Guidelines

for the
Preparation of
Dissertation for
M.Tech Programme

(RN Logo: Height 1.64, Width 1.75 Absolute)

MAY 2014

DEPARTMENT OF COMPUTER SCIENCE & ENGINEERING

RN COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY
KURUKSHETRA UNIVERSITY, KURUKSHETRA

Guidelines for Preparation of Dissertation

The following format is suggested for the outline of the M.Tech (CSE) Dissertation:

1.

STRUCTURE OF THE DISSERTATION

Three main parts of the dissertation can be easily identified. These include the preliminary
part, body of the dissertation, and reference and appendices (if any) as the concluding or
final part. The order of these items is as given below.

1.1

1.2

Preliminary Part

Title Page
Candidates Declaration
Certificate by the Supervisor
Acknowledgements (optional)
Abstract
Table of Contents
List of Symbols (if any)
List of Figures (if any)
List of Tables (if any)
List of Abbreviations (if any)

Body of the Text

Chapters of a dissertation may be broadly divided into 3 parts (i) introduction, literature
survey and identification of problem and issues (ii) statement, formulation and
presentation of the problem, solution approach (iii) implementation, results, discussion,
conclusions, and directions for future research.

1.2.1

Each part may be suitably divided into several chapters, and a chapter may be further
divided into several sections, sub-sections and sub-sub-sections.

Each chapter should be given an appropriate title.

Tables and figures in a chapter should be typed in title mode in single space in Times
New Roman with font size 12. The caption of tables should be placed directly above
the table whereas the caption of figures should be placed directly underneath the
figure in the very same page which refers to the contents they annotate.

Introduction
The title of chapter 1 shall be introduction. It shall justify and highlight the problem
proposed and scope of the work presented in the dissertation.

1.2.2 Review of Literature

This shall normally form the chapter 2 and shall present a critical appraisal of the
previous work published in the literature pertaining to the topic of the research. The
extent and emphasis of the chapter shall depend on the nature of the research.
1.2.3 Report on the present research
The reporting on the research shall be the presented in one or more chapters with
appropriate chapter titles:
1. Due importance shall be given to experimental setups, procedures/techniques adopted
and methodologies developed and adopted.
2. While adopted derivations / formulae should normally be presented in the text of these
chapters, extensive, detailed result in tabular and graphical forms may be presented in
Appendices.
3. Figures and tables should be presented immediately following their first mention in the
text. Short table and figures should be presented within the text, while large tables and
figures may be presented in the separate pages.
4. Equations should form separate lines with appropriate paragraph separation above and
below the equation line, with equation numbers flushed to the right. Equations must be
written in equation editor.
1.2.4 Results and Discussions
This shall form the penultimate chapter of the dissertation and shall include a thorough
evaluation of the research carried out and bring out the contributions from the study.
The discussion shall logically lead to inferences and conclusions as well as scope for
possible further future work.
1.2.5 Conclusions and Future work
This will be the final chapter of the dissertation. A brief report of the work carried out
shall form the first part of the chapter. Conclusions derived from the logical analysis
presented in the results and discussions. Chapter shall be presented and clearly
enumerated, each point stated separately. Scope for future work should be stated lucidly in
the last part of the chapter.

1.3

Concluding Part
References / Bibliography
Appendix or Appendices
Publications (if any)

1.3.1 References
This should follow the conclusion chapter. The candidates shall follow the style of
citation and style of listing in one of the standard journals.
References to journal papers should contain the name of the author(s), title of the paper,
name of the journal, volume number, issue number, particular pages (pp) and year of
publication. If there are more than three authors, it is enough to mention the name of the
first author followed by .et.al (meaning and others)
Example:
Benjamin Kuo and Martin Luther: An overview of chaotic systems, International Journal
of Control, Vol. 21, No 3, March 2004, pp 341-349. Or
Rober Franklin et. al. : An overview of chaotic systems, International Journal of Control,
Vol. 21, No 3, March 2004, pp 341-349.
Similarly conference papers should mention the name of author(s), title of the paper,
name of the conference, place in which the conference was held and date, month and year
of the conference along with the page numbers of the paper in the proceedings of the
conference.
Example:
Mahalanabis A K, Prasad S, Mohandas K P: Adaptive Deconvolution of Seismic Data,
IEEE International Conference on Computers Circuits and Signal Processing, Indian
Institute of Science, Bangalore, Dec 1998, pp 1025-1029
References to books should contain name of the author, title of the book, name of the
publisher, edition number, and year of publication. If possible, ISBN Number also can be
quoted.
Example
Griffths and Manuel: Introduction to Neuro-fuzzy Systems, Prentice Hall Inc, Edition 2,
1998.
Citation from websites should include the name(s) of author(s) (including the initials)
full title of the articles, website reference and when last accessed.
1.3.2 Appendices
If there is material that if included in the body of the dissertation would break up the flow
of reading or bore the reader unbearably, it is better to include it as an appendix. Some
items which are typically included in appendices are: major derivations or theoretical
developments, important and original computer programs, data files that are too large to

be represented simply in the results chapters, pictures or diagrams of results which are not
important enough to keep in the main text etc.
1.3.3 Publications by the Candidate
Articles, technical notes etc. generated on the basis of the topic of the dissertation
published by the candidate may be separately listed after the literature cited. This may also
be included in the contents. The candidate may also include reprints of his/ her
publications after the literature citation.

2.

DISSERTATION FORMAT

2.1

Paper Format

2.1.1 Quality
The dissertation shall be printed on white bond paper.
2.1.2 Paper Size
The size of the paper shall be standard A4.
2.1.3 Typesetting, Text processing and Printing
The text shall be printing employing LaserJet, the text having been processed using a
standard text processor. The standard font shall be Times New Roman of 12 pts with 1.5
line spacing.
2.1.4 Page Format
The printing sheets shall have the following writing area and margins:
Details

Font Type

Font size

Spacing

Chapter headings
with chapter number
on top

Times New Roman

14pt bold capital

Centered

Section headings

Times New Roman

12pt bold capital

Left adjusted

Subsection headings

Times New Roman

Left adjusted

Paragraph headings

Times New Roman

12pt bold sentence

case
12pt bold sentence
case

Left adjusted

Body of dissertation

Times New Roman

12pt

Justify aligned and 1.5

spacing for text and
double spacing for
equations.

Margins

Left Margin

1.5 inch

To accommodate
binding area.

Right Margin
Top

1.0 inch
2.0 inch
1.0 inch

Bottom

1.0 inch

Header

0.5 inch

Footer

0.5 inch

On pages on which
chapter begins.
Other pages.

2.1.5 Page numbering

The preliminary parts are numbered in roman numerals (i, ii, etc).
The first page of the first chapter (Introduction) onwards will be numbered in Arabic
numerals 1 2 3 etc at the bottom, centered.
.
2.1.6 Header
When the header style is chosen, the header can have the chapter number or section
number. On even number pages header includes chapter title with chapter number and on
the odd number pages header includes section title with section number.
2.1.7 Paragraph format
Vertical space between paragraphs shall be about 2.5 line spacing or the first line of each
paragraph should normally be indented by five characters or 12 mm. A candidate may,
however, choose not to indent if (s) he has provided sufficient paragraph separation.
A paragraph should normally comprise more than one line. A single line of a paragraph
shall be left at the top or bottom of a page (that is, no windows or orphans should be
left).
2.2

Numbering Sections, Subsections, Equations, Figures, and References etc.

A word on numbering scheme used in the dissertation must be in order. It is common
practice to use decimal numbering in the dissertation. If the chapter number is 2, the
section numbers will be 2.1, 2.2, 2.3 etc. The subsections in section 2.2 will be numbered
as 2.2.1, 2.2.2 etc. Unless essential, it is not necessary to use numbers to lower levels than
three stages. Headings of paragraphs below the subsections may be bold faced and in
sentence case.
Similarly, it is useful and convenient to number the figures also chapter-wise. The figures
in chapter 4 will be numbered Figure.4.1, Figure 4.2 etc. Similarly, the tables are also
numbered as Table 4.1 Table 4.2 etc. All figures and tables should have proper captions.
Usually the figure captions are written below the figure and table captions on top of the
table. All figures should have proper description by legends, title of the axes and any

other information to make the figures self- explanatory. Figures in color are not essential,
but if it is essential, can be given. If used, all copies submitted should have figures in
color.
The same numbering scheme can be used for equations also. Only thing to be
remembered is that references to the figures are made like Fig 4.2 and equations as
Eqn(5.8) and tables as Table 3.8. If there are some appendices, these can be numbered as
A1, A2, A3 etc. The equations in these appendices can be numbered as (A1.1), (A2.3) etc.
References can be numbered as 1, 2, 3 etc in the order in which they are referred to in the
body of the dissertation. A typical reference in the body of the dissertation will appear as
as stated in [3] or in [3] [5] etc.
2.3

Table / Figure Format

As far as possible table and figures should be presented in portrait style. Small size table
and figure (less than half of writing area of a page) should be incorporated within the text,
while larger ones may be presented in separate pages.

AUXILIARY FORMATS

3.1

Binding
The dissertation must be hard bound with black color with bound back i.e. the degree, the
name of the candidate and the year of submission shall also be embossed on the bound
(side) in golden.

3.2

Front Cover
The front cover shall contain the following details:
1. Full title of dissertation in 16 pt. size, times new roman, bold font properly centered and
positioned at the top.
2. Word Dissertation in 14 pt. size, times new roman, bold font properly centered.
3. Full name of the candidate in 14 pt. size font properly centered at the middle of the page.
4. A RN Logo: Height 1.64, Width 1.75 absolute emblem followed by the name of the
Department, name of the college and the year of submission, each in a separate line and
properly centered and located at the bottom of the page.
The title page of the dissertation and front cover of the bound copy should be the
same look like as given on the end of this section.

3.2.1

Lettering
All lettering shall be embossed in golden.

3.3

Blank Sheets
In addition to the white sheets (binding requirement) two white papers shall be put at the
beginning and end of the dissertation.

3.4

Title page
This shall be the first printed page of the dissertation and shall contain the submission
statement: The Dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the
degree, M.Tech, the name and roll no(leave space). of the candidate, name(s) of the
supervisor and co- supervisor (s) (if any), Department, Institute and year of submission.
Sample format is given below.

3.5

Abstract
The abstract must be concise and accurate summary of the research contained in the dissertation. It
states the problem, the methods of research, and the general conclusions, and should not contain
tables, graphs or illustrations.
It must not exceed 350 words and should contain relevant keywords that will make your
dissertation more likely to be found in any electronic search.

3.6

Table of Contents
The contents should list the chapter headings, sections and subsections of the different
chapters along with page numbers of each. It should be possible to get a complete picture
of the dissertation by looking at the contents. While the contents cannot be as brief as
listing only the chapter headings, it need not be as elaborate as to list all paragraph titles
within subsections.

3.6.1

List of Figures
List the number and captions of the figures with page numbers.

3.6.2

List of Tables
List the number and captions of the tables with page numbers.

3.6.3

Abbreviation Notation and Nomenclature

A complete and comprehensive list of all abbreviations, notations and nomenclature
including Greek alphabets with subscripts and superscripts shall be provided after the list
of tables figure.

3.7

Acknowledgements
The author of the dissertation can acknowledge the help and guidance received from
different persons in this section. The wording should be formal rather than flowery or
exaggerative as it is to be considered only as a method of recording the help received
rather than a way of pleasing someone who has helped. Any financial support received
from funding agencies in the preparation of the dissertation should be definitely stated
here.

SAMPLE DISSERTATION TITLE WITH A CONCISE AND

ACCURATE DESCRIPTION (TIMES NEW ROMAN, BOLD, 16pt.)
Dissertation (BOLD, 14pt.)
Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements
for the degree of (REGULAR, 14pt.)

Master of Technology (Computer Science & Engineering)

(TIMES NEW ROMAN, BOLD, 16pt.)

Submitted By (REGULAR, 14pt.)

Khush Raheja
(University Roll No.LEAVE BLANK)
(TIMES NEW ROMAN, BOLD, 14pt.)

Under the Supervision (REGULAR, 14pt.)

Mr. A.D. LEO
(A.P. in CSE Deptt.)
(TIMES NEW ROMAN, BOLD, 14pt.)

(RN Logo: Height 1.64, Width 1.75 Absolute)

DEPARTMENT OF COMPUTER SCIENCE & ENGINEERING

RN COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY
MAY, 2014
(TIMES NEW ROMAN, BOLD, 14pt.)
KURUKSHETRA UNIVERSITY, KURUKSHETRA

SAMPLE DISSERTATION TITLE WITH A CONCISE AND

ACCURATE DESCRIPTION
Dissertation
Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements
for the degree of

Master of Technology (Computer Science & Engineering)

Submitted By
Khush Raheja
(Roll No. 110125)
Under the Supervision
Mr. A.D. LEO
(A.P. in CSE Deptt.)

(RN Logo: Height 1.64, Width 1.75 Absolute)

DEPARTMENT OF COMPUTER SCIENCE & ENGINEERING

RN COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY
KURUKSHETRA UNIVERSITY, KURUKSHETRA

CANDIDATES DECLARATION
I (Name of Student) bearing roll number: ----- a student of M.Tech hereby declare that I own the
full responsibility for the information, results etc. provided in this dissertation titled Title of
dissertation submitted to kurukshetra University, kurukshetra for award of Master of
Technology (Computer Science & Engineering) degree. I have taken care all respect to honor
the intellectual property rights and have acknowledged the contributions of other for using them
in this academic purpose. I further declared that in case of any violation of intellectual property
right or copyright I as the candidate would be fully responsible for the same. My supervisor and
institute should not be held for full or partial violation of copyright if found at any stage of my
degree.

Name of the student

University Roll no.

Branch & Semester.

CERTIFICATE BY THE SUPERVISOR

It is certified that this dissertation report titled Title of dissertation by (Name of Student) in the
partial fulfillment of requirement for the award of Master of Technology (Computer Science &
Engineering) submitted to kurukshetra University, kurukshetra is a record of students own work
carried out under my supervision and guidance. This dissertation has not been submitted to any
other University or Institution for award of degree.
The work contained in this dissertation is at per university standards.
I wish him/her good success in life.

Name of the supervisor (with Designation)

Department of CSE
RN College of Engineering & Technology, Panipat