a thesis

University regulations (the easy bit)

Content and structure (the harder bit)

Presentation and writing process

Make your life easier - some helpful LATEX

The defense

Summary

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University regulations for submitting a Ph.D. thesis

• For details see

http://www.bath.ac.uk/student-records/pgresources/

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University regulations for submitting a Ph.D. thesis

• For details see

http://www.bath.ac.uk/student-records/pgresources/
• Number of copies and submission procedure:
◦ about two months before submission - HD1 form.
◦ 3 soft bound copies to Graduate Office - HD2 form.
◦ hard bound copies and electronic submission to library only after the viva.

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University regulations for submitting a Ph.D. thesis

• Paper and layout - double or single sided.

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University regulations for submitting a Ph.D. thesis

• Paper and layout - double or single sided.

• Typeface and spacing - 11pt or 12pt, easy readable font.

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University regulations for submitting a Ph.D. thesis

• Paper and layout - double or single sided.

• Typeface and spacing - 11pt or 12pt, easy readable font.
• Numbering of pages.

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University regulations for submitting a Ph.D. thesis

• Paper and layout - double or single sided.

• Typeface and spacing - 11pt or 12pt, easy readable font.
• Numbering of pages.
• Title page and copyright declaration.

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University regulations for submitting a Ph.D. thesis

• Paper and layout - double or single sided.

• Typeface and spacing - 11pt or 12pt, easy readable font.
• Numbering of pages.
• Title page and copyright declaration.
• Table of contents and abstract/summary.

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University regulations for submitting a Ph.D. thesis

• Paper and layout - double or single sided.

• Typeface and spacing - 11pt or 12pt, easy readable font.
• Numbering of pages.
• Title page and copyright declaration.
• Table of contents and abstract/summary.
• Follow the University regulations for margin sizes/line
spacing/fonts/binding etc.

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Presentation and style

• Typical:
1. Title page (listing author, title, department, type of degree, year and
month of submission).
2. Declaration that work has not been used in another degree.
3. A copyright statement.
4. A list of notation.
5. A brief statement of author’s research career.
6. Acknowledgements and dedications.
7. Table of contents.
8. List of Figures.
9. List of Tables.
10. Abstract/Summary.

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Presentation and style

• Typical:
1. Title page (listing author, title, department, type of degree, year and
month of submission).
2. Declaration that work has not been used in another degree.
3. A copyright statement.
4. A list of notation.
5. A brief statement of author’s research career.
6. Acknowledgements and dedications.
7. Table of contents.
8. List of Figures.
9. List of Tables.
10. Abstract/Summary.
11. THE ACTUAL WORK

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Presentation and style

• Typical:
1. Title page (listing author, title, department, type of degree, year and
month of submission).
2. Declaration that work has not been used in another degree.
3. A copyright statement.
4. A list of notation.
5. A brief statement of author’s research career.
6. Acknowledgements and dedications.
7. Table of contents.
8. List of Figures.
9. List of Tables.
10. Abstract/Summary.
11. THE ACTUAL WORK
• Opening pages: indication which parts have been published.
• Optional: index.

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Outline

The purpose of a thesis

University regulations (the easy bit)

Content and structure (the harder bit)

Presentation and writing process

Make your life easier - some helpful LATEX

The defense

Summary

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Content

• Self-contained.

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Content

• Self-contained.
• May include more than one topic.

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Content

• Self-contained.
• May include more than one topic.
• Include more details than a paper.

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Content

• Self-contained.
• May include more than one topic.
• Include more details than a paper.
• It is like a book.

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Content

• Self-contained.
• May include more than one topic.
• Include more details than a paper.
• It is like a book.
• No unnecessary material. Most theses are too long.

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Content

• Self-contained.
• May include more than one topic.
• Include more details than a paper.
• It is like a book.
• No unnecessary material. Most theses are too long.
• Organisation and structure is important.

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Content

• Self-contained.
• May include more than one topic.
• Include more details than a paper.
• It is like a book.
• No unnecessary material. Most theses are too long.
• Organisation and structure is important.
• Who are you writing for? (your supervisor(s), internal and external
examiner)

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Plagiarism - DONT!

• If you copy text put it in quotation marks and cite the source.
• Do not copy proofs of theorems unless it is really necessary for the thesis.
• Your examiners will be particularly alert to plagiarism.

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Grammar, Spelling, Punctuation - DO!

• Use spell checkers!

• Ask a friend/fellow student or family member to read through parts of
your thesis.

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Structure

Clear communication of original ideas is most important!

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Structure

Clear communication of original ideas is most important!

Do not waffle!

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Structure
• Tell a story (Explain to someone (a mathematician) in 2-3 minutes what
your thesis is about).

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Structure
• Tell a story (Explain to someone (a mathematician) in 2-3 minutes what
your thesis is about).
• Give talks to practice your communication skills! Great speakers are
usually great writers, too!

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Structure
• Tell a story (Explain to someone (a mathematician) in 2-3 minutes what
your thesis is about).
• Give talks to practice your communication skills! Great speakers are
usually great writers, too!
• Make an outline early on.

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Structure
• Tell a story (Explain to someone (a mathematician) in 2-3 minutes what
your thesis is about).
• Give talks to practice your communication skills! Great speakers are
usually great writers, too!
• Make an outline early on.
• First chapter(s): describe the problem clearly; put it into context.

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Structure
• Tell a story (Explain to someone (a mathematician) in 2-3 minutes what
your thesis is about).
• Give talks to practice your communication skills! Great speakers are
usually great writers, too!
• Make an outline early on.
• First chapter(s): describe the problem clearly; put it into context.
• Demonstrate a sound knowledge of existing work, give a critical survey
(Literature review).

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Structure
• Tell a story (Explain to someone (a mathematician) in 2-3 minutes what
your thesis is about).
• Give talks to practice your communication skills! Great speakers are
usually great writers, too!
• Make an outline early on.
• First chapter(s): describe the problem clearly; put it into context.
• Demonstrate a sound knowledge of existing work, give a critical survey
(Literature review).
• What is new/original in your thesis? This should be the main part of
your thesis (3-4 Chapters).

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Structure
• Tell a story (Explain to someone (a mathematician) in 2-3 minutes what
your thesis is about).
• Give talks to practice your communication skills! Great speakers are
usually great writers, too!
• Make an outline early on.
• First chapter(s): describe the problem clearly; put it into context.
• Demonstrate a sound knowledge of existing work, give a critical survey
(Literature review).
• What is new/original in your thesis? This should be the main part of
your thesis (3-4 Chapters).
• For computational projects, normally a comparison with other methods is
required.

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Structure
• Tell a story (Explain to someone (a mathematician) in 2-3 minutes what
your thesis is about).
• Give talks to practice your communication skills! Great speakers are
usually great writers, too!
• Make an outline early on.
• First chapter(s): describe the problem clearly; put it into context.
• Demonstrate a sound knowledge of existing work, give a critical survey
(Literature review).
• What is new/original in your thesis? This should be the main part of
your thesis (3-4 Chapters).
• For computational projects, normally a comparison with other methods is
required.
• Conclusions: What have you done? Identify future research
directions/open problems.
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Structure (more detailed)

• Introduction Define what your research is about; justify why it is

important; explain your thesis structure.

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Structure (more detailed)

• Introduction Define what your research is about; justify why it is

important; explain your thesis structure.
• Background/Literature Review Put your research into context; give
literature.

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Structure (more detailed)

• Introduction Define what your research is about; justify why it is

important; explain your thesis structure.
• Background/Literature Review Put your research into context; give
literature.
• Methods Explain methods; theoretical approaches.
• Analysis/Results This will include your results. Experiments.
Comparison to other methods. Proofs of theorems.

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Structure (more detailed)

• Introduction Define what your research is about; justify why it is

important; explain your thesis structure.
• Background/Literature Review Put your research into context; give
literature.
• Methods Explain methods; theoretical approaches.
• Analysis/Results This will include your results. Experiments.
Comparison to other methods. Proofs of theorems.
• Interpretation/Discussion Justify your interpretations. Put them into
context.

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Structure (more detailed)

• Introduction Define what your research is about; justify why it is

important; explain your thesis structure.
• Background/Literature Review Put your research into context; give
literature.
• Methods Explain methods; theoretical approaches.
• Analysis/Results This will include your results. Experiments.
Comparison to other methods. Proofs of theorems.
• Interpretation/Discussion Justify your interpretations. Put them into
context.
• Conclusions Short conclusion. Future research.

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Outline

The purpose of a thesis

University regulations (the easy bit)

Content and structure (the harder bit)

Presentation and writing process

Make your life easier - some helpful LATEX

The defense

Summary

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Presentation and style

Make your thesis clear and enjoyable to read!

You do not want the reader to get angry or bored or both.

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Writing Process - The iterative process

• Start as early as possible.

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Writing Process - The iterative process

• Start as early as possible.

• You can begin to draft the first chapters in your early months, when you
start to become familiar with the problem - writing also helps to
understand!

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Writing Process - The iterative process

• Start as early as possible.

• You can begin to draft the first chapters in your early months, when you
start to become familiar with the problem - writing also helps to
understand!
• Publish papers during your time as a graduate student - so you just have
to edit them and put them together.

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Writing Process - The iterative process

• Start as early as possible.

• You can begin to draft the first chapters in your early months, when you
start to become familiar with the problem - writing also helps to
understand!
• Publish papers during your time as a graduate student - so you just have
to edit them and put them together.
• Use early reports (6 month/12 month) - of course they will probably be
rewritten, but it is better to start with something rather than an empty
page.

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Writing Process - The iterative process

• Start as early as possible.

• You can begin to draft the first chapters in your early months, when you
start to become familiar with the problem - writing also helps to
understand!
• Publish papers during your time as a graduate student - so you just have
to edit them and put them together.
• Use early reports (6 month/12 month) - of course they will probably be
rewritten, but it is better to start with something rather than an empty
page.
• Write background and survey material at an early stage - it keeps you
enthusiastic!

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Writing Process - The iterative process

• Start as early as possible.

• You can begin to draft the first chapters in your early months, when you
start to become familiar with the problem - writing also helps to
understand!
• Publish papers during your time as a graduate student - so you just have
to edit them and put them together.
• Use early reports (6 month/12 month) - of course they will probably be
rewritten, but it is better to start with something rather than an empty
page.
• Write background and survey material at an early stage - it keeps you
enthusiastic!
• A sooner rather than later writing also helps you to become familiar with
LATEX.

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Writing Process

• If you have not written up as you go along - plan at least 6 months for
writing up.

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Writing Process

• If you have not written up as you go along - plan at least 6 months for
writing up.
• Make a timetable.

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Writing Process

• If you have not written up as you go along - plan at least 6 months for
writing up.
• Make a timetable.
• What have you done? What do you still need to do?

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Writing Process

• If you have not written up as you go along - plan at least 6 months for
writing up.
• Make a timetable.
• What have you done? What do you still need to do?
• Fill in the gaps.

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Writing Process

• If you have not written up as you go along - plan at least 6 months for
writing up.
• Make a timetable.
• What have you done? What do you still need to do?
• Fill in the gaps.
• Thoroughly read and check before submission - have as many people read
it as possible.

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Writing Process

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Hints and tips for writing

• Try to analyse the work of writers/researchers you like.

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Hints and tips for writing

• Try to analyse the work of writers/researchers you like.

• Read a lot of books, maths books, maths theses, maths papers.

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Hints and tips for writing

• Try to analyse the work of writers/researchers you like.

• Read a lot of books, maths books, maths theses, maths papers.
• Keep a notebook of ideas.

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Hints and tips for writing

• Try to analyse the work of writers/researchers you like.

• Read a lot of books, maths books, maths theses, maths papers.
• Keep a notebook of ideas.
• Be constructively critical (but positive) of your own work.

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Hints and tips for writing

• Try to analyse the work of writers/researchers you like.

• Read a lot of books, maths books, maths theses, maths papers.
• Keep a notebook of ideas.
• Be constructively critical (but positive) of your own work.
• Set yourself short term targets.

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Hints and tips for writing

• Try to analyse the work of writers/researchers you like.

• Read a lot of books, maths books, maths theses, maths papers.
• Keep a notebook of ideas.
• Be constructively critical (but positive) of your own work.
• Set yourself short term targets.
• Keep what you have written for a couple of weeks and then re-read it.

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Outline

The purpose of a thesis

University regulations (the easy bit)

Content and structure (the harder bit)

Presentation and writing process

Make your life easier - some helpful LATEX

The defense

Summary

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Packages

• LATEX and text editors

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Packages

• LATEX and text editors

• baththesis.sty

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Packages

• LATEX and text editors

• baththesis.sty
• MakeIndex

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Packages

• LATEX and text editors

• baththesis.sty
• MakeIndex
• BibTEX

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Templates

• A useful template for writing a thesis which follows the University of

Bath regulations:
http://people.bath.ac.uk/mamamf/baththesis/
• Feel free to download the template and change it to use it for your own
thesis. It follows all the necessary University of Bath requirements.

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BibTEX

• collect your references for your bibliography at an early stage of your

studies - it will be difficult to hunt them down later.

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BibTEX

• collect your references for your bibliography at an early stage of your

studies - it will be difficult to hunt them down later.
• BibTEX - a wonderful LATEXprogram for collecting references in .bib files
which then can be used in LATEX.

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BibTEX

• collect your references for your bibliography at an early stage of your

studies - it will be difficult to hunt them down later.
• BibTEX - a wonderful LATEXprogram for collecting references in .bib files
which then can be used in LATEX.
• MathSciNet, Google Scholar, CiteSeer, Mendeley and others.

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Outline

The purpose of a thesis

University regulations (the easy bit)

Content and structure (the harder bit)

Presentation and writing process

Make your life easier - some helpful LATEX

The defense

Summary

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The Viva

• In the UK: normally you are asked questions.

• Possibly: short talk.
• Read your thesis.
• Opportunity to tell interested people about your research.

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Outline

The purpose of a thesis

University regulations (the easy bit)

Content and structure (the harder bit)

Presentation and writing process

Make your life easier - some helpful LATEX

The defense

Summary

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Summary/Homework

• Your thesis should tell a story (try it!).

• Think about some good maths papers/books you have read, what were
they doing well?
• Start as early as possible.
• Use baththesis.sty early on.
• Have a general structure (chapter titles/outline) in place early on.
• Make a timetable (set short term targets).
• (Re)-read your thesis as often as you can.
• Be positive.

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Know your work cycle!

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 N. J. Higham, Handbook of writing for the mathematical sciences,
Society for Industrial Mathematics, 1998.
D. Knuth, T. Larrabee, and P. Roberts, Mathematical writing,
no. 1193, Mathematical Assn of Amer, 1989.
S. Krantz, A primer of mathematical writing: Being a disquisition on
having your ideas recorded, typeset, published, read and appreciated,
Amer Mathematical Society, 1997.

Questions?

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