(Adopted at the Presidents’ Meeting on Jan 17, 2013)
Degree thesis/dissertation directly reflects a student’s scientific research achievements, and serves as major basis to evaluate the applicant’s academic level and to confer the academic degrees. It is also important literature in scientific research. University of Chinese Academy of Sciences Degree Thesis/Dissertation Guidelines (hereafter referred to as the Guidelines) were formulated based on practices at University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS) with reference to national standards including Format for scientific and technical reports，dissertations and scientific papers（GB/T 7713-1987）, Presentation of degree theses and dissertations （GB/T 7713.1-2006）and Rules for Bibliography and References（GB7714-87）.
I General Requirements for Degree Thesis/Dissertation
Degree thesis/dissertation shall be one (or a series of) complete and systematic academic paper(s). Degree theses/dissertations shall be conducted and accomplished independently by applicants with guidance of supervisors. Applicants shall not copy or plagiarize research results of others and shall indicate sources of reference for both direct and indirect citations. Individual(s) or group(s) with major contributions to the degree thesis/dissertation shall be indicated properly. Degree theses/dissertations shall have clear points, sound reasoning, proper arguments, reliable data, clear structures, correct vocabulary and smooth language for expression. Tables, charts, formulas and units of measurements used shall meet standard requirements.
II Academic Requirements of Degree Thesis/Dissertation
For Master’s degree thesis, a topic of practical value in basic science or applied science shall be selected. The thesis shall embody new and original ideas on the chosen research topic. Furthermore, the thesis shall manifest the postgraduates’ firm grasp of basic theories and systematic, specialized knowledge in the discipline concerned, and the ability to undertake scientific research or independently to engage in a special technical work.
For Doctor’s Degree dissertation, a topic in international frontier research disciplines or the topic of great significance to national economic and social development shall be chosen. In the dissertation, innovation or advancement in science and expertise shall be emphasized. In addition, the dissertation shall manifest the graduate students’ firm and comprehensive grasp of basic theories, profound and systematic specialized knowledge in the discipline concerned and their ability to undertake independent scientific research.
III Language Requirements
Graduate students (excluding international graduate students and foreign language studies graduate students) shall write the thesis/dissertation in simplified Chinese characters in line with List of Commonly Used Characters in Modern Chinese promulgated by China’s State Council. The degree thesis/dissertation shall use measurement units in accordance with official requirements. Terminologies, symbols and codes applied shall be uniform throughout the thesis/dissertation and conform to the standardization requirements.
International graduate students studying in China can write the degree thesis/dissertation in either Chinese or English. But Chinese cover and detailed abstract in Chinese shall be included. As for graduate students majoring in foreign languages, degree thesis/dissertation shall be written in the language they study, with abstracts written in both Chinese and the language concerned.
To facilitate international cooperation and exchanges, a copy of degree thesis/dissertation in English or other language(s) can be included.
IV Degree Thesis/Dissertation Structure
In general, a degree thesis/dissertation shall include the following parts: Chinese cover, English cover, acknowledgements, Chinese abstract, English abstract, table of contents, the main body, bibliography, appendix, author’s resume and a list of published papers and research results during graduate study.
1. The title (Chinese) shall briefly offer the core viewpoints, normally with less than 25 Chinese words (characters). The English title shall be less than 150 letters with subtitles if necessary.
2. Thesis/dissertation abstracts shall include both Chinese and English versions. The abstracts shall briefly summarize the main contents of the thesis/dissertation and shall explain the purpose, research subject, methods, findings and conclusions of the paper. Innovative achievements and new propositions shall be highlighted. Equations, figures or tables are not recommended and citations not needed. English abstract shall correspond to the Chinese version in content.
To facilitate literature and document indexing, 3 to 5 relevant keywords (words or terminologies) chosen from the thesis/dissertation shall be given immediately after the abstracts to highlight the main viewpoints of the thesis/dissertation.
3. The thesis/dissertation main body part includes Introduction, Main Body and Conclusion, etc.
(1). Introduction. The Introduction gives the background information on the chosen subject and explains the significance of the views presented. This part shall include literature review on previous research in this area, dissertation question(s), main theory (or theories) and method(s), logic of reasoning and the dissertation structure. The Introduction shall be written in a separate chapter and shall be elaborated and shall not be a duplicate of thesis/dissertation abstract.
(2). Thesis/Dissertation main body. Different majors/subjects will lead to variance in topic selection, research methods and presentation of the findings in the Main Body. Thus no uniform requirement shall be stipulated for this part. The writings shall strictly follow the internationally accepted academic standards and shall have proper logic, effective reasoning and reliable arguments, supplemented by faithful facts, clear structure, and also concise and comprehensible language.
(3). Conclusion. The Conclusion summarizes the major findings of the thesis/dissertation clearly, concisely, accurately and completely. It shall also contain the innovative aspects of the research and the prediction or evaluation on the dissertation’ academic and application value. Graduate students shall state unsolved problems in research and provide assumptions and suggestions for further research. The postgraduate’s own research achievements shall be distinguished from others’.
4. Bibliography/references/works cited is required at the end of the thesis/dissertation in a rigorous, realistic and scientific research approach. Any citation, reference or borrowing of others’ research results or views shall be included at the end of thesis/dissertation (after the dissertation main body) according to citation requirements of different disciplines. Direct quotations and indirect citations shall be distinguished and marked with proper labels.
V Printing and Binding Requirements for Degree Thesis/Dissertation
Degree thesis/dissertation shall be printed or copied in A4 standard paper (210 mm×297 mm) and then be bound. Double-sided printing must be used starting from the Chinese abstract. Contents before the Chinese abstract shall be printed one-sidedly.
The thesis/dissertation shall be bound in string or hot glue and shall not use staplers.
Uniform thesis/dissertation covers of UCAS shall be adopted (for template, see the Appendix). Cover paper shall weigh around 150 grams and printing quality shall be guaranteed to ensure good quality printing and clear thesis/dissertation cover. In addition, red cover shall be used for doctor’s degree dissertation and blue for master’s degree thesis.
VI Submission, Preservation and Use of Degree Thesis/Dissertation
Degree applicants shall submit both hard and soft copies identical in format and contents to UCAS. UCAS has rights to keep the copies on file and provide catalogue indexing and reading service. UCAS can keep degree thesis/dissertation through photocopying, miniature, digitization and other methods of copying. Research institutes of Chinese Academy of Sciences and UCAS shall protect the thesis/dissertation’ intellectual property rights. Degree thesis/dissertation in confidentiality shall comply with this regulation after decryption.
VII The Guidelines come into force as of the date of issuance. UCAS Academic Degree Evaluation Committee reserves the right of final explanation. Further explanation can be requested at Academic Degree Office.
Attachment is the detailed requirements and format samples of UCAS dissertation.
