THESIS
THE NICHOLLS STATE UNIVERSITY
DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
MASTERS DEGREE THESIS HANDBOOK
Revised Fall, 2013
This handbook is prepared for use by students preparing to complete requirements toward
the Master of Science in Marine and Environmental Biology at Nicholls State University.
Requirements herein have been established by University Graduate Studies and the
Department of Biological Sciences Graduate Committee.
Purpose of the Thesis
Demonstration of scientific proficiency and literacy through the reporting of original
research and scholarship.
General Characteristics of the Thesis
 Comprised of disciplined writing and data presentation, as a scientific journal

May describe more than one topic or investigative strategies

Reports all or most original data during student’s master’s degree training

Reviews work that led to degree

Reviews work that supports original findings

Clarifies problem researched: why selected, how answered, and what learned

Includes literature of background, supporting, and similar studies

Includes conclusions and synthesis

Abstract occasionally published separately

Specific University and Department Requirements for
Thesis Development and Review
Must abide by Nicholls State University Graduate Studies Thesis Policy and
Guidelines (revised in 2011), available from the Office of Graduate Studies
(http://www.nicholls.edu/graduate)

Thesis committee consists of a minimum of three members, approved by the
Graduate Coordinator, with a minimum of two members from the Department of
Biology and at least three members being University approved Graduate Faculty.
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o Complete Approval of Committee Members form (see specific format)

Thesis Proposal
o A formal proposal describing the scientific problem to be addressed during
the graduate study, the methods to be employed, and a prospectus of
results
o Powerpoint presentation of thesis proposal to committee members is
required
o Strongly recommended to be completed before research begins, following
selection of major professor and committee
o Requires approvals of all committee members, then submitted to Graduate
Coordinator

Final Examination
o Consists of committee oral examination on research and classes and a
public oral defense, which must be publicly announced two weeks prior to
date of thesis defense
o Requires completion of Final Examination Report for a Thesis (see
specific format)
o Deadlines: see current university calendar for specific dates

Final date to submit a thesis for thesis committee approval
typically eight days prior to first day of finals

Final date for filing a committee approved thesis with the School
of Graduate Studies typically the last class day of the semester

Content of a Thesis Manuscript
Title page (see specific format)

Certificate

Acknowledgements

Abstract

Table of Contents

List of Tables
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
List of Figures

List of Abbreviations

Body of Thesis (see specific format)

Literature Cited

Appendices

Biographical Sketch (200 word limit)

Curriculum Vitae

Formatting for Writing a Master’s Thesis
Font: Times New Roman, 12 point

Margins: 1.5” left, 1” right, top, and bottom

Page Numbering: Centered on bottom of page. Numbers should be Roman
numerals for first section and begin Arabic numbering at the Introduction section

Graphics: All photos, figures, tables, etc. must appear on own page in black and
white or grayscale

Must be word processed

Citations: Must follow name-date style of the Council of Biological Editors. See
CBE website (www.councilscienceeditors.org).

Printing a Master’s Thesis
All must be printed on a white, 25% minimum cotton, acid free paper

The Certificate, should be printed on same paper and appear in all printed copies
of the thesis

Printing supplies are the responsibility of the student unless otherwise noted by
major professor

A minimum of seven copies are needed; yourself, committee members (typically
three), library, Office of Graduate Studies, Department of Biology. Additional
copies can be made for the student’s personal use or additional committee
members

All Copies are bound at Ellender Memorial Library. Cost of binding is the
responsibility of the student unless otherwise noted by major professor.
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Certificate Format
Fill in your thesis title and your name in the paragraph. List your committee chair and
type member names and titles. This form is inserted as part of the thesis and needs to be
printed on the same paper type (white, 25% minimum cotton [rag] paper [acid-free]).
The student has the committee sign the form before being bound.
CERTIFICATE
This is to certify that the thesis entitled “__Thesis Title___” submitted for the
award of Master of Science to Nicholls State University is a record of authentic, original
research conducted by __Your Name__ under our supervision and guidance and that no
part of this thesis has been submitted for the award of any other degree, diploma,
fellowship, or other similar titles.
APPROVED:
SIGNATURE:
DATE:
Name and Title
Committee Chair
_____________________
______________
Name and Title
Committee Member
_____________________
______________
Name and Title
Committee Member
_____________________
______________
Name and Title
Committee Member
_____________________
______________
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Title Page Format
The following lines or clusters of lines should appear with single line spacing, center
justification, and separation of equal line spacing across the length of the page. For
example:
Title of Thesis
-About eight linesA Thesis
-About eight linesSubmitted to the Graduate Faculty
of Nicholls State University
in Partial Fulfillment
of the requirements for the Degree
Master of Science in Marine and Environmental Biology
-About eight linesBy
Your Name
Your previous degree(s), institution(s) granting degree(s), year(s) granted
-About eight linesSemester of Thesis Completion
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Two Acceptable Forms of Thesis Body
Traditional Style: Typically used for the majority of thesis publications when the
research encompasses one large study
 Abstract

Introduction

Materials and Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusions
Chapter Style: Typically used when reports from thesis research are journal published
prior to completion of final thesis manuscript, or when research is comprised of
multiple smaller studies.
 Introduction

Literature Review

Chapter One
o Abstract
o Introduction
o Materials and Methods
o Results and Discussion
o Literature Cited
o Table and Figures

Chapter Two
o Abstract
o Introduction
o Materials and Methods
o Results and Discussion
o Literature Cited
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o Table and Figures





Chapter Three, etc.

Complimentary Studies

Conclusions
Guide for Writing the Major Thesis Sections
Title: The title is the first thing people look at when trying to decide if a paper is
worth the time to continue reading. If the title does not grab their attention, they
are unlikely to read any further. The title should accurately reflect a paper’s
content. The best titles are usually short (a dozen words or less) and crisp.
Abstract: The abstract is the second thing a person looks at when trying to decide
if reading a paper is worth the time to continue reading. Most of the time an
abstract is the only section read and needs to provide all the necessary information
from the study. The abstract should include:
o Problem studied or hypothesis tested: Identify the problem or hypothesis
and explain why it is important. Indicate new data, concepts, or
interpretations.
o Pertinent methods: State methods used to achieve the results summarized
in the results (keep the methods brief unless a new or greatly improved
method is reported).
o Results: Emphasize the most important results, positive or negative.
o Conclusions: Summarize the major conclusions reached from your data.
o Purpose/Significance: Explain how, when, where, and by whom data or
interpretations can be applied.
o Literature citations, footnotes, abbreviations and acronyms (unless used
more than five times) should not be put into an abstract.
Introduction: An introduction should set the context/stage for the work
performed. The introduction should establish the purpose and importance of that
work and demonstrate the authors’ awareness of the most pertinent (and recent)
literature, including review articles. However, some literature might be reserved
for the discussion section if it is more appropriate. Lastly, the introduction should
clearly state the objectives of the study.
Methods: Methods should be brief and include:
o A description of the study site
o Sampling dates and durations
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

o Sampling schemes
o Research or experimental design
o Data analyses (including statistical probability of error used).
Write the method section in active voice. Previously published descriptions of
equipment and procedures may be cited by reference, unless they are in a source
of limited availability. Identify new or modified methods and explain them in
detail. The method section can be tedious to read, but it is better to be overly
explicit than to omit details needed by a reader to evaluate the data or repeat the
study. Clarity of expression is as important in the methods section as it is
elsewhere in the paper. If the experimental protocol and equipment are
particularly complex, they can be displayed in a table or figure. Similarly, the
numerous variables needed for some mathematical model or equation may be
listed and defined in a table. The methods section can be broken into subheadings
to keep different aspects of the experiment organized. These subheadings can be
used in the results as well to connect the experiment with the methods.
Results: Present results in a clear, simple, concise, and organized fashion (use
subheadings if necessary). Avoid overlapping text with information in tables and
figures; do not explain analyses that should have been described in the methods
section. Reserve comments on interpretation of results for the discussion section.
Display data in tables if precision is important and in a figure if trends are
observed. Although long lists of raw data are undesirable (they can be included in
an appendix), basic data should not be refined to the degree that a reader can not
verify the analyses or use the information for other purposes. Statistical testing is
an important part of most analyses, but it should not obscure biological insight.
Always try to describe the magnitude of the biological effect in addition to the
results of statistical analyses. For example, terms such as “fewer” or “smaller” tell
us little, and stating that something was “statistically different (P < 0.01)” without
giving the actual difference conveys little meaning to the reader.
Most importantly, the statistical designs and models used should be appropriate
for the study.
Discussion: The discussion provides an opportunity for interpreting data and
making literature comparisons. The value of a paper can be greatly enhanced by a
good discussion. Begin the discussion by synthesizing your results with regard to
your objectives and then relate your work to other literature and research. Do not
repeat results in this section, and comment on only the most important results.
The quality of a discussion is inversely related to redundancy, wordiness, and
unfounded speculation. The work of others, when cited, should be attributed
carefully and accurately. Transitions from evidence to intuition need explicit
identifications.
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
Conclusion: This section gives a chance to relate the results and major findings to
their use in various political, social and technical arenas. In addition, if
appropriate, proposals for further actions in research, management and politics are
made. Highlight the important shortcomings of your work that could be
addressed by further research, or to indicate directions that further work could
take.
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
Format of Literature Cited in a Master’s Thesis
Journal Article
Single Author
Author, A.B. Date. Article title. Journal Name. Volume(Issue):Pages
Hamilton, J.B. 2005. Distribution of anadromous fishes in the upper Klamath River
watershed prior to hydropower dams—a synthesis of the historical evidence.
Fisheries 30(4):10-19.
In-text citation:
(Author Year) (Hamilton 2005)
Anadromous fishes, such as Pacific Salmon, spend most of their lives in salt water and
migrate up freshwater rivers to spawn and die (Hamilton 2005).
Multiple Authors
Oren Z. and Y. Shai. 1996. A class of highly potent antibacterial peptides derived from
pardaxin, a pore-forming peptide isolated from Moses solefish Paradachirus
marmoratus. European Journal of Biochemistry. 237:303-310.
or
Perron, G.G., M. Zasloff, G. Bell. 2006. Experimental evolution of resistance to an
antimicrobial peptide. Proceedings: Biological Sciences. 273 (1583):251-256.
In-text citation:
(Author and Author Year) (Oren and Shai 1996)
Amines added at the C-termini of peptides increased alpha-helical content of peptides 2580% (Oren and Shai 1996).
or
(Author et al. Year) (Perron et al. 2005)
All P. flourescens lines showed a highly significant increase in growth at high antibiotic
concentration (Perron et al. 2006).

Book
Organization or Author A.A., Author B.B. Year. Title of book. Edition. Place of
publication: publisher. Pages
Schlesinger W.H. 1997. Biogeochemistry: an analysis of global change. 2nd ed. San
Diego (CA): Academic Press. 588 p.
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In-text citation:
(Author Year) (Schlesinger 1997)
Subsidence is a natural process that is expedited by anthropogenic activities, such as fluid
withdrawl, and contributes to coastal land loss (Schlesinger 1997).

Thesis/ Dissertation
Author A. Year. Title of thesis [degree and type of thesis]. [Place of publication]: Name
of University. City, State (only if needed to locate city)
Freeman, S. 1990. Molecular systematics and morphological evolution in the blackbirds.
Ph.D. dissertation, University of Washington, Seattle.
In-text citation:
(Author Year) (Freeman 1990)
Blackbirds from the northern range express the gene rarely (Freeman 1990).

Government Report
Government publication: author(s) or agency; year; title; agency; city; state, country
(only if needed to locate city). type and number of publication
EPA (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency). 1986. Quality criteria for water. EPA,
Washington, D.C. Report 440/5–86–001
or
Schick R.S., Edsall A.L., Lindley S.T. 2005. Historical and current distribution of Pacific
salmonids in the Central Valley, CA. Santa Cruz (CA): US Department of
Commerce, National Marine Fisheries Service, Santa Cruz Laboratory. Report nr
NOAA Technical Memorandum NMFS-SWFSC-369.
In-text citation:
(Organization Year) (EPA 1996)
92-95% of isolated were confirmed as E. coli (EPA 1996)
or
(Author Year) (Schick et al. 2005)
Salmons’ range has decreased substantially (Schick et al. 2005) but efforts are being
made to bolster local populations.
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
Conference Proceedings
Editor/Author A. Year. Title of paper. Paper presented at: Title of conference. Number
and name of conference; date; Place.
Bartlett D. and J. Smith, editors. 2005. GIS for coastal zone management. Paper
Presented at: CoastGIS ’01 Conference; 2001 June 18-20; Halifax, Canada.
In-text citation:
(Author and Author Date) (Bartlett and Smith 2005)
Subsidence is monitored by GIS imaging throughout coastal Louisiana (Bartlett and
Smith 2005).

Website
Author. Title of document [Internet]. Date of publication. Place (State): Publisher; [cited
Year Mon date]. Available from: URL
Smith, J.O. Birds commonly observed flying (Internet). 2008. New Jersey: Ornithological
Society of North America; (cited 2011, January 21). Available from:
www.osnabirds.org.
In-text citation:
(organization copyright date) (OSNA 2008)
Some birds have even been observed leaping from trees and not crashing back down to
earth (OSNA 2008).

List of Abbreviations and Formatting Issues
Numbers, Variables, and Statistical Elements
o Longitude and latitude: l48°N, 78°W (no periods).
o Percentages and degrees: use symbols (15%, not 15 percent).
o Fractions: may be spelled out (one-half, one-third) unless used with units of
measure (0.5 mm or 0.5 years).
o Decimal point: insert 0 before a decimal point (0.4, not .4).
o Dates: day, month, year (e.g., 6 October 1987).
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o Numbered lists: for the most part, avoid the use of numbered lists in the text.
“We used x, y, and z to take soil samples” rather than “We used three
techniques to take soil samples: (1) . . . , (2) . . . , and (3) . . . .
o Insert a space between numbers and the unit of measure (6 m, 14 mL).
o Define all variables used in an equation.
o With the exception of Greek letters, italicize all single-letter variables in
equations. Do not italicize variables with more than one letter (e.g., “RU”
meaning reproductive units as opposed to RU, in which R and U are separate
interacting variables).
o Complete words used as a variable should be lowercase (e.g., species). Each
letter in multiple-letter abbreviations that are not complete words should be
capitalized (e.g., acceptable, AMF for area of managed forest; unacceptable,
PATCH for patch area).
o Do not italicize Latin words or abbreviations such as i.e., e.g., et al., etc.

Abbreviations
p, probability
df, degrees of freedom
χ2, chi-square
FST, genetic variance contained in a subpopulation relative to the total genetic
variance
CI, confidence interval or credible interval
SE, standard error
SD, standard deviation, e.g., mean (SD) = 44% (3) or mean of 44% (SD 3). Do
not use ±.
mg L-1, milligrams per liter
m, meter
m s-1, meters per second
s, second(s)
min, minutes(s)
hr, hour(s)
d, day(s)
wk, week(s)
mo, month(s)
yr, year(s)
ln or loge, logarithm (base e)
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log10, logarithm (base 10)
approx., approximately
cal or J, calorie (Joule)
max., maximum
°C, Celsius
t, metric ton
coeff., coefficient
min., minimum
CI, a≤ x ≤a, confidence interval
CL, x ± a, confidence limits
Jan, Feb, etc., month names
R, correlation, simple
>, more than/greater than
R2, determination, multiple
R2, multiple correlation
r2, determination, simple
no., number (of items)
diam, diameter
ppt, parts per thousand
ppm, parts per million
ppb, parts per billion
dbh, diameter, breast height
N, S, E, W, NE, NW, etc., directions
%, percent
eq(s), equation(s)
N, population size
n, sample size
x, sample mean (of x)
g, gram
ha, hectare
ht, height
temp, temperature
vs., versus
kcal, kilocalorie
V, volt
LC50, lethal concentration, 50%
vol, Vol., volume: liquid, book
LD50, lethal dose, median
wt, weight
<, less than
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sex: ♀ female, ♂ male (in tables, figures, hybrid crosses)
T, Wilcoxon test
lim, limit
L, liter
15

Prefixes
giga (109)
mega (106)
kilo (103)
milli (10-3)
micro (10-6)
nano (10-9)
pico (10-12)
G
M
k
m
µ
n
P
Useful Websites
Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS): www.itis.gov
NSU Department of Biological Sciences: www.nicholls.edu/biology/
NSU Ellender Memorial Library: www.nicholls.edu/library/
Biological Journals and Abbreviations: http://home.ncifcrf.gov/research/bja/
Council of Biology Editors (CBE): http://www.councilscienceeditors.org
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Approval of Committee Members Format
Type names and titles. Present to committee members for signatures and submit
completed form to Graduate Coordinator for approval.
Department of Biological Sciences
Nicholls State University
Master of Science in Marine and Environmental Biology
APPROVAL OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Candidate
Date
Committee Members:
Name
Title
Chair
Signature
Name
Title
Signature
Name
Title
Signature
Name
Title
Signature
Approved:
Coordinator of Biology Graduate Program
Date
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Master’s Thesis Proposal Approval Format
Type names and titles. Present to committee members for signatures and submit to the
Graduate Coordinator prior to beginning your research (http://www.nicholls.edu/biology_
graduate/policies-and-forms).
Nicholls State University
Master of Science in
Marine and Environmental Biology
Master’s Thesis Proposal
Submitted by Your Name
and approved by Committee Members
_______________________________ Date_______________
Advisor, Position
_______________________________ Date_______________
Committee Member, Position
_______________________________ Date_______________
Committee Member, Position
_______________________________ Date_______________
Committee Member, Position
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Final Examination Report for Thesis Format
Type names and titles of your thesis committee. The student has the committee sign the form at the end of
the oral exam and gives it to the Graduate Coordinator. Should be printed on official Nicholls State
University letterhead (http://www.nicholls.edu/biology_graduate/policies-and-forms).
Graduate Studies
FINAL EXAMINATION REPORT FOR THESIS
Candidate: ________________
Student ID: ________________
College of Arts and Sciences
The candidate has successfully passed the final examination of the research:
Name:
Title:
Signature____________________
Name:
Title:
Signature____________________
Name:
Title:
Signature____________________
Approved:
_________________________
Aaron Pierce, Ph. D.
Graduate Program Coordinator
_______________
Date
_________________________
Quenton Fontenot, Ph. D.
Head, Department of Biological Sciences
_______________
Date
_________________________
Dr. John Doucet, Ph.D.
Dean, College of Arts and Sciences
_______________
Date
_________________________
Dr. DesLey Plaisance, Ph.D
Director of Graduate Studies
_______________
Date
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Report of Thesis Defense Results Format
Type names and titles of your thesis committee. The student has the committee sign the form at the end of
the oral exam and given to the Graduate Coordinator. Should be printed on official Nicholls State
University letterhead (http://www.nicholls.edu/biology_
graduate/policies-and-forms).
The Graduate School
NICHOLLS STATE UNIVERSITY
COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES
Department of Biological Sciences
Report of Thesis Defense Results
TO:
Director of The Graduate School
Date___________________
FROM: Dr. Aaron Pierce, Coordinator of Graduate Studies in Marine and Environmental
Biology
Student ______________________________________________
First Name
Middle
_______________________
Last Name
ID .#
On this date_____________________ has completed the graduate Thesis Defense for the:
( ) Master’s Degree
It has been determined by the committee members named below that the student has:
( ) Passed without dissenting vote(s)
( ) Passed with one or more dissenting votes
( ) Failed
COMMITTEE:
Name: ___________________________
Signature_______________________________
Name: ___________________________
Signature_______________________________
Name: ___________________________
Signature_______________________________
Name: ___________________________
Signature_______________________________
Application for Graduation Form
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Obtain an original form from the Dean’s office. Fill out the form and get your committee
chair’s signature. Then get the department head’s signature and return it to the Dean’s
office. DO NOT USE THIS PHOTOCOPIED FORM.
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Marine and Environmental Biology Master’s Degree Checklist
Committee selection.
□ During first semester, form a committee (three to five members).
□ Committee must have a minimum of three approved Graduate Faculty.
□ Two members must be from Nicholls graduate faculty.
□ Fill out, sign, and have committee sign Approval of Committee Members form
Proposal.
□ Written research proposal presented to committee members for review during
second semester.
□ Hold a formal proposal defense meeting for committee.
□ The accepted proposal and the Approval of a Thesis Proposal form should be
signed by committee members.
□ Submit signed proposal and Approval form to Biology Graduate Coordinator.
Research.
□ Register for the thesis research course in the major department.
Thesis.
□ Thesis Policy and Guidelines and all departmental requirements have been
followed regarding format (margins, font, style manual, etc.), included pages and
their order, paper weight, etc.
□ Include Certificate form to each copy of thesis.
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□ Submit thesis to committee at least two weeks prior to scheduled defense (to be
discussed next).
□ All corrections of thesis are made and submitted to the committee for approval.
The deadline is in the University calendar as “Final date to submit a thesis for
approval.”
Final Exam.
□ Student schedules a meeting for defense of thesis. Present will be committee and
will be open to public.
□ Oral comprehensive exam will be given to the student in private after presentation
to public.
□ Thesis is successfully defended.
□ Final Examination Report for a Thesis is signed by committee and dean.
□ Have committee members sign Report of Thesis Defense Results and turn in to
Biology Graduate Coordinator.
□ Thesis signature page is signed by committee members.
Submission of Thesis.
□ Submit approved thesis in final form to the Director of Graduate Studies for
signature. The deadline is in the University calendar as “Final date for filing an
approved thesis.”
□ Copy completed thesis for binding. A minimum of 7 copies must be submitted;
yourself, committee members (typically three), library, Office of Graduate
Studies, Department of Biology. Additional personal copies may be submitted.
□ Copies are taken to Danny Gorr (x4676) on the third floor of the Library for
binding. An account will be opened with the bindery in the name of the student.
□ Complete Thesis Duplication Release Form from Library
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□ Receive and pay invoice received from the bindery. Payment will be made
directly to the bindery.
□ When the bound thesis is received by the Library, the student will be notified.
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