Instructions – TUCS Dissertations
Format of TUCS Dissertations
The format of the dissertations should follow the TUCS Publication Series document format, which means that the thesis should follow these guidelines:
- the dissertation should have the standard TUCS publication layout, including the TUCS logo and the logos of the three universities (the cover page can be different and will be made at TUCS)
- the page size is 176 * 250 mm (B5)
- suitable text width and height is about 120 * 200 mm
- a font size of 11 points is recommended
Style files
The material is to be provided in PDF-file, so the software used to create the material is of your own choise. However, we do recommend using LaTeX. We provide the following two style files for LaTeX and Microsoft Word, but thanks to longer traditions, the LaTeX style file is greatly better. You can also download here The Not So Short Introduction to LaTeX 2e, version 4.26 (by Tobias Oetiker, Hubert Partl, Irene Hyna and Elisabeth Schlegl, in September 25th, 2008).
Publishing the thesis
- Contact TUCS at early stage, so that we can help you with stylistic issues already well early in time. About two months before the defence would be a good time. The person to contact currently is Tomi "bgt" Mäntylä.
- If your thesis is an collection of articles, you need to deliver TUCS documents showing that you have the right to republish the articles. Foremostly look into getting the permissions for republication through paper print. Currently, free digital publication (like how TUCS promotes through the Finnish National Library provided service Doria) is relatively new and many publishers are yet to have decided on their attitude towards them. Due this, TUCS, like the University of Turku have agreed that the digital version of the thesis may be printed without all the articles, at it's minimum only including the introduction section, as long as the complete reference information is included.
- Once you have the printing permission from the faculty, TUCS will issue your thesis a number for the TUCS Dissertations series and will acquire the necessary ISBNs. At this point, the exact title and the exact format of the author's name on the thesis should be locked. Please, inform TUCS of the exact date upon which you received your printing permission.
- You should deliver the final version of the content 4 weeks before the defence. TUCS will ask for offers from printing companies and deliver the material. All material must be as PDF-files with no restrictions in the file.
- Doria publication agreement is signed between the student and TUCS. After signing, a copy is delivered for publication at the Doria service. For University of Turku it is elementary that this is done 10 days before the defence!
- For Åbo Akademi University students 150 pieces of paper copies are printed and for University of Turku 100 pieces. Two special copies are printed for the student and the opponent. For University of Turku, the digital publication is required. 10 days before the defence a given number of paper copies are to be delivered at certain locations at the involved university. For the University of Turku, also the digital version has to be published at this time in the Doria-service.
- For Åbo Akademi students, TUCS delivers on their behalf a request to Stiftelsen för Åbo Akademi that will pay the paper printing of the thesis.
TUCS requires two paper copies in addition to the other required distribution by the universities. One of these copies is archived permanently and the other is placed in the ICT-library collection.
It is possible for extra copies to be placed in the same order. The printing house will give the author a separate bill. Here you will save the initial costs of printing the books and it is also cheaper, as the cost per book for 100+n copies is less than the cost per book for n copies.
Note! Exceeding the timelimits in boldface above may lead into
your thesis not being ready for distribution in the time demanded by
your faculty. This may lead to your defence not being approved by your
faculty.
It is safer to be early than late. Do not schedule your defence too close
to the faculty meeting that decides on your printing permission.
University of Turku, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural sciences require 12 copies of your thesis delivered to them 10 days before the defence. The Library requires 4 copies and the Student Services 4 copies. The 6 copies to the National Library Freecopy Archives are delivered by the printing companies and not included in the 100 copies you receive.
Åbo Akademi University, Faculty of Technology require 6-12 copies of your thesis delivered to them 10 days before the defence. The Technical services require 26 copies and the Library 60 copies. The 6 copies to the National Library Freecopy Archives are delivered by the printing companies and not included in the 150 copies you receive.
More instructions of the public defence and the distribution of a doctoral thesis
- University of Turku
- Åbo Akademi University
Responsible person for the TUCS Dissertations at TUCS: Tomi "bgt" Mäntylä