DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES College of Science University of Santo Tomas

Espaa, Manila 1015, Philippines Telephone No: 406-1611 (loc. 8297)

Biology Seminar 601 (BioSem 601) THESIS PROPOSAL FORMAT 1. Title Page
A one-page part of the thesis proposal containing the following information: Title of the proposed study Prescribed Title Page Statements Class Section and group number Complete names of the thesis proposal proponents Submission date All entries in the Title Page should be written in a centered format, Times New Roman 12 (except for the title of the proposal using font 14, bold) The Title Page is counted (and assumed) as page i (do not print this page number) Refer to Appendix A for a sample of Title Page

2. Recommendation for Pre-Oral Defense (Thesis Proposal Defense)

A letter of recommendation signed by the Biology Seminar 601 professors/instructors indicating the title of the study and the names of the proponents. Signature of the professors/instructors would mean that the thesis proposal have been properly reviewed in terms of content and format. This part of the thesis proposal is counted as page ii Refer to Appendix B for a sample of Recommendation for Pre-Oral Defense

3. Table of Contents
A list of chapters, subject headings and subheadings of your thesis with their page numbers Include in the Table of Contents the references and appendices with corresponding pages This part of the thesis proposal starts with page number iii.

4. Introduction
Label the Introduction as Chapter 1 of the thesis proposal Start your pagination using Arabic numerals on this part of the proposal. The introduction will lead your readers into your paper and give them an idea of what to expect. A good introduction should be engaging to your readers and should be written in broad general statements. The introduction is composed of the following parts:

1.1 Background of the Study A part of the introduction composed of 3-4 short paragraphs describing the context of the research, a short summary of what is known about the topic, and how the proposal can contribute to current knowledge. Because the introduction leads your reader into your document, begin with a general statement about the topic before moving on to specific issues The paragraphs should be linked to each other.

1.2 Statement of the Problem A short paragraph stating the current problem in the field of study based on the described background of the study. This part identifies and explains the science problem or the knowledge gap why the proposed study needs to be done. 1.3 Objectives of the Study Statement of the aims of the study. Divided into general and specific objectives. Specific objectives should be numbered. The objectives of the study should be the main basis in performing the experiments in the methodology. Note that the objectives should eventually be answered in the conclusion. 1.4 Significance of the Study A short one paragraph part of the thesis proposal that explains the rationale and the possible contribution of the study in the existing body of knowledge. 1.5 Scope and Limitations Explains the boundaries of the proposed study. It is a general presentation of what are and what are not included in the study.

5. Review of Related Literatures

Label the Review of Related Literatures as Chapter 2 of the thesis proposal. The Review of Related Literatures is an extensive and up-to-date assessment of experimental results published by previous researchers along your topic of interest. In preparing the literature review, your objective is to convey to your reader what information has been established on a particular topic, and what their strengths and weaknesses. It is important to note that a literature review is NOT just a descriptive list of the materials available, or a set of summaries but it is your personal appraisal of published materials. An excellent literature review must be organized around and related directly to the thesis or research question you are developing. The review must synthesize results into a summary of what is and is not known. It should identify areas of controversy in the literature; and formulate questions that need further research. The Review of Related Literatures is a piece of comprehensive discursive prose, not a list describing or summarizing one piece of literature after another. Organize the literature review into sections that present themes or identify trends, including relevant theory. Synthesize and evaluate all literatures gathered according to the guiding concept of your thesis or research question. The review of related literatures should be a well integrated document in which the material is organized under headings and subheadings which follow one another in a logical order. Determine where your sources would be best placed in your outline. Outlining your materials maybe done in any of the following: Chronological: according to when they were published. By Trend: according to eras within a period. Thematic: organized around a topic or issue. Methodological: focuses on the methods of the researcher or writer. Properly cite the authors of all information included in the review of related literature. Use the author-date method of in-text citation. Examples: Simeon, 2009 (for single author) Simeon and Dimaano, 2009 (for two authors) Simeon et al., 2009 (for three or more authors) Simeon E, 2009 or Simeon K, 2009 (for references with the same authors surname)

While the literature review presents others' ideas, your voice (the writer's) should remain front and center. It is recommended to weave (integrate) the information from references into their own text. Maintain their own voice by starting and ending the paragraph with your own ideas and your own words. The sources (reference materials) should simply support what you are trying to discuss. Use primary information from scientific journals as reference materials. Avoid using books and internet materials as references.

6. Methodology
Label the Methodology as Chapter 3 of the thesis proposal. A detailed description (in paragraph form) of experiments and activities to be conducted. Note that sentences should be expressed in the future tense. If an experiment follows or is adapted from previous experiments, properly cite authors of the reference materials. If an experiment will utilize subject questionnaires, samples of such should be included in the research proposal as a part of the Appendix. If an experiment will require the approval of certain agencies, institutions, committees or individual experts, a copy of the letter should be provided as a part of the Appendix.

7. References
Label the References as Chapter 4 of the thesis proposal. A list of all reference materials of the research proposal. It provides the information necessary for a reader to locate and retrieve any source you cite in the body of the research proposal. Each source you cite in the paper must appear in your reference list; likewise, each entry in the reference list must be cited in your text. Use the following format in writing references: Journal Paper - One author: Ramos, J.D.A. (2007). Immunoglobulin E binding activity of recombinant and native Blo t 11 allergens. Acta Manila, 55:1-8. Journal paper - Two authors: De Guia, R. and Ramos, J.D.A. (2010). The -590C/T IL4 single-nucleotide polymorphism as a genetic factor of atopic allergy. International Journal of Molecular Epidemiology and Genetics, 1:67-73. Journal Paper - More than two authors: Cheong, N., Ramos, J.D.A., Tang, C.Y., Chng, H.K., Yao, R., Liang Z., Lee, B.W., Chua, K.Y. (2009). Mite amylase from Blomia tropicalis (Blo t 4): differential allergenicity linked to geographical regions. International Archives of Allergy and Immunology, 149:25-32. Journal Paper - Organization as an Author: World Allergy Organization (2009). Sub-lingual immunotherapy: World Allergy Organization Position Paper. Allergy, 64:1-59. Article from newspaper or magazine: Schultz, S. (2005, December 28). Calls made to strengthen state energy policies. The Country Today, pp. 1A, 2A. Book Chapter: Chua, K.Y., Ramos, J.D.A., Cheong, N (2008). Production of monoclonal antibody by DNA immunization with electroporation. In S. Li (Ed) Electroporation protocols: preclinical and clinical gene medicine. pp 509520. Humana Press, 2008, NJ, USA. Book: Calfee, R. C., & Valencia, R. R. (1991). APA guide to preparing manuscripts for journal publication. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.

8. Gantt Chart
A bar chart that illustrates the schedule (in months) of major activities/experiments proposed in the entire study. The activities should be arranged following the order of experiments in the Methodology. Schedule of activities/experiments may overlap provided the experiments that overlap are feasible for parallel conduct of experimentations. Include schedule for manuscript writing and Oral defense. Example: Activities Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb
Acclimation Immunization Assay 1 Assay2 Analysis of Results Manuscript writing Thesis Defense

9. Budget Proposal
Summary of proposed budget based on existing prices of material and reagents.

10. Appendix
Includes sample questionnaires, letter to concerned agencies or experts related to the conduct of the proposed experiments, and other materials/information not included in the body of the text.

Appendix A Sample of UST-CS DBS Thesis Proposal Title Page

Preliminary Study of the Acarofauna and Allergenicity of House Dust Mites in Houses of Selected Allergic Patients in Metro Manila

A Research Paper Proposal Submitted to the Department of Biological Sciences College of Science University of Santo Tomas

In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements in Biology Seminar 601 for the Degree of Bachelor of Science in Biology

3 Biology 1 Group 1 Zelda Sue A. Concepcion Beverly Ann P. Pineda Elizabeth L. Romano Julius Bryan G. Saep Maria Jennelyn Rose M. Tagura

February 2005

Appendix B Sample of UST-CS DBS Recommendation for Pre-Oral Defense

Recommendation for Pre-Oral Defense

The research proposal entitled Preliminary Study of the Acarofauna and Allergenicity of House Dust Mites in Houses of Selected Allergic Patients in Metro Manila proposed by Zelda Sue
A. Concepcion, Beverly Ann P. Pineda, Elizabeth L. Romano, Julius Bryan G. Saep and Maria Jennelyn Rose M. Tagura in partial fulfillment of the requirements in Biology Seminar 601 (BioSem 601) for the Degree of Bachelor of Science in Biology is hereby recommended for Pre-Oral Defense.

A/Prof. SONIA N. JAVIER, M.Sc. BioSem 601 Adviser Date:________________________

A/Prof. GIL C. CAUYAN, M.Sc. BioSem 601 Adviser Date:_______________________

Prof. JUAN DELA CRUZ, MD, Ph.D. Interim Research Adviser

Date:_______________________

A/Prof. ROSIE S. MADULID, M.Sc. Chair Department of Biological Sciences UST-College of Science Date:_______________________